Riedel on Hamilton $995 premium tickets

[10086sunset]

Posted: 4/23/16 at 9:08pm

http://nypost.com/2016/04/21/hamilton-might-jack-up-premium-tickets-to-995/

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/23/16 at 9:26pm

Oh, Roxy... Where are you...?

Updated On: 4/23/16 at 09:26 PM

[pupscotch]

Posted: 4/23/16 at 9:32pm

Who is going to pay this much money? Rich people? My parents almost refused spending $750, and we are in the target demographic. Though the show is the star, I can't say I know a single person who cares enough to spend $995 on a single ticket to a show, especially without the OBC.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/23/16 at 9:38pm

Someone will pay it. Someone. 

It's just so disheartening. I hate all the hype about the show because I won't get to see it for another 5 years when tickets are slightly easier to get. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/23/16 at 9:51pm

Except people are paying that to scalpers every day....and much more.

 

I'm not buying premium tickets anyway....but he is saying MAYBE they'll jack up the price. 

 

 

 

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/23/16 at 9:57pm

It won the Pulitzer. It will win the Tony. So. Demand will be even higher than it already is.

[billyelliotfan123]

Posted: 4/23/16 at 10:06pm

I couldn't even begin to imagine what higher demand for Hamilton would look like.

[10086sunset]

Posted: 4/23/16 at 10:31pm

I remember in 1991 how everyone thought Miss Saigon was crazy being the first to charge $100. 

While I understand the logic and reasoning, the idea of a $995 face value ticket seems wrong.

[Dave13]

Posted: 4/23/16 at 11:15pm

I am all for putting the brokers out of business.  I rather see the show get the money that a scalper. 

Updated On: 4/23/16 at 11:15 PM

[Comden Green]

Posted: 4/23/16 at 11:56pm

Dave13 said: "I am all for putting the brokers out of business.  I rather see the show get the money that a scalper. "

I agree.  And as curtain time approaches, if a ticket has not sold at this price, it will be reduced.   

[sarahb22]

Posted: 4/24/16 at 12:09am

10086sunset said: "I remember in 1991 how everyone thought Miss Saigon was crazy being the first to charge $100. "

I thought the first Broadway ticket to cost $100 was for Nicholas Nickleby?

 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 4/24/16 at 12:51am

$1000 for one ticket is absolutely insane. Where does Riedel get off spouting this nonsense.

[Margo319]

Posted: 4/24/16 at 1:05am

It's insane to some people.  To some, it's a bargain for seeing the hottest show in the world right now.  I was offered $1000 for my pair of tickets at the Public.  No one is forcing anyone to buy anything.  

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 4/24/16 at 1:10am

sarahb22 said: "10086sunset said: "I remember in 1991 how everyone thought Miss Saigon was crazy being the first to charge $100. "

I thought the first Broadway ticket to cost $100 was for Nicholas Nickleby?

 

 

"

That was for parts one and two  , not just a single show.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/24/16 at 1:15am

I mean, artistically I'm like pissed because I'll never get to see the show. But, if I were a producer, I totally get it. Why not strike while the iron is hot.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 4/24/16 at 2:06am

I wish someone would show me some proof that the scalped Hamilton tickets go down in price as the show gets closer.  I have yet to see it.  And yet it's my only hope.  

[gypsy101]

Posted: 4/24/16 at 2:12am

They mean like on the day of the show as it gets closer to showtime.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 4/24/16 at 2:30am

That's what I meant by "as the show gets closer."  I was asking for proof that that actually happens because I have not seen it.  Not saying it doesn't happen.  I really hope it does happen.  

[Comden Green]

Posted: 4/24/16 at 4:33am

Phantom4ever said: "I wish someone would show me some proof that the scalped Hamilton tickets go down in price as the show gets closer.  I have yet to see it.  And yet it's my only hope.  

Well, I certainly have no proof but a lady was talking at the Hamilton performance Thursday (yay, I got to see it). She has bought tickets that way.   I guess it would be easy to track.  Look at the site to see if prices change as the day goes on - assuming that all tics are not sold already.   It makes sense that no one would hold a valuable ticket that is shortly going to be worthless without reducing the price to get rid of it.  

I guess we could all agree that  non-Hamilton shows do it at the box office.  I bought a "premium" seat at the box office for shuffle along a couple of hours before the show with a discount code $109 I think.  

 

[devonian.t]

Posted: 4/24/16 at 4:55am

Sounds like self-flattery, "oh yeah, I can afford $1000 for a ticket, no problem"- shades of the characters in 'American Psycho'...

The question is: is this healthy in the long run for Broadway and theatre in general, when it struggles to avoid charges of elitism and finds difficulty in widening its demographic?  With shows pricing themselves out of the market, this risks even more shows flopping.

[After Eight]

Posted: 4/24/16 at 6:42am

"With shows pricing themselves out of the market, this risks even more shows flopping."

 

Shows with demand nowhere near that of this one would probably not be charging $995 for a ticket. Or so one would think.

 

But this is what happens when monstrous overpraise conflates with monstrous overhype: It creates a monster. Then people complain when the monster upsets people's apple carts.

 

The moral? Stand back before jumping on bandwagons. Think. Measure. Ponder. Look down the road, put two and two together, and assess the consequences --- or else, be ready to face them.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/24/16 at 6:43am

But Hamilton is an anomaly....this kind of pricing isn't going to happen for every show.

 

Don't get me wrong....I think it's obnoxious as hell, but I can understand.

 

Personally, I don't see me trying for more tix until, perhaps, the fervor dies down.  But I've been lucky and will have seen it 3x come July. (No scalper prices, no premiums, no lottery or standing room.  Good old fashioned ticket buying and patience.)  

 

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 4/24/16 at 7:19am

I guess the rationale for increasing the face value of premium tickets is that scalpers will be less inclined to buy them up - which may or may not be true. 

I fully expect ticket price increases but I don't think the number will be $995. The real trouble is that they consider the entire center front orchestra back as far as like Row N and I think part of the side orchestra to be premium. That's ridiculous and it makes it so hard to get a non-premium orchestra seat. 

Updated On: 4/24/16 at 07:19 AM

[indytallguy]

Posted: 4/24/16 at 7:35am

Phantom4ever said: "That's what I meant by "as the show gets closer."  I was asking for proof that that actually happens because I have not seen it.  Not saying it doesn't happen.  I really hope it does happen. "

Well, I can be one proof. I was in town on business in January. For a Wed eve performance front section of mezzanine was $900-$1500 resale and if I recall correctly maybe 75 or so seats were available a day or two before.  Waited until an hour before and got one for $397.

 

I have randomly checked from afar for other dates and some definitely drop, but of course it is part of the overall supply and demand curve that people are playing with in deciding to try and hold out for top dollar.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/24/16 at 7:37am

I think we are at a point where buying Hamilton tickets is a better investment than real estate or the stock market.