Ticket prices up for Legally Blonde.- Page 3

[Born To Reign]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 3:36pm

It is greed. Nothing more. I've often wondered why shows can all charge the same price when some are obviously so much cheaper (Chicago's a great example. I also bring up Company).

The way I see it is that it's like any other retail. Not counting rear mezz/rush/SRO/other ways of getting cheap seats, I see it breaking down into 3 or 4 price levels. Comparing it to retail, it looks like this for me:

1. Full price tickets (IE "new arrivals" in retail)

2. First coupon code, maybe 25% off (in-store promotion)

3. Second code, maybe 30-50% off (end of season clearance)

4. TKTS (sent to outlet/liquidator)

Therefore, $110 is always the opening price. Unless the show is a sellout, in which case good for them (Lord knows it's tough to make $$ on B'way), the prices will always go down. If you want those shoes in your size at the beginning of a season, you have to pay full price. If you want first pick of seats, you have to pay full price.

Am I saying I support $120 tickets? Hell no. But think about it. These tourists come in and pay full price for the shows, thereby offsetting the cost of discounts and rushes for the producers. IMHO, high prices are part of what makes low prices available for us.

As for premium seats, I can't say I'm a fan. I think it's bull, and it's creating even more "class" separation at the theatre. It's not so much that I take issue with having different price levels (rear mezz is less than orchestra already) but the fact that they then sell these regular price day-of if they don't sell at premium. It's obviously a bullsh*t markup that isn't the ACTUAL price.

In the end, it's supply and demand. As long as some people are willing to pay $120, that's what they'll charge.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 3:53pm

$130? i thought that Riedel had posted that Mel was going to charge $275 for the orhestra of Young Frankenstein. i can't sit ANYWHERE but the orchestra that barn of a theatre so i'd LOVE for them to only charge $130!

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 4:03pm

I like what David Spade said,

"Legally Blonde the musical opened on Broadway this week... now you can see the movie again for $200.00."

Updated On: 6/20/07 at 04:03 PM

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 4:14pm

Speaking of which, they should make Tommy Boy into a musical.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 6:06pm

My wife is dying to see Legally Blonde but when I told her this she said no way

In the past, price increases held for a few years. Now they seem to go up yearly & when a show gets good reviews, they jack them up again.

This will hurt them in the long run. This is greed pure & simple . Little by little, people will stop going. There are probably now those who would love to go & are simply priced out. Theater is a luxury not a necessity !!!!!!!!!!

It will not bother me in the slightest if I do not see Young Frankenstein with the original cast. I will see it eventually but I have no intention of sanctioning this BS. I will get the CD & see it somewhere down the line.

We will be more selective in what we see. A shame but it is like a hurricane. You get advance notice & you start preparing. You do not wait until you see cows sailing by your window before you decide to do something

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 6:21pm

I'm glad I got my tickets for July 7th before the price went up!

[little_sally]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 9:51pm

No, I don't think this will affect whether or not people see LB. It's a tourist-y show, and tourists will pay top dollar to see the show (or any show for that matter) if it's going to the be their one and only opportunity to do so. We, as frequent theatre-goers, are upset by this increase in ticket prices because we are expected to pay $120 or so every time we want to go to the theatre. It may stop us from going (or less-frequently) but it's not going to stop everybody.

[yankees1253]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 5:05pm

yeah i agree its tourist season so all of or most of the popular shows are up 5-10 dollars. But they are still selling if your not around the new york city area or not very familar with it. The prices up for shows and other things are normal. yeah summer is def tourist season,thanksgiving,christmas/new year time,and easter are the most popular times for vacationers. I was looking at legally blonde tickets for thanksgiving break the last row or two in the orch are avaiable, and just wed matinee you can get great mezz seats. I have been in the theatre for aida and the mezz is terrific.

[FosterChild]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 5:10pm

I guess I should have said crying foul AND giving rationalizations.
Updated On: 6/21/07 at 05:10 PM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 6:21pm

This will hurt them in the long run. This is greed pure & simple . Little by little, people will stop going. There are probably now those who would love to go & are simply priced out. Theater is a luxury not a necessity !!!!!!!!!!

You are underestimating the number of rich people in Manhattan combined with the tourist crowd and their vacation money. These shows will always sell, no matter what the price is.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 6:25pm

Well, I am glad I bought my tickets three weeks ago!