No Broadway Cares tix for HELLO DOLLY?

I put in a request a couple of months ago for Hello Dolly tickets through Broadway Cares. As many of you know, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS sells house seats to Broadway shows at a 100% markup. I'm coming to NYC for my once-a-year trip. I'd rather spend $500 or more per ticket for a sold out show with the money going to Broadway Cares than pay a scalper.

Imagine my surprise when I get an email from Broadway Cares telling me that the producers of Broadway Cares did not allot any tickets to them. It is a shame that I have to pay a scalper hundreds of dollars per ticket instead of the money going to a good charity. I hope the producers are reading this because they really should have saved house seats for this worthy charity instead of having many of the tickets go to scalpers.

After the show Saturday night they made no Broadway Cares announcement nor had cast members collecting money afterward.

DEH and Sunday in the Park both had this and were selling signed items. I found it weird - they could make a ton of $$$ selling signed posters. Sunday was selling Jake's Act 1 drawings for $750/each and they sold out within 5 minutes.

PianoMann said: "sppunk said: "After the show Saturday night they made no Broadway Cares announcement nor had cast members collecting money afterward.

DEH and Sunday in the Park both had this and were selling signed items. I found it weird - they could make a ton of $$$ selling signed posters. Sunday was selling Jake's Act 1 drawings for $750/each and they sold out within 5 minutes."

Shows in previews almost never sell signed merchandise for BCEFA. If they open during the collection period, many then opt to begin selling signed posters, etc.



"

Interesting. Any particular reason why?

Is there some type of contractual deal between it and producers?

sppunk said: "PianoMann said: "sppunk said: "After the show Saturday night they made no Broadway Cares announcement nor had cast members collecting money afterward.

DEH and Sunday in the Park both had this and were selling signed items. I found it weird - they could make a ton of $$$ selling signed posters. Sunday was selling Jake's Act 1 drawings for $750/each and they sold out within 5 minutes."

Shows in previews almost never sell signed merchandise for BCEFA. If they open during the collection period, many then opt to begin selling signed posters, etc.



"

Interesting. Any particular reason why?

Is there some type of contractual deal between it and producers?"

I'm sure there are many others on the board who could answer this question accurately, so please correct me if I'm wrong, but I always assumed it's because shows have so much to focus on logistically during previews and don't have the time to dedicate to signing merchandise to sell, especially for shows with larger casts. There could be another, more formal reason, but I'm not aware of it.

Even the cancellation line seats when I went were second to last row of side orchestra. I would have thought they'd be more center orch but I guess not.

I do notice Hello Dolly gradually release a few premium tickets as the performance comes closer so you can still buy a ticket without going through the scalper route.

I sat next to Beanie Feldstein (Minnie Fay)'s godmother when I saw the matinee last Wednesday. She told me they had to get tickets on stud hub as Beanie was told there was no house seats to be found.

If I had to guess, producers were holding off on house seats for early performances, just in case the show was bombing and they didn't want word to spread, especially when you consider that she show is having a over month of previews, instead of the usual 2-3 weeks. Then they have to hold tickets for Tony Voters, then the Summer swing. My best guess is that house seats will be made be available again come fall.

ljay889 said: " Is Sunday selling a signed poster? If so, how much? "

Yes, for $200. I bought one on Sunday and it's absolutely beautiful!

ljay889 said: "PianoMann said: "ljay889 said: " Is Sunday selling a signed poster? If so, how much? "

Yes, for $200. I bought one on Sunday and it's absolutely beautiful!"



Thank you!"

Any time! That's the most I've ever spent on a BCEFA item, but this one seemed so worth it.

If you're willing to spend $500 more over the cost of a regular ticket, you don't need to worry about scalpers, just buy a premium seat.

Must got DOLLY tickets for my birthday in August. If I have to grow old, it'll be at the Harmonica Gardens!

bdn223, none of that is the case. Scott Rudin shows never have house seats in previews, regardless of how the show is doing. It's been his practice for years.