Tickets?? — Page 2

A mobile-only system (which is NOT the same as touchless) is not viable for Broadway because there are too many ways people get tickets (TKTS, TDF, Comps, Box Office, etc.) As I said, expect touchless and not stock tickets that can be kept in the form of the past. On announcements of specific shows and schedules, expect that at the rumored (or has it been announced) press conference of 5/11.

@artman we are discussing Broadway. Obviously some other venues can have different procedures.

Jordan Catalano said: "The announcement today said tickets will go on sale tomorrow, so I’d imagine the big press conference with the reopening shows is kind of moot now."

I thought that too. It's possible, of course, that the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing and in fact either (a) the press conference will now be tomorrow or (b) no tickets that are not on sale will be put on sale [obviously tix on sale does not require any third party action other than at the selling platform]. Another possibility is that there will be some rogue actions, which also wouldn't surprise me. And also obvious, of course, is that nothing is going to happen without the unions' agreement. For those of us like me who follow baseball as intently as the theatre, this notion of ownership announcements followed by union negotiations and different results is familiar.

On the heels of this recent news, my parents had the nerve to ask me, "So, what's the first live show we're buying tickets for?"

I immediately responded, "Absolutely nothing."

During Industry Day at BroadwayCon, a Jujamcyn rep was on and he specifically talked about the way ticketing was done at the recent NY Pops Up event at the St. James, which was a ticketed event through SeatGeek (as everyone here knows, is their new ticketing partner).

It was 100% mobile tickets only. You could not print your ticket out. In order to access your ticket, you had to complete a COVID questionnaire - on your phone - that in turn unlocked/activated the ticket. Other platforms use similar unlocking/activating technology; Ticketmaster's mobile-only tickets (I had to do this at BAM Opera House) have a bar code that changes every few minutes - also eliminating the ability to print it out. (And eliminating the ability to forge or scalp on the street.)

While it is a fact that not everyone has/wants a smartphone, it seems pretty clear that, at least in the beginning, venues are going to require mobile tickets and if you do not have a smartphone, you're out of luck. I expect Jujamcyn and Nederlander theatres to be fully mobile tickets only. Does Telecharge's antiquated system even offer mobile tickets?

FWIW, I am also bummed about no paper tickets, as basic as they are, because I keep them as well. But, I can always make my own or come up with another solution if even asking for print-outs post show isn't possible. I feel that some shows might actually see this as a merch opportunity, though. Buy a ticket and then buy a ticket to keep!

HogansHero said: "we shall see. As I said, I don't think that is viable on Broadway. It would put tkts out of business and also walk up sales unless they have some workaround."

We shall see indeed. I am 98.9% sure I am correct, though.

Also, mobile tickets are, by design, easily transferrable. There's no technological reason that TKTS can't issue tickets - or submit a request for tickets to be issued - and they're emailed to the buyer, just like when you purchase for yourself.

Ditto with walk-up sales, if they'll even be a thing at first. You must provide a way to receive the e-ticket. If you don't, you can't purchase it.

Updated On: 5/5/21 at 04:33 PM

@veronica I'll take the other 1.1%

If either of us cares enough, once this has been resolved, the one who is correct can make arrangements for the transfer of their free Hamilton tickets from the other (in the same relative percentages )

ok, let's amend the deal to: the show of the winner's choice.

veronicamae said: "Just bought tickets to SIX and mobile ticketing was the only option provided by Ticketmaster at this time."

It makes complete sense that advance tickets from TM are mobile only. And "at this time" there is no need for other means of buying tickets. But before shows actually start performances, there will need to be a means of dealing with box offices, TKTS. today tix, comps, and the myriad of other situations. Broadway is more complicated than other theatres, than sporting events, etc etc etc We shall see.

dramamama611 said: "I would imagine the way around it for day of and tktsis to require a phone number...they the system sends you the text/link.”

Same-day tickets always include the link on the confirmation email and if you provide the optional mobile number, they also text you the link to access the tickets. It’s been this way for years. You can also screenshot the ticket and have it ready when you arrive to the theatre. The barcode still works so it can be scanned.

I noticed that, too, Sutton. A few other shows that I know had been selling for Labor Day week have also changed their dates: Ain't Too Proud beginning 10/16, Chicago beginning 9/14, The Play That Goes Wrong beginning 10/15, and Jersey Boys beginning 11/15 (the latter two are both Off-Broadway, at New World Stages).