Theater Merch Kiosks

[KirbyCat]

Theater Merch Kiosks#1

Posted: 11/8/09 at 1:07pm

Hey guys-
I'll be in the city to see a show tonight, so I wanted to ask which shows/theaters have merch kiosks that I can access without having a ticket, as it my younger sister's birthday on Thursday and I would love to have a gift for her!
Thanks!

[ashley0139]

re: Theater Merch Kiosks#2

Posted: 11/8/09 at 1:14pm

Most will let you in to buy stuff even if you don't have a ticket.

I know Wicked has one before the ticket takers.

"This table, he is over one hundred years old. If I could, I would take an old gramophone needle and run it along the surface of the wood. To hear the music of the voices. All that was said." - Doug Wright, I Am My Own Wife

[Just_John]

re: Theater Merch Kiosks#2

Posted: 11/8/09 at 1:16pm

They will let you in to buy something after the show but not before.

[KirbyCat]

re: Theater Merch Kiosks#3

Posted: 11/8/09 at 1:23pm

Ok, the only ones I know are Shrek, Wicked and Memphis (I think? When I saw Spamalot at the Shubert there was one...).

[mikem]

re: Theater Merch Kiosks#4

Posted: 11/8/09 at 2:17pm

I have asked many times to access the merchandise kiosk before the show, and I have never been turned down. Just tell the ticket taker, and they will either let you in themselves or direct you to their supervisor, who will let you in. It can take a couple of minutes, so I don't know how easy it would be to travel to multiple booths in the few minutes they are open before the show starts unless they are right next door to each other.

I make it a point to say thank you to the person who let me in while I am leaving so they know that I left and don't have to wonder if I snuck in, but I don't know if you have to do that.

"What was the name of that cheese that I like?" "you can't run away forever...but there's nothing wrong with getting a good head start" "well I hope and I pray, that maybe someday, you'll walk in the room with my heart"

[KirbyCat]

re: Theater Merch Kiosks#5

Posted: 11/8/09 at 2:38pm

Well thanks for the tips!
I'll be trying to cover as many theaters as I can within a 30 minute time period!

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

re: Theater Merch Kiosks#6

Posted: 11/8/09 at 2:38pm

Yeah I;ve never been to a theatre where they don't let you in to buy merch.

[KirbyCat]

re: Theater Merch Kiosks#7

Posted: 11/8/09 at 2:48pm

Wait, will they be nasty if you don't want anything after they've let you in?

[tommigyrl5]

re: Theater Merch Kiosks#8

Posted: 11/8/09 at 2:51pm

^Ummm...probably. I would be pretty quick about making a decision when you get there too because if you want to buy something before the show, the merch person will be in the process of counting in. If you want to buy something after the show is over and most of the audience is gone, they will be counting out and trying to get home.

[KirbyCat]

re: Theater Merch Kiosks#9

Posted: 11/8/09 at 2:55pm

Urg. I am the world's WORST decision maker.

[mikem]

re: Theater Merch Kiosks#10

Posted: 11/8/09 at 3:53pm

In most cases, the person who let you in is outside the auditorium and the booth is inside, so that person has no idea whether you bought anything or not (and probably doesn't care, anyway -- they are letting you in because they potentially want to make a sale, not because it's guaranteed. Also, that person has another job and frankly isn't likely to be paying attention to what you are doing even if you are in eyesight).

If you're really self-conscious about it, bring a backpack or something so that you could potentially have your bought merchandise in there when you are actually leaving empty-handed.

Similarly, the merchandise person has no idea whether you are a ticketholder or not, so they aren't going to rush you any more than they would rush anyone. Even if they did, I don't know why they would treat you any differently than anyone else.

"What was the name of that cheese that I like?" "you can't run away forever...but there's nothing wrong with getting a good head start" "well I hope and I pray, that maybe someday, you'll walk in the room with my heart"

[KirbyCat]

re: Theater Merch Kiosks#11

Posted: 11/8/09 at 3:57pm

Wow! Thanks! haha are you a seasoned vet in the field?

[TheaterBoy7777]

re: Theater Merch Kiosks#12

Posted: 11/8/09 at 7:34pm

I used to work at Lion King selling merch and they wouldnt let anyone in until the show had begun but once you get up there you are rushed. If I were you I would just go to the Broadway store on 45th connected to the Marquis across from Lion King. Even sometime their prices are CHEAPER than the theater, for instance I know all the Lion King stuff is cheaper than at the show. I've also bought a few shirts there a few years back(Wonderful Town and Caroline or Change) and then went to the show to discover they were more expensive. If its more expensive its only by a few bucks or cents more definetly worth the time you'll save running theater to theater Trying to get in.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

re: Theater Merch Kiosks#13

Posted: 11/8/09 at 8:01pm

All of those shows have something you can get to without a ticket.

But if you go after the show starts and ask if you can just buy something they will let you. I did that with Hair and it was cool because the cast was in the lobby.

[millie_dillmount]

re: Theater Merch Kiosks#15

Posted: 11/9/09 at 7:13am

Actually, sometimes I've found stuff to be cheaper at the theater than at the Broadway New York stores.

"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611