Why are Broadway Tees So Expensive ?

[Myron]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 10:35am

I went to purchase an "Avenue Q" tee shirt last week, but the high cost, as well as the limited size selection, no XXL, made me change my mind. A basic tee shirt with no stitching or frills, is $29.95. This is outrageous! I can purchase an "Athens Olympic" tee or a "US Open" tee for about $20. The Broadway tees don't even have designs on both front and back. I investigated and found that ALL shows charge $29.95 for tees; even the simple "Rent" goes for that price. This explains why I have almost never seen these tees being worn. It must be a monopoly as all the tees are the same price. You would think the productions would want the shows advertised.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 10:38am

I've definitely bought Broadway t-shirts for less than that. If they're expensive at the theater, you might want to try one of the Broadway New York stores (across the street from Phantom, under the Marriot Marquis and in Shubert Alley) or www.BroadwayNewYork.com. Last I checked, they weren't that expensive there, and they usually have the same ones that the theaters sell. I have the long-sleeve RENT shirt... I think I paid upwards of $35 for that one, but most of the ones I have weren't more than $20 or $25.

[LadyGuenevere]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 10:38am

They could really charge that much, because I don't think that they have any legal competition...and with the tourists shopping in New York, you get a lot of "But I NEED a Millie shirt!"

So they do get the business and the money that they want.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 10:41am

Some of the shows sell them for less. I think my "C or C" t was $20, as was "Dracula"... had to have it !! LOL

They are actually cheap compared to concert t's. Those are ridiculous !!!

[tthomas76]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 10:46am

There WERE selling Millie & Gypsy shirts at the Shubert gift shop for 12.50 each.. I was just there a couple of weeks ago and they still have some..

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 10:47am

Yup. After the shows close you can get them for like half price... almost time for this girl to stock up on Aida t-shirts!

[tthomas76]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 10:54am

Well, sometimes that's true... I went to the Broadway gift shop by the Olive Garden and they tried to charge me full price!!! So I went to the gift shop by the Shubert and they had t-shirts and hats I think all for half off...

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 10:55am

But I need a Millie shirt! I do, actually.

If you go to a concert, buy one for $10 off the street at the end of the show.

[LadyGuenevere]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 10:57am

Well, now the Millie shirts are cheap. Something GOOD does come out of shows closing...

[cvapb]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 10:57am

Its all about making the money and people are still buying shirts, so they have no reason to lower the price.

[Fair 2 Middlin]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 11:57am

Compared to the cost of most concert tees, Broadway tees are cheap!

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 11:59am

amen.


I intend to have a Hairspray tee in every color.. i don't know why.. but i just want one. LOL. The baby blues are my fave.

[meagan9848]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 12:22pm

order them online. They're usually cheaper and have more of a size selection (I think some shows have XXL)

[timote316]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 2:15pm

I got (and am wearing now, actually) a Producers shirt at the theatre for $20 bucks. Maybe it was 25, but definately not more than that. I don't know if Avenue Q prices are different, but look around. One of the shops will have one cheaper, probably. Check the stores Emcee named, they have everything. Shirts aren't TOO expensive there, but everything else is, unfortunately. $8 for a keychain! (altho, I did buy that keychain... lol)

[little_sally]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 2:27pm

I've definately bought shirts for less than that. I've always thought Broadway tees are a lot less expensive than a shirt at a concert or a sporting event.

[CJR]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 2:29pm

I got my "here she is, boys!" gypsy shirt for $10 bucks.... but that might have been because it was during the two seconds I worked for Dodger.

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 4:27pm

I agree the shirt amount is crazy. I got 2 B'Way shirts for Christmas and when we moved I lost all my B'Way shirts. Those 2 shirts and some of the others were $29 each. I went to try to buy some back but I didn't. =-(