Denzel on the High Ticket Prices

[mitchern]

Posted: 4/22/25 at 5:37pm

During the interview, the actor highlighted his gratitude for the opportunity to perform in this and other productions. “I’ve been blessed beyond measure for a long time. I’m not bragging, but I’ve been a part of sold-out shows before. God has blessed me with a great ability, and I’m humbled by the reaction and the response that we’re getting."

https://www.etonline.com/media/videos/denzel-washington-reacts-to-othello-ticket-sales-being-compared-to-beyonce-tickets

 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 4/22/25 at 5:55pm

mitchern said: "During the interview, the actor highlighted his gratitude for the opportunity to perform in this and other productions.“I’ve been blessed beyond measure for a long time. I’m not bragging, but I’ve been a part of sold-out shows before. God has blessed me with a great ability, and I’m humbled by the reaction and the response that we’re getting."

https://www.etonline.com/media/videos/denzel-washington-reacts-to-othello-ticket-sales-being-compared-to-beyonce-tickets

"

I guess this is the part of the article that should be quoted:

”When ET's Rachel Smith pointed out that some tickets are commanding prices of $900 or more, Washington noted that some tickets are also selling as low as $50. "People don't talk about that," the actor said in response. Currently, a limited number of $49 student tickets are made available for every performance of Othello when the Barrymore Theatre box office opens for that day’s performance.”

Yeah, Denzel. Gratitude to your team for making a few $49 student tickets available for each performance. “People don’t talk about that.” LOL. Is he freaking kidding? 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/22/25 at 6:09pm

It does seem a little bit "Have YOU been to space?"

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 4/22/25 at 6:09pm

I agree. Commented on this in the Othello post bc his reaction is absurd. Not giving him props for providing crumbs when most are left to starve.

[kdogg36]

Posted: 4/22/25 at 6:24pm

"God has blessed me with a great ability, and I’m humbled by the reaction and the response that we’re getting."

I just love it (sarcasm, of course) when religious people say things like this. To paraphrase: "I'm great, but I can still claim I'm humble because I'm only great because God made me that way." Such a sublime self-contradiction to those of us with actual functioning brains.

[yahyahyah]

Posted: 4/22/25 at 6:36pm

He is a huge yuck fest. His interviews have all been so cringeworthy. He’s in his “return” phase? Keep it lol. 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 4/22/25 at 6:41pm

I read it in the Trump voice lol

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 4/22/25 at 7:00pm

Denzel has always come across as pretty arrogant to me even though he's certainly a great actor. But saying you're "giving back" when it's the most elite and wealthy theatergoers paying an insane amount for tickets to your play is certainly an interesting framing.

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 4/22/25 at 7:15pm

"Yeah, Denzel. Gratitude to your team for making a few $49 student tickets available for each performance. “People don’t talk about that.” LOL. Is he freaking kidding? "

You do understand Broadway shows are a business, and the idea is to make money. They set prices to what the market will bear, it is called capitalism. There is nothing that says they have to set aside $49 student tickets to the show like all other shows.  I truly doubt Denzel has anything to do with the pricing of the show. All he cares about is his salary requirements were met. 

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 4/23/25 at 8:35am

Zeppie2022 said: ""Yeah, Denzel. Gratitude to your team for making a few $49 student tickets available for each performance. “People don’t talk about that.” LOL. Is he freaking kidding? "

You do understand Broadway shows are a business, and the idea is to make money. They set prices to what the market will bear, it is called capitalism. There is nothing that says they have to set aside $49 student tickets to the show like all other shows. I truly doubt Denzel has anything to do with the pricing of the show. All he cares about ishis salary requirements were met."

Nothing will change unless 1. People stop paying $900 for tickets, which- when you factor in people like Jake G. and Denzel and also people in other shows like George Clooney- is not likely to happen anytime soon. 2. You stop taking anger out on actors (even if they do say things like this) and go to the source that causes this to happen- producers. Theaters. Etc. Yes, people are ignoring other ways to get inexpensive tickets. If you're out of town you can plan ahead with discount codes, TDF, BroadwayBox, etc. Don't blame actors. 

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 4/23/25 at 9:15am

witchoftheeast2 said: "2. You stop taking anger out on actors (even if they do say things like this) and go to the source that causes this to happen- producers. Theaters. Etc. Yes, people are ignoring other ways to get inexpensive tickets. If you're out of town you can plan ahead with discount codes, TDF, BroadwayBox, etc. Don't blame actors."

Pretty sure the contracts for Jake and Denzel are a huge part of the reason ticket prices are so high. If they had said "we'll do this show for scale", they wouldn't need to charge $900 a ticket.

Now, to be clear, I'm not knocking them for commanding a higher salary and getting paid what they're worth. But yes, they are at least partially to blame for the high ticket prices.

[broadway86]

Posted: 4/23/25 at 9:20am

kdogg36 said: ""God has blessed me with a great ability, and I’m humbled by the reaction and the response that we’re getting."

I just love it (sarcasm, of course) when religious people say things like this. To paraphrase: "I'm great, but I can still claim I'm humble because I'm only great because God made me that way." Such a sublime self-contradiction to those of us with actual functioning brains."

ALL of this. 

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 4/23/25 at 9:25am

To those here who are aware of contracts and pricing, do major stars like Clooney, Washington, Gyllenhaal, et al have the negotiating power to say they would perform for a lesser fee in exchange for specific requirements on lower ticket prices, whether that be for the entire run or for select performances?

And before this prompts immediate replies about scalpers, technologies exist to address this issue even if not perfectly yet.

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 4/23/25 at 10:19am

SteveSanders said: "To those here who are aware of contracts and pricing, do major stars like Clooney, Washington, Gyllenhaal, et al have the negotiating power to say they would perform for a lesser fee in exchange for specific requirements on lower ticket prices, whether that be for the entire run or for select performances?"

The folks bringing in the money always have the power. Clooney, Washington, etc could say whatever they wanted if they wanted to. Now, the producers may not listen, but they could absolutely say "I'm not doing this show unless you cap ticket prices at $400".

Again, I'm not saying they should be expected to do that. But it absolutely is within their power, and so when they don't, it's fair to assess some of the blame on them.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 4/23/25 at 11:33am

SteveSanders said: "To those here who are aware of contracts and pricing, do major stars like Clooney, Washington, Gyllenhaal, et al have the negotiating power to say they would perform for a lesser fee in exchange for specific requirements on lower ticket prices, whether that be for the entire run or for select performances?

And before this prompts immediate replies about scalpers, technologies exist to address this issue even if not perfectly yet."

I mean, sure, the could say that…but what A List Star would? Based on major salaries from people like Nathan Lane & Matthew Broderick (who made $100k/week ultimately on The Producers), I’d imagine Denzel and Jake are either making close to or a solid healthy six figures a week and/or taking a portion of the box office. They are the reason ticket prices are so high, and salaries like these are still probably Pennie’s compared to their film fees. 

[MasterThespian 2]

Posted: 4/23/25 at 11:39am

C’mon, this is ‘murica. No one leaves a dollar on the table. 

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 4/23/25 at 12:44pm

MasterThespian 2 said: "C’mon, this is ‘murica. No one leaves a dollar on the table."

I've read lots of interviews with actors who do exactly that:  alternating big bucks blockbuster movies with small salary indie flicks or off-Broadway plays.

Does everyone?  Of course not.  But some do.

[MasterThespian 2]

Posted: 4/23/25 at 2:48pm

Wasn’t blaming the actors. Was referring to the producers and theatre owners. 


SteveSanders said: "MasterThespian 2 said: "C’mon, this is ‘murica. No one leaves a dollar on the table."

I've read lots of interviews with actors who do exactly that: alternating big bucks blockbuster movies with small salary indie flicks or off-Broadway plays.

Does everyone? Of course not. But some do."

 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 4/23/25 at 4:06pm

I suggest everyone go re-read that ridiculous NYT interview from February. Spoiler alert, the subheading is “Has Finally Found His Purpose (It’s Not Acting)”.

Truly wild that someone is so proud to ignore any opportunity for introspection and yet sees their entire purpose on Earth as some sort of holy gift to the masses. Religious nuts are exhausting. 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 4/23/25 at 5:40pm

Zeppie2022 said: ""Yeah, Denzel. Gratitude to your team for making a few $49 student tickets available for each performance. “People don’t talk about that.” LOL. Is he freaking kidding? "

You do understand Broadway shows are a business, and the idea is to make money. They set prices to what the market will bear, it is called capitalism. There is nothing that says they have to set aside $49 student tickets to the show like all other shows. I truly doubt Denzel has anything to do with the pricing of the show. All he cares about ishis salary requirements were met."

Sure thing, Mr. Producer! 

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/23/25 at 6:17pm

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "I suggest everyone go re-read that ridiculous NYT interview from February. Spoiler alert, the subheading is “Has Finally Found His Purpose (It’s Not Acting)”.

Truly wild that someone is so proud to ignore any opportunity for introspection and yet sees their entire purpose on Earth as some sort of holy gift to the masses. Religious nuts are exhausting."

 

The audio of the full interview is included with the article. Listening to it, it comes off differently. Washington was a bit more open and personable than the printed article suggests. With that said, I still haven't been crazy about some of his recent interviews. Here is a gift link to the article to listen to it...

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/08/magazine/denzel-washington-interview.html?unlocked_article_code=1.B08.0aXk.dXlPBxYxmTiQ&smid=url-share

 

[Dolly80]

Posted: 4/23/25 at 6:22pm

This ‘ability’ he’s been blessed with doesn’t seem to stretch to making this turgid production any better, or his line delivery intelligible. 

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 4/23/25 at 8:20pm

We live in a capitalist society. Very successful actors are paid very high prices. If they perform on BWAY- the charges for tickets will reflect that. End of story.

 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 4/23/25 at 8:56pm

BWAY Baby2 said: "We live in a capitalist society. Very successful actors are paid very high prices. If they perform on BWAY- the charges for tickets will reflect that. End of story.”

 

We know.

[gibsons2]

Posted: 4/24/25 at 10:13am

My god, this board is showing its true colors again, singling out Denzel as the sole reason for Othello high prices. We have Gyllenhaal whose temporary dressing room is so extravagant and expensive that it was  featured in high end magazines. Who also stars in Othello, but is given a pass. We have GNGL play with Clooney breaking historical sales records and charging as much. We have Glengarry with 3 white A-list celebs whose producers didn't even bother providing affordable ticket option of any kind except that bs SRO. Yet out of all of them you keep keep picking on Denzel, foaming at your mouths that you can't get a cheap ticket for a sold out Othello, although it has lottery, digital rush and student rush. Many more cheap options than the other 2 blockbuster plays. I swear, some of your hoods are showing and you don't even realize it.