OTHER DESERT CITIES 2026 Previews — Page 2

Auggie27 said: ". I consider Rabe's role the trickiest, with the biggest journey (it's arguably her play, ultimately). Assuming Rabe has nailed it, but would be intrigued to hear more on her approach."

I've always thought so too, about it being Brooke's play, and Elizabeth Marvel's performance from the original production is what I remember most. Because of that, it initially struck me as a bit odd to see Rabe billed last on the posters the first time I saw it, since she really is the lead, or a co-lead, though I realize it's mostly in terms of star-power/biggest names first.

I finally saw the video of the first preview curtain call on Instagram, and saw they had Rabe in the center for the bows (Harris - Louis-Dreyfus - Rabe - Janney - Keery) which does seem fitting (though Louis-Dreyfus takes the final individual bow, which also makes sense).

Updated On: 10/1/26 at 09:03 AM

For those who’ve been so far, is 2:15 an accurate running time?

Matt Rogers said: "PipingHotPiccolo said: "i loved the play in 2011 and i love this cast (seriously, Harris, Dreyfuss and especially Janney are some of my absolute favorite actors) but i just cannot bring myself to spend $250 to sit in the back of that horrible mezzanine or balcony. Good for them, I guess."

Agreed. I thought we were in an economic downturn. How are there so many people willing and able to pay these prices? I really do not get it."

It’s been on sale for a few months now, since well before EBT closed. People probably purchased ahead if they were going to be on a trip or this might be the one show they are willing to spend the most on. A lot of people of a certain age and tax bracket are taking that money to 860 for the same price. Frankly, I’d rather drop a mint for this than that.

$700 for a Wednesday matinee and $324 for a balcony seat. They are tripping

At the risk of spreading dissent or miserableness, do the astronomically high prices impact on your enjoyment? Do they increase pressure on performers? I broke a personal record on this show, and I expect a lot. Why do we allow this to happen? Can't these performers and creatives congregate elsewhere to facilitate their audience NOT being ripped off?

Updated On: 10/3/26 at 06:48 PM

Jay Lerner-Z said: Can't these performers and creatives congregate elsewhere to facilitate their audience NOT being ripped off?


Isn't that sort of why some productions later film, both for posterity & for the poor?

That's how I saw Good night & Good luck. Grateful that I saw it on TV because if I had paid big money for that turd I would have been pissed off.

Your off-stated concerns about elitism and pricing are well-represented in multiple threads.

While pricing trend are indeed increasingly outlandish, it is worth noting that even well-reviewed celebrity-driven shows often fail to recoup. I'm not sure one has to be a "greedy bastard" to hope you might get your investment returned.

And fairly reasonable prices by today's standards were amply available during the initial weeks of ticket sales. I bought two of them (dress circle) at different times, $155 each with fees.

When it comes to these current ticket prices, this definitely has reduced my visits to NYC to see shows. Even though I fortunately can afford to purchase tickets to events at any price range (Broadway, sports, concerts, etc) as I’m able to write them off on my taxes, my brain is still locked into pre-2005 ticket prices so unless I’m able to purchase tickets at cost (via friends in Broadway shows - yes, actors have to pay for the tickets to their shows), I have to truly want to see something to dump my money on good seats.

This is how much Broadway ticket prices for a 9th row Orchestra Center seat were like for a completely sold out show with then-hot Tony Award winner Hugh Jackman and a daily cancellation line down the block. Standing Room tickets were gone within seconds of the box office opening each morning and an impossible lottery was done at 5:30pm for evening shows and 11:30am for matinee shows. Premium seating was only offered for Friday and Saturday nights at a whopping $201.00 (yes, sarcasm here, folks).

I have tickets to see this later this month, and I’m on the fence about going or selling them. Thoughts on if this is worth it? Not a huge fan of any of the cast.

east side story said: "How many performances so far? It is odd that there is minimal chatter considering this cast. I loved the original production and recognize it’s a good play, not a great one, but all I currently hear is crickets. Guessing this production is either pretty mid or just not very memorable."



In general I have noticed that the more expensive a show is, the less reviews of it we get on here. Which makes sense. I wouldn't infer from the lack of reviews that it's mid. It's just too expensive.

Everyone, do read Kad's post. He makes a telling point. We have been paying a lot for ... a while. If not these prices, high for the respective era. Certainly in the 2000s. And yet ... I'm old enough to remember when Liza in The Act set a record with a $25 orchestra seat for Saturday. Google it, youngsters (NY Times, October 5, 1977). It was considered a jolt about Broadway's future. $25 in 1977 would be about $138 today. Arguably, today $138 is a steal. But a forecast? To be sure.