The Public Theatre Cracks Down On Ticket Scalpers (Line Sitters).RIDICULOUS- Page 2

[lull89]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 4:17pm

Jordan, I do see what you're saying, and I don't think that they really expect that nobody will ever pay anyone to wait for a ticket ever. This has been something they have tried to stomp down on from the start, and I think it's most important for them to present an image of that not being part of the idea of their summer program. If they didn't, I think there would be a great increase in the number of people doing that, so it seems like it's more of a PR thing than anything else. By presenting themselves as being tough on line sitters (and especially with the rise of Craigslist and all that which makes it easier for people to get connected), they ensure that the maximum amount of tickets are given to people willing to wait all day.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 4:24pm

The maximum amount of tickets given out at going to be free regardless of a few line sitters.

And I never said people who use line sitters (and again I'm not one his ever done that or probably ever would) are entitled because I don't think they are. They are people who want to see the show just like you and are going about it a different way. I want to see Pacino badly before the run is over but I'm not in a position where I can go wait. So... I try online. But until last year that wasn't N option so maybe that will cut down on it by itself.

The point is whether you like it or not, it's a reality that people just accept because it's not going to go away. Even with the attorney general.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 4:34pm

"The maximum amount of tickets given out at going to be free regardless of a few line sitters. "

Yes, they'll be free when they're given out, but if an organized line-sitter organization has them, THEY WON'T BE FREE to those who can't afford them. This game may not go away, but the average dude hiring the homeless to make himself a few bucks will - or at least it will cut into his profits. One person line-sitting to get by is understandable. One person taking advantage of others' poor station in life and profiting from the availability of free tickets is quite another. I don't understand why you don't get this.
Updated On: 6/13/10 at 04:34 PM

[Katurian2]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 4:39pm

I completely disagree that this is ridiculous. Maybe legal action is a little much, yes. But the original mission of the Public is being completely subverted by this. And yeah, if you have enough money to pay for $125 tickets, you must be pretty comfortable at least. If you work, go on a weekend- that's what I've always done. Live the experience- that's part of SitP. I'm not going to presume to speak on Joe Papp's behalf, but I don't think his original mission included a bunch of lazy suits clogging up the audience.

And from the multitudes of people I saw NOT get tickets after standing in line all morning this past day, scalpers selling those to the lazys in Times Square is pretty infuriating.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 4:50pm

"And yeah, if you have enough money to pay for $125 tickets, you must be pretty comfortable at least"

Wrong. I've shelled out that kind of money for tickets before for something that was extremely hard to get into but I'm by no means "comfortable". It was just something I REALLY wanted to see.

"If you work, go on a weekend- that's what I've always done. Live the experience- that's part of SitP"

That's all well and good if you're able to do that. I'm not in a position where I can right now. And if I had my choice I'd rather pay to see the shows because honestly, after spending all day in the hot sun, by the time of the show I'm so exhausted the last thing I want to do is watch three hours of Shakespeare.

"but I don't think his original mission included a bunch of lazy suits clogging up the audience."

Well then you'll want to cover your eyes and avoid all the corporate suits who take up the best seats at these shows.

"scalpers selling those to the lazys in Times Square is pretty infuriating."

YES, it is infuriating. I've never once said anything against that. I've only talked about the people who pay line sitters so they can see the show for themselves. But you've got to take the good with the bad. The Public Theater is no different than any other show in NYC. There are going to be people scalping tickets for the hot shows and you can call in the Attorney General, Heads of State, even Obama. That's never going to change.

[singtopher]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 5:36pm

For me, it's one thing if someone wanted to see the show, but can't sit in line, so they ask someone to do it for them for money. It's different if I make myself a summer job by charging folks $200 to sit in line and get SitP tickets. The former is totally honest, the latter isn't.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 7:05pm

"You can gripe about the morality of it all you want, but I fail to see what the LEGAL issue is"

A theater ticket, whether paid for or free, is a revocable license (a form of contract). In the Public's case, the license in question is immediately revoked the second it is sold for profit. As such, the AG's office is getting involved because a profit is made on an item that, essentially, doesn't exist.

This is more academic contract law then actual practice...in reality, they would just claim fraud (as in a not-for-profit institution is being defrauded).

...just sayin'.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 7:11pm

But in the case of line sitters, NOBODY IS PAYING FOR A TICKET. they are paying for someone to sit.

[bwayrose2]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 8:48pm

It's just semantic BS. The fact of the matter is that they ARE paying for tickets. Call it line sitting, scalping or brokering, they are paying for a ticket that is FREE.

First of all, get the facts right. A summer supporter seat is $175 each, not $350. So if you are going to pay $125 to a so-called line sitter, why not just pay an extra $50, have it be tax deductible (which makes it less than $175) and do a good deed?

If you don't see who this hurts, you don't understand non-profit theater. Scalpers make no investment in the show - the Public pays the actors, the crew, the advertising, pays for costumes and sets. If you are willing to pay that much, then donate the money to a good cause, not to a greedy scalper. It costs the Public more than $1 million per production and no - sponsorship doesn't cover it all. They have to raise it somehow. So Joe Papp came up with this scheme to have SOME of the people in the house subsidize the rest. Basically, Robin Hood - soak those that can afford it to allow the rest of us to go for free.

And yes, if they are donating $1,000 or even $175, they should have better seats. I'm happy in any seat in that wonderful house. I just can't believe all the people who complain about their seat locations for a FREE performance! I also know they do follow the old plan that every other row goes to the people waiting on line.

I've seen these people who sell tickets. One head guy organizes homeless people, who harass others on line. Sometimes they are drunk, high, dirty -- I've seen defecation on line because they really don't give a damn about anyone else or the park. He pays them in liquor and whatever money he gives them immediately gets them drunk or gets snorted up their nose. He pretty much said so in that Daily News article.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 9:52pm

"I've seen these people who sell tickets. One head guy organizes homeless people, who harass others on line. Sometimes they are drunk, high, dirty -- I've seen defecation on line because they really don't give a damn about anyone else or the park. He pays them in liquor and whatever money he gives them immediately gets them drunk or gets snorted up their nose. He pretty much said so in that Daily News article."

Exactly. Thank you.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:28pm

"I'm happy in any seat in that wonderful house. I just can't believe all the people who complain about their seat locations for a FREE performance!"

Hear hear! I for one look forward to waiting in line each year for a wonderful FREE show. Especially on good weather days, it can be a fun time spent with friends AND bad/good food from the nearby deli who delivers in line.

...line defecators certainly DO NOT add to the experience.
Updated On: 6/14/10 at 12:28 PM