Why are Lea Salonga concert tickets so expensive?!?

[ElphieZ]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 2:17pm

I logged onto to ticketmaster.com to check out the ticket prices for Lea's concert in Los Angeles at the Universal Amphitheater. First, I was surprised she is playing at such a large venue--Brian Stokes Mitchell AND Barbara Cook are performing at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, and Linda Eder has played at the Wiltern, both are less commercialized (though still known) venues.

Second, her ticket prices are up to $200!!! I was surprised that even front orchestra tickets are over $100. I've always loved Lea's voice, but I didn't think she was that big of a draw, especially in Los Angeles (as opposed to NY or London or Asia?). I'd expect those prices for Sarah Brightman or some more mainstream pop/rocker, but Lea Salonga? Am I missing something here? I know I missed out on a few key shows during the years I was in grad school, but I didn't think I misse that much!

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 2:45pm

you're right, I was really shocked when I checked how much tickets cost.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 3:49pm

Hee.

I don't know what idiotic promoter thought that they could get away with charging $200 bucks a ticket for Lea Solonga at that venue.

There are plenty of front-row seats still available, according to Ticketmaster.

My prediction? She cancels, due to lack of ticket sales. And then fires her handler. Updated On: 1/19/05 at 03:49 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 4:54pm

That's crazy. Legends with huge followings like Cher and Bette Midler can barely get away with prices like those (Bette had to cut the price of the prime orchestra seats to her last set of Radio City shows down to $85 because of slow ticket sales).

Who on earth would pay that much to see Lea Salonga (though she's certainly talented)?

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 4:57pm

Well she has to pay the bills someway. And it's not like we've seen her onstage in anything recently.

Seriously though, thats rediculous. The Rolling Stones don't even charge that much.

[ElphieZ]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 5:01pm

I'm so relieved I'm not the only one who feels that way. I thought I was missing something! I've got tickets to see Brian Stokes and Barbara Cook performing TOGETHER and it was $85 for Orchestra tickets. I think Linda Eder is a much more widely known singer and her tickets were "only" $60! Thanks for the input everyone!

[nostrngattachd]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 7:09pm

hi i read on a press release that the 200 dollar vip tickets include a reception and meet and greet afterwards. but still that kind of money to see just her is ridiculous and i am a huge fan.

[Joshua488]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 7:09pm

Because she's that fabulous.

[ElphieZ]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 8:20pm

At least you get to meet her for $200...I noticed that on ticketmaster.com NO one has gone for those though--still plenty of row AA seats available!

Although, I saw her visiting a friend at the Wicked stage door...I could have met her for free!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 9:15pm

Well, at least the reception and meet and greet is included, but it is still very pricey.

[nostrngattachd]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 11:16pm

does anyone know what she will be singing

[ElphieZ]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 2:21am

nope, but if I were buying tickets and wanted to get money's worth the staples (les mis, saigon, mulan) would definitely have to be included.

Actually, a few backflips and handsprings by Lea might make me feel that the high cost is worth it!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 8:09am

Ok, forget the meet and greet, orchestra seats are still $75 and $100. Expect a mostly empty theatre. I haven't seen much promotion on this, only musical theatre fans know who she is (and most of them outside NYC don't know about her stint in Baby), and she's been out of it for years.

[ElphieZ]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 11:38am

I agree Mister Matt! The Cy Coleman Stage Benefit I went to right before Coleman passed on (the proceeds of which went to a great cause) were $40-$150 a ticket. And for that price Alice Ripley, Brian Stokes, Chita Rivera, Lorenzo Lamas (didn't sing), Lillias White, Cy Coleman (RIP), Marin Mazzie, Nancy Dussault, Valerie Pettitford, Tyne Daly, and a TON of other great performers sang for two hours. And tax deductible!

[sanda]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 2:31pm

You are so lucky to watch Brian Stokes Mitchell. It seems that he did a lot performance in CA.

I won't spend $200 for Lea Salonga.

[nostrngattachd]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 2:50pm

does she have a website promoting her tour
??

[ElphieZ]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 3:21pm

I don't know. That's how much I follow her, even though I listen to her songs all the time! I found out about her concert through playbill, and then rushed to check tickets on ticketmaster.com. When I saw the prices, my jaw dropped and I promptly logged on to the message boards to ask what the #^%&^@#????

[ElphieZ]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 3:21pm

I don't know. That's how much I follow her, even though I listen to her songs all the time! I found out about her concert through playbill, and then rushed to check tickets on ticketmaster.com. When I saw the prices, my jaw dropped and I promptly logged on to the message boards to ask what the #^%&^@#????

[nostrngattachd]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 9:44am

does anyone else have any more information about this tour
??????????????? thanks

[ElphieZ]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 12:56pm

Playbill's Diva Talk reposted her concert dates.Its too expensive for me to do anymore research into it!

[MouseInfo]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 5:37pm

Here ya go...


Lea Salonga Concert Updated On: 1/21/05 at 05:37 PM

[TheaterBuff2]

Posted: 2/5/05 at 6:48am

Lea Salonga is an awesome talent!!! It is her first concert tour, and there are a number of different ticket prices. It is well worth the price of admission, I have tickets and all my friends have tickets and all their friends have tickets and it seems that the good seats are moving fast. There are even ticket companies aside from ticketmaster that are selling some of the $100 tickets at 4 times the face value. To hear her perform live in concert worth the price of admission, I would not miss this for the world!!!

[vjRichie]

Posted: 2/5/05 at 11:46am