Why Do Shows Let So Many Seats Go Unsold?

It's currently 6:02p. - Out of curisoity, I checked out what's available for Back To The Future's next performance & what the prices are.

It turns out that the next show is tonight's show, which starts in just under 90 minutes from now. - Surprisingly, at least 50% of the center mezzanine hasn't been sold and are still available for $119-$149.

So, my big question is: What happens to those tickets, then? They just go unsold? (I assume that rush & lottery seats have already been distributed for today.) - Why not drop the prices a bit more, if not...dare I say it...a lot? Wouldn't it be better to sell a ticket for $50, rather than let it go unsold, at this point in time.

Simply put, "What's the strategy, here?" - "What am I missing?"

Updated On: 10/29/24 at 06:07 PM

RumTumJM said: "Why not drop the prices a bit more, if not...dare I say it...a lot? Wouldn't it be better to sell a ticket for $50, rather than let it go unsold, at this point in time.

Simply put, "What's the strategy, here?" - "What am I missing?""

Because then why would anyone buy tickets in advance? If they know the production is going to sell whatever is left at 6:00 for $50, why would they pay $150 a week in advance?

Box office will usually give you deals last minute. Telecharge wont.

Also,

My local regional theatre doesn't even have all the orchestra on sale most of the time during their mainstage shows. I have no clue how they make money (though, i hear they get a couple million dollars from the state each year) but i don't really wanna know. Hell, I don't remember the last time the balcony has been open.

Everyone there is having the time on that stage, as long as they're having fun and there's an audience, i don't wanna know. If people miss out then boohoo that's their fault. more 20$ 3rd row student rush seats for me

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tacotheatrelover said: "
dawg thats the week i'm going
what all are you seeing?"

IL Trovatore/Once Upon a Matress/The Outsiders/Hold Onto me Darling/ Great Gatsby/ Oh Mary/Sunset Blvd/Maybe Happy Ending/Swept Away/ Big Gsy Jsmboree/Death Becomes Her

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Beautiful Noise kept its avg ticket prices between $120-$150 during its run even though % attendance was only at 50-60%. The producers know their market (older folks) and preferred this approach rather than selling tickets below $50.

For other shows, they'll know they'll sell tix during the weekends and the hope is to offset the lower grosses on Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays.

Yup the concert tour world is a different animal, and so is the secondary ticket market on Broadway. I've noticed stubhub or theatr app resales do tend to have cheaper prices an hour before the performance starts.