Who are those who see shows multiple times, and how??- Page 5

[fosca3]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 8:02am

I was reading thru this thread, thinking about the shows I've seen multiple times, and someone said a show 'hit them like a ton of bricks' --

That's sort of how I've ended up seeing shows multiple times

I've seen Les Mis 37 times (over the course of 10+ years) -- with that show, the cast changes can COMPLETELY change the feel of the show. I saw some casts more than others (about 10 each for the 10th Anniversary and original closing Broadway casts). And I met people at the stagedoor who'd seen it 300+ times, so I always felt relatively sane (that's a joke)

I always pay full price for my ticket (I work, live alone, and support myself and my house), and again, theatre is where I spend my extra money -- I usually see 5-6 shows a year. With the cost of the train to NYC (as much as an orchestra seat), it gets a little expensive. But I have never regretted being broke for 2 or 3 weeks after I've seen a show

The 'ton of bricks things' for me is Seafarer. The first time I saw it, in December, I was completely blown away. I was glad I was alone, cuz I don't think I could have talked for the next couple hours anyway

I think the real beauty of seeing a show multiple times, especially in a short run like Seafarer where the cast never changes, is watching the characters change as the actors grow into them. I can see how all 5 characters have changed so much, just over the last 3 months. I wish I could go back and see my first show again, to compare it. And every week there's something different, even if it's just something small

By the time it closes, I'll have seen it 9 times

(I'm seeing all 3 shows the closing weekend, and it will be better than Christmas )

Am I broke?

Completely

Have I blown my theatre budget for the year (by March)?

Pretty much

Do I regret it?

Not for a second

Every minute I spend in the Booth is pure magic, and isn't that why all of us go to the theatre and love it so much?

Updated On: 3/10/08 at 08:02 AM

[jaqs]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 8:55am

In london not NY, way past student age - and I couldnt afford to go to the theatre that often when I was.

I'll do day seats at weekends if taking a friend. I'll pay full price when I want to know exactly where I'm sitting and go on a particular day, cheap seats when I'm not too sure about a show(the top circles often have great views) and for most shows there are good offers if you go mid week.

I dont tend to use tkts as I like to go after work and know where I'm sitting.

Some previwes are cheaper. And quite often I'll go on a group trip as few as 8 people get a discount for some shows.

[bestinshow2]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 12:19pm

I have a student id so when I can get a student rate, I will. I also just go the box office on the day off and see what they have left.

For a certain show that I saw more than 10 times I used to get standing room a lot of the times at 10 pence a ticket (at the Royal Court in London). Probably paid 70 pence (= $1.40) to see it 7 times :)

I rarely pay full price, only when I buy the ticket way in advance.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 12:31pm

Then there are those who are no longer students and yet have student IDs that they use to scam cheap tickets.

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 12:33pm

and do you agree or disagree with that practice, rath?

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 12:34pm

I see shows multiple times. I am single,live alone,work a good paying full time job,sit in the balcony instead of the orch,eat in a fast food place instead of a fancy restaurant,take the bus instead of the train,do lottery and would rather spend my hard earned money on a show that I know I'm gonna enjoy then go out clubbing or drinking and blow my money that way.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 12:54pm

When I went to RENT for the first time about a month ago, the guy next to me told me he'd seen it 1,150 times.

I've almost gotten up to 20 times (paying, and for multiple productions and casts), but I cannot ever imagine investing that much in a show. Assuming he won lotto every time, that's $23,000.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 1:18pm

I've seen A Chorus Line 7 times already. First time was my birthday present(full price), second time I paid full price($111), 3rd & 4th times I got standing room ($26.50), 5th & 6th times TKTS ($60) and the last time was a special discount and only paid $45. So over a 1 1/2 years I've paid $329 for 6 tickets($55 average).

[bestinshow2]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 1:23pm

Ha, Rath, that would be me. I have a student id but I'm not a student. I make up for it by going 4 times so pay a $100 anyway and fill some seats along the way.

[rowlinvale2]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 5:00pm

I haven't been to NYC, but I try to see as many tours as I can when they come by. Or I find a ride to San Francisco. If it's a show I really want to see, I usually splurge and buy one expensive ticket in front orchestra and then rush it a time or two. Otherwise I will settle for cheaper seats or rush.

I'm still in high school, so I don't have many expenses of my own. So instead of seeing movies every weekend or going shopping all the time, I save up my money and see shows. We all do what we enjoy most. For us, I guess it's theatre.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 7:12pm

When I went to RENT for the first time about a month ago, the guy next to me told me he'd seen it 1,150 times.

Joel is still around?!

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 10:51pm

Yeah, I saw him a few times last summer.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 10:59pm

The most I've seen a show is Sweeney Todd three times, two of which I paid for and one which was a birthday present.

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 3/11/08 at 12:01am

I've seen A Chorus Line 7 times already. First time was my birthday present(full price), second time I paid full price($111), 3rd & 4th times I got standing room ($26.50), 5th & 6th times TKTS ($60) and the last time was a special discount and only paid $45. So over a 1 1/2 years I've paid $329 for 6 tickets($55 average).

Let's do our math here.
111.00 (1)
111.00 (2)
26.50 (3)
25.60 (4)
60.00 (5)
60.00 (6)
45.00 (7)
------
$440.00


Back on topic, you don't want to know how many times I've seen the shows I've worked. I think I'm up to 120 with one of them.

[viola13]

Posted: 3/11/08 at 12:24am

Joel is still around?!

Yep, he told me he's trying to hit 1,200 by the anniversary. And that if the show is on and he has $20 in his wallet, he'll be at lotto.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/12/08 at 4:56am

Is that a real story? Could he already have broken a record?
How can listening to a bunch of people singing NO DAY BUT TODAY over 1,000 times not hint at you that there is a world outside the Nederlander?

[Urban]

Posted: 3/12/08 at 5:52am

If I was forced to listen to "No Day But Today" I would've complete April'd myself along time ago.

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 3/12/08 at 6:49am

I seen shows because there are things you miss the first second and even third time also because it shows you new characters depth and you learn more about the colors of the show....

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/12/08 at 2:32pm

There was a guy named Joel who saw the show over a thousand times. I always thought he was an exemplary Renthead because he was never invasive; he would come, enjoy the performance, smile a lot, and then leave right afterwards. He was there because the show was so powerful, not because he wanted to try to become part of the cast's lives.

— Matt Caplan: http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/8000

Heh.

[kylestefanie]

Posted: 3/12/08 at 2:36pm

I have seen Young Frankenstein over 35 times.
its just as amazing everytime.
I get tickets from scalpers, buy them, idk how ive managed to pay for it. But i do.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/12/08 at 2:38pm

He was there because the show was so powerful, not because he wanted to try to become part of the cast's lives.

So powerful? I wouldn't call someone with that kind of obsession an audience member watching something because it's "powerful". After the hundredth time, therapy would be much more powerful.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/12/08 at 4:31pm

actually, the first time I saw A Chorus Line it was a birthday present that I didn't pay for. So my math is correct at $329.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 8:26am

LES MIZ- 12
PHANTOM- 10
CATS- 7
THE PRODUCERS- 5
MOVIN' OUT- 5
INTO THE WOODS- 3

[Urban]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 9:02am

blaxx - therapy wouldn't just be more powerful, it would also be alot cheaper!

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 3/17/08 at 1:23am

well i live in nyc (well when i'm not at school anyway) so for me seeing a show is a subway ride away, and i always do lotto or rush unless a family member is taking me and got seats in advance or something.