Why Do Shows Let So Many Seats Go Unsold?
Why Do Shows Let So Many Seats Go Unsold?
RumTumJM
Stand-by Joined: 9/16/13
#1Why Do Shows Let So Many Seats Go Unsold?
Posted: 10/29/24 at 6:07pm
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?"
#2Why Do Shows Let So Many Seats Go Unsold?
Posted: 10/29/24 at 6:17pm
Don’t they offer a ticket discount through TKTS?
Beyoncé is not an ally. Actions speak louder than words, Mrs. Carter. #Dubai #$$$
Broadway61004
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/14/11
#3Why Do Shows Let So Many Seats Go Unsold?
Posted: 10/29/24 at 6:43pm
RumTumJM said: "Why not drop the prices a bit more, if not...dare I say it...a lot? Wouldn't it be better to sell a ticket for $50, rather than let it go unsold, at this point in time.
Simply put, "What's the strategy, here?" - "What am I missing?""
Because then why would anyone buy tickets in advance? If they know the production is going to sell whatever is left at 6:00 for $50, why would they pay $150 a week in advance?
inception
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/2/13
#4Why Do Shows Let So Many Seats Go Unsold?
Posted: 10/29/24 at 6:59pm
If no one wants to go it doesn't matter how cheap they try to sell tickets.
Also it sets a bad precedent to sell tickets too cheap. It's better for producers if people expect that they will need to spend $$$$ for Broadway.
And it's a Tuesday. Do New Yorkers go out to Bwy shows on a Tuesday? Or just tourists? When I'm at home during the week I leave work at 3:30, am home by 5, make dinner, watch TV & go to bed. I don't even want to go to a movie midweek, even when prices are cheaper.
This weekend is the NY Marathon, so there will be more people in town. The weekend after has Veteran's Day which will also mean more tourists. (aka Remembrance in Canada where it is a public holiday for most of the country. That's why I'm traveling that week - get 5 days off but only use 4 of my vacation days.) Thanksgiving is a month away - another big weekend to sell tickets.
So probably better to work on getting people in those weekends than worry about tonight.
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Updated On: 10/29/24 at 06:59 PM
yyys
Broadway Star Joined: 6/29/14
#5Why Do Shows Let So Many Seats Go Unsold?
Posted: 10/29/24 at 7:22pm
Box office will usually give you deals last minute. Telecharge wont.
#6Why Do Shows Let So Many Seats Go Unsold?
Posted: 10/29/24 at 7:39pm
inception said: "If no one wants to go it doesn't matter howcheap they try to sell tickets.
Also it sets a bad precedent to sell tickets too cheap. It's better for producers if people expect that they will need to spend $$$$ forBroadway.
And it's a Tuesday. Do New Yorkers go out to Bwy shows on a Tuesday? Or just tourists? When I'm at home during the week I leave work at 3:30, am home by 5, make dinner, watch TV & go to bed. I don't even want to go to a movie midweek, even when prices are cheaper.
This weekend is the NY Marathon, so there will be more people in town. The weekend after has Veteran's Day which will also mean more tourists. (aka Remembrance in Canada where it is a public holiday formost of the country.That's why I'm traveling that week - get 5 days off but only use 4 ofmy vacation days.) Thanksgiving is a month away - another big weekend to sell tickets.
So probably better to work on getting people in those weekends than worry about tonight."
dawg thats the week i'm going
what all are you seeing?
#7Why Do Shows Let So Many Seats Go Unsold?
Posted: 10/29/24 at 7:42pm
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
#8Why Do Shows Let So Many Seats Go Unsold?
Posted: 10/29/24 at 9:00pm
inception said: "And it's a Tuesday. Do New Yorkers go out to Bwy shows on a Tuesday? Or just tourists? "
Yes NYers go to the theatre on Tuesdays, but not to a show like this one, especially not in its closing weeks.
Tuesday is usually my preferred day to go, FWIW.
inception
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/2/13
#9Why Do Shows Let So Many Seats Go Unsold?
Posted: 10/29/24 at 9:17pm
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
...
RumTumJM
Stand-by Joined: 9/16/13
#10Why Do Shows Let So Many Seats Go Unsold?
Posted: 10/29/24 at 9:47pm
Broadway61004 said: "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?"
I guess my thinking is too much in the "concert tour" world, which I now realize is a different animal!
What you're saying makes sense, especailly for shows that stay in one place & do 8 performances a week.
#11Why Do Shows Let So Many Seats Go Unsold?
Posted: 10/29/24 at 10:59pm
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.
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