Ticket Prices

Well, it would be nice if we had government subsidies for the theatre like they do in London, but I'm not sure if that could apply to commercial theatre. Still, it would help something at least. Otherwise, I really couldn't say. Obviously, some costs can be cut here and there, but that's not substantial or sustainable enough. Some specific shows could benefit from the producers being less greedy. Dynamic and premium pricing has led to a lot of ridiculous price-gouging, but that's capitalism for you. And anyway, even if some of kind of price-cap were to be put on tickets, that would only effect a small number of mega-hit shows, and not the average Broadway show struggling to recoup.

I'd be curious to hear other people respond with realistic suggestions for how to lower commercial ticket prices in a sustainable way. It's a tough situation, because as you said, the employees deserve a living wage.

JBroadway said: "Well, it would be nice if we had government subsidies for the theatre like they do in London, but I'm not sure if that couldapply to commercial theatre. Still, it would help something at least. Otherwise, I really couldn't say. Obviously, some costs can be cut here and there, but that's not substantial or sustainable enough. Some specific shows could benefit from the producers being less greedy. Dynamic and premium pricing has led to a lot of ridiculous price-gouging, but that's capitalism for you. And anyway, even if some of kind of price-cap were to be put on tickets, that would only effect a small number of mega-hit shows, and not the average Broadway show struggling to recoup.

I'd be curious to hear other people respond with realistic suggestions for how to lower commercial ticket prices in a sustainable way. It's a tough situation, because as you said, the employees deserve a living wage."

****NEEED a livable wage. Not deserve. The people who work on shows and who are in those buildings need to be paid a livable wage. I think that comes before any thought of lower ticket prices.

Yes, they NEED a living wage, absolutely. Thank you for the correction!

Wick3 said: "From what I recall for actor's equity Broadway weekly minimum is $2168. That equates toover $110k/year. This is the minimum so I'd presume lead roles would be more significant. For a minimum salary in the 6 digits I would think that's a living wage.

As far as lowering ticket prices, I highly doubt the producers willdecrease ticket prices to rush ticket levels (though we did see a sale on Rudin's productions last March for $50/seats) but I also doubt Hamilton will sell out a theatre charging $269 regular seats and $849 premium seats like it did before covid.

It'll be someplace in the middle. I have a feeling ticket prices may be similar to 4-5 years ago and if those do not sell, then there will be more discount codes floating around and hopefully there will be TKTS for last minute 50% off tix."

after taxes, Equity dues, agent/manager commissions, the minimum ends up being closer to $1300 a week.

From what I recall for actor's equity Broadway weekly minimum is $2168. That equates to over $110k/year. This is the minimum so I'd presume lead roles would be more significant. For a minimum salary in the 6 digits I would think that's a living wage.

If taxes didn't exist, sure. Your take home pay would be about 70k after federal, state, and NYC taxes are taken out. Which in NYC isn't a lot of money.

Call_me_jorge said: "I’d like to know how much revenue is going to lining the producers and investors pockets. Especially for the longer running hits. I’m sure all 3 million dollars Hamilton makes a week isn’t going to the cast/crew/orchestra. It’s going to Jeffry Sellers children’s trust fund.
I don’t think anybody is suggesting the cast gets paid less, but that producers and investors take more of the financial hit. Wicked and The Lion King can both make premium tickets and seats half the cost and they would still be making an exorbitant amount of money."

Producers and investors only get money in weeks that there is a profit. So yes on Hamilton they had been doing quite well. But on shows that don't get to profit, the producers make very little money and the investors none. The cast and musicians get their salary regardless of how much money is/isn't being made. In the case of Hamilton, they also share in 1% of the profit.

Sutton Ross said: "From what I recall for actor's equity Broadway weekly minimum is $2168. That equates to over $110k/year. This is the minimum so I'd presume lead roles would be more significant. For a minimum salary in the 6 digits I would think that's a living wage.

If taxes didn't exist, sure. Your take home pay would be about 70k after federal, state, and NYC taxes are taken out. Which in NYC isn't a lot of money."

I live and work here in NYC and certainly do not make over $100k/year and somehow still able to survive. I agree it's not a lot of money but my point is it's still a livable wage even in NYC. If that salary is less than $30k/year though then that's another story. JBroadway made a good point though that the likelihood of a Broadway actor having work all year is unlikely and I didn't think about that. I forgot that not everyone works for Hamilton/Wicked/Lion King. I'm cool with the minimum salary actor's equity negotiated.

But to the OP's post, I think we might see more 'bundles' presented to investors. I recall for Hello Dolly a few years ago, Rudin presented it as a bundle to investors (bundled with plays Glass Menagerie and A Doll's House pt 2) so even though Hello Dolly was a major hit, investors only made a profit of 5% due to the losses of the other 2 plays that season.

Sutton Ross said: "Surviving and living are two different things."



True, and I think that's where my earlier word choice of the pay theatre-workers "deserve" becomes relevant again. They NEED to live, but they DESERVE to be able invest in their future; a home, a family, and just being financial stable in general.

Just have to say--I think it's clear that I know nothing about the business side of Broadway. So reading your answers is also very informative! Thank you*!







*No sarcasm. It's really interesting to know about this because I never really thought about it before.

I don't suppose it's possible for someone to have a passion and a talent for performing...while also not wanting to live in constant fear of poverty? Sure, that's the way it is, and the way it's been for a long time. But it's not unreasonable to aspire for better. Mentalities like that are how we end up perpetuating systems built on exploitation. Not that Broadway actors are exploited, necessarily, but many actors in this industry are, and it's often shrugged off as "that's show-biz!" rather than actually dealing with the problem.

Your other points make sense, but again, there seems to be some confusion about the premise of this conversation: no one is saying Broadway actors are underpaid. We're just saying their pay should not be lowered.

You raise a decent point about other sources of income, and that not being the producers' responsibility. That may be true. But again, if we bring this back to the original question: you say it's not the average ticket-buyer's responsibility to cover an actor's period of unemployment. Sure. But is it better for that money to go to a wealthy investor? If we're looking for ways to lower ticket-prices, that burden should be on the producers and investors, not the lower-salaried workers.

Robbie2 said: "Bring back 2fers - 2 for the price of one in the beginning and some sort of marketing strategy to lure people back to BWAY as it will be tough the first couple of months do I dare say a year? Balcony seats $20.21"

Half price tickets? Sure. Two-fers? No way. They are the least efficient way of selling tickets on earth. They are also the most expensive. Labor intensive at both ends, data poor, and on and on. That ship, my friend, sailed decades ago.

People will be lured back by shows they want to see. Not many shows at first, because supply will need to stay limited so the demand creates sustainable price points. No one is going to intentionally open a show for which they have to give away tickets although (assuming there are shows in houses with balconies) a deep discount up there is certainly possible. But that's not going to solve any producer's problem.

We will get there. We will get there in 2021. 2021 will not look like the Broadway you remember from 2019. Patience.