Reasonable Ticket Prices — Page 2

Jarethan said: "I suspect that producers of some shows run them like universities. Universities appear incapable of managing expenses, with the cost of college tuition consistently exceeding inflation dramatically. I imagine that happens with a lot of Broadway productions is the same issue...they are simply not managed as effectively as they could be. Their solution is to raise prices, even if the market won't bear it."

Higher education and the performing arts are both affected by the phenomenon of (relatively) fixed productivity. In most industries - agriculture, communications, manufacturing, you name it - technological advances have enabled the average worker to become significantly more productive decade after decade, and average salaries have increased accordingly. Unfortunately, the same level of growth in productivity is impossible when you're teaching a college class, performing a symphony, or producing a Broadway show. However, salaries in these fields still need to increase to keep up with inflation, which means that the costs for the consumer need to increase faster than overall inflation.

This is something we learned about in an "Economics of the Arts" class I took in college, and it makes sense to me. I'm certainly not claiming that it's the only reason ticket prices have increased so much, but it's probably one of the big reasons, and there's no easy solution for it.

Despite the fact the theater tickets prices are getting more and more unaccessible, can we please stop reminiscing how much tickets used to be in the 60s and 70s? Yes, they were $3, but a median household income was $5-15K annually too, so the $3 mezzanine tickets made perfect sense. Nearly every currently running show provides affordable $39-$59 tickets, often in full view seats. Is that not reasonable enough? Do you feel entitled to see every show from a third row mid orchestra? There are even cheaper rush and lottery tickets which are scarce, but they do exist for every show.

Updated On: 9/28/23 at 01:07 PM

kdogg36 said: "Jarethan said: "I suspect that producers of some shows run them like universities. Universities appear incapable of managing expenses, with the cost of college tuition consistently exceeding inflation dramatically. I imagine that happens with a lot of Broadway productions is the same issue...they are simply not managed as effectively as they could be. Their solution is to raise prices, even if the market won't bear it."

Higher education and the performing arts are both affected by the phenomenon of (relatively) fixed productivity. In most industries - agriculture, communications, manufacturing, you name it - technological advances have enabled the average worker to become significantly more productive decade after decade, and average salaries have increased accordingly. Unfortunately, the same level of growth in productivity is impossible when you're teaching a college class, performing a symphony, or producing a Broadway show. However, salaries in these fields still need to increase to keep up with inflation, which means that the costs for the consumer need to increase faster than overall inflation.

This is something we learned about in an "Economics of the Arts" class I took in college, and it makes sense to me. I'm certainly not claiming that it's the only reason ticket prices have increased so much, but it's probably one of the big reasons, and there's no easy solution for it."

We’ll said - this is so true

Higher education and the performing arts are both affected by the phenomenon of (relatively) fixed productivity. In most industries - agriculture, communications, manufacturing, you name it - technological advances have enabled the average worker to become significantly more productive decade after decade, and average salaries have increased accordingly. Unfortunately, the same level of growth in productivity is impossible when you're teaching a college class, performing a symphony, or producing a Broadway show. However, salaries in these fields still need to increase to keep up with inflation, which means that the costs for the consumer need to increase faster than overall inflation.

Completely different issue but go off I guess"

Oh FFS. Read and learn.

The answer to the question is what Jay Lerner-Z said in post #14: Reasonable prices are prices that are a fair reflection of the costs involved in making the product, with a fair margin of profit.

Apparently not

hearthemsing22 said: "mar6411 said: "Apparently not"

Then please don't comment unless it's relevant to the OP. Thanks sweetie"

Just because you started a thread doesn't mean you get to set the terms of engagement for how others respond. Comments here have largely been on topic or close enough compared to many threads.

Updated On: 9/29/23 at 09:20 AM

JasonC3 said: "hearthemsing22 said: "mar6411 said: "Apparently not"

Then please don't comment unless it's relevant to the OP. Thanks sweetie"

Just because you started a thread doesn't mean you get to set the terms of engagement for how others respond. Comments here have largely been on topic or close enough compared to many threads."

You're right. I can acknowledge that. But personal attacks? No. Not okay. Don't any of you have anything better to do than personally attack my threads? My comments? So it is also very easy for people to avoid those, and stick to the subject, or close enough. If that's too difficult for them then...go to a different thread.

Updated On: 9/29/23 at 09:46 AM

Matt Rogers said: "hearthemsing22 said: "SeanD2 said: "Reasonable ticket prices are whatever you can afford. Unreasonable prices are whatever you can't afford."

Right but I'm just confused when people say that tickets are so unreasonably priced...like obviously for shows there will always be people willing to pay high prices. So. Like what do they want? There are so many ways to get inexpensive tickets and just because they're not in the orchestra or something? You're still seeing the show. Like if I want to travel to Australia am I going to expect lower priced airfare? No. I'm going to save. I'm going to find less expensive travel options, or wait. I'm not going to be like "I deserve lower prices!". People have to accept they will survive without seeing some shows if they can't afford it and no this isn't being elitist or gate-keeping, that's the facts of life for anything. Some things will just be more expensive than others."

Show me a way to get a “reasonably priced ticket” to Merrily We Roll Along. I’ll wait."

Considering the tiny size of the Hudson, I'd say $124 for the side and rear balcony is quite reasonable, and there are still several available for the run, so long as you are going during the colder months.