Young Frankenstein

[jakebloke]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 1:47pm

If this is by any means true, I hope this show is critically panned leading to a drastic demise falling flat on its face and failing miserably. The arrogance and greed.

http://modernfabulousity.blogspot.com/2007/06/stage-addiction-supporting-serious.html

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 1:52pm

Honey, do a search.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 1:52pm

There was already some thread on this, but I agree with you. I hope the show tanks. It deserves to. Note, the people in it don't deserve it, but the greedy producers/production staff deserve to loose every cent.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 1:53pm

Old news....where have you been? lol

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 1:54pm

God, you people need to see things in perspective.

Buy a balcony ticket. It won't kill you. Updated On: 6/26/07 at 01:54 PM

[p.s.]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 1:54pm

If this is by any means true ...

This is the part that is not true:
The irony, of course, is that if you're willing to wait out the buzz and hit the box office on the day-of-show, there will be great seats available for cheap. I know, it's ridiculous, but it's true.


p.s. The arrogance and greed.



Updated On: 6/26/07 at 01:54 PM

[jakebloke]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 2:07pm

Trust me, I did a search which resulted in nothing. I've read too many attacks on other posters so I know better. Sorry.


Updated On: 6/26/07 at 02:07 PM

[artscallion]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 2:28pm

My perspective on it is that it stinks because it has nothing to do with the quality of the product. (After all, nobody, including the creaters, even knows what the quality of the show will be at this point.) It only has to do with what they think they can get out of people. It's not about supply and demand. It's all about demand and nothing about supply. This to me is the equivelant of price gauging. If we think it's wrong with gas prices, why would we just wave it off here?

I also feel that it reinforces the classist idea that only the rich have access to certain things. Which, in a capitalist society is the reality. But on a humanistic level is a repugnant notion.

Sure I can sit in the balcony, but it sucks eggs that it's my only realistic option.

I think we should all save our balcony seat money and pool it together to pay Cloris Leachman to go kick the man's @ss.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 3:09pm

But, if I sit in the balcony, I won't get to see Sutton's teeth!!!!!

[B3TA07]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 3:35pm

That would certainly ruin the duet between Sutton's teeth and Mullally's tits.

[TabooPhan1]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 3:55pm

Ok, not to sound like the asshole on the message board, but it's not like Brooks hasn't earned the right to be a little ridiculous. He was a writer for Sid Caesar, his movies are literally legend and ground-breaking, and his last musical made musical theatre history (and for good reason, in my opinion). Would I spend 4 hundred+ dollars for tickets? No. Can I see why someone would? Yes. So we'll wait for the hype to die down, prices will come down, and everyone will be happy. Otherwise, I can't really find it in my heart to hate Mel Brooks when he's one of the great talents that should be making top dollar instead of the no-talent pop stars that make millions for doing one lip-synced concert.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 4:26pm

Its theatre for the wealthy. Because of this, I'm sorry to say, I hope it bombs.

On a side note - wasn't Young Frankenstein originally Gene Wilders idea and based mainly on his script? You hear Mel Brooks "Young Frankenstein" but hardly any mention is made of Gene Wilder.

And while I love Mel Brooks early works, his movies the 15 years have sucked, big time. His ego definitely got too big.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 4:31pm

As, much as I am not happy with these prices, I can not believe some of you hope this show bombs. Do you want the cast to be out of a job? The investors to lose money? How would you like it if Mel Brooks said he hoped you fail at something.


Really, people...

Updated On: 6/29/07 at 04:31 PM

[nygrl23]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 4:40pm

I think all I'm ever gonna see of this show is whatever broadway.com puts up behind-the-scenes wise (if we're allowed to see even THAT, because ya know, it'll be free), and whatever shows up on youtube courtesy of camera smugglers. :) (serve 'em right, it will)

They wouldn't be charging this price if they didn't think there was a high demand--is there a high demand? Apparently the Producers sealed Mel inside a bubble and he no longer understands reality.

I think people should dress up as angry villagers as per the movie and protest outside the theater, with torches and pitchforks as well as digital cameras and blackberries.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 2:53pm

"How would you like it if Mel Brooks said he hope you fail at something."




He'd sound like he was in The Color Purple.

[ashers2u]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 4:11pm

this is just really sad to me...here we are, so often commenting on or hearing how the public's interest in broadway and theater is not what it used to be...yet these producers just keep jacking up the prices of shows. Is it clear to anyone else that maybe these sky-rocketing prices are partly the reason for the diminishing interest for Broadway? Even the cheapest tickets to a show (balcony seats or whatever) are many times higher than what some families with 3 or 4 kids might be able to afford...and the lottos? Again, those aren't really options for people who are with their families and can't all win the cheaper tickets. I understand that the producers need to make some money, but when they get greedy, they are keeping their productions out of the reach of so many who might enjoy it or feel enriched by it. it makes me sad..

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 4:28pm

While what you posted is logical, it is only really half of the reason why ticket prices are so high.

The types of shows that run, that attract audiences, that bring in the big bucks, are shows that cost $12 million and ups to produce on Broadway. That's partially why ticket prices have to be so high, that's the ONLY way the show has a chance at recouping and having any future life (abroad or on the road, or licensing etc)...

If the "audiences" that you are talking about would pay $30 to see a musical about you know, a small family that takes place in a house, that show would be produced. But alas, audiences are not interested in seeing what they can already see for free back home. They want ABBA songs, or flying witches, or flying nannies, or ditzy blondes saving the day. And those types of shows, have high ticket prices...

Updated On: 6/27/07 at 04:28 PM

[allofmylife]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 4:42pm

The reason the prices are so high isn't because Mel is greedy or lives in a bubble.

The reason is very simple.

During the run of the Producers, Mel and his investors watched as the tickets for his show were bought by shills for the ticket scalpers, who then sold the tickets for hundreds of dollars on ebay and through hotel concierges.

Every ticket in the first 20 rows on many nights disappeared into the hands of people who resold them for a small fortune.

Since the state of New York will do nothing to stop this the producers opf the Producers decided to sell the ticket THEMSELVES for the high price. Why shouldn't they get that money?

Why should some ex Russian mobster make himself rich off the backs of the investors (and don't think for a minute that there isn't collusion with box office staff at that price).

By charging the high price and eliminating the pimps, er, middlemen, some sanity was brought to the process.

Don't think for a minute that you are going to get front row tickets at 110 dollars to Young Frankenstein if they are sold for that. They'll just vanish and the same people who are ready and willing to pay 450 dollars will do so.

[ashers2u]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 4:45pm

i totally see your point...and i do agree that audiences are more demanding nowadays...but is a $496 ticket really what they need to produce these shows without seeing them fail? i mean isn't that overdoing it a little??

also, regarding what you said..it seems almost like a vicious cycle. the public keeps demanding more spectacle in theater, yet this costs more money to produce, yet the public won't pay this much money unless the show REALLY has something amazing to offer...etc etc.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 4:47pm

It is a vicious cycle, and the presence of corporations on Broadway does not help (ie Disney, Warner, Fox, MGM etc). Cause these groups have unlimited funds, whereas shows that don't have that kind of direct access to millions of dollars still need to keep up with the wagon.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 4:49pm

The price was set to exactly what the scalpers were charging. The scalpers realized they couldn't charge more, so they moved on to another show....

And that's the way it goes.

BTW, the price of opera tickets is even higher.

Remember that you are seeing a LIVE performance of handmade art that is only shown (in the beginning) in one theater in the whole world.

Maybe it'll be worth it. The firast few nights audiences would pay anything to see the show, so base the value on what happens in week five.... (but if it's a hit, try year five....)

[Born To Reign]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 5:04pm

I like this thread juxtaposed with the one about the A Chorus Line lottery. Everyone there is complaining that actors don't make enough to buy house seats. It's basic economics:

People buy tickets.

That money is used to pay actors.

Therefore, if actors are going to be payed more... Right! Tickets will cost more!

We all want actors to make tons of money, but it seems like nobody actually wants to be the one to pay them.

Don't like the prices? Don't buy the tickets. Whoever said Mel Brooks is making a call on demand before the supply and demand is known is absolutely right. In the end, we'll see. It will either be the worst or best decision to charge that much, and only time will tell if people are willing to pay.

And whoever mentioned Sutton's teeth and Megan's tits: You'll still see 'em, even from the balcony!

gentlemen... start your flaming!

Updated On: 6/27/07 at 05:04 PM

[heil myself!]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 5:06pm

These prices...aren't...confirmed.

[ErinDillyFan]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 5:13pm

As far as I see it, this is just rumor. It may not be true.

I just can't see a show making it very long with those ticket prices. There is a limited number of people willing to pay over $400 a ticket. They proved there are over 100 per performance with the Producers (at least with Lane & Brodrick). I doubt there are 1000. There are surely that many for opening night or week. If true, who does Mel Brooks think he is Barbra Streisand?

[ben4]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 5:16pm

$65 for a student ticket up in the balcony...hmmm....

I think I can cross "Young Frankenstein" off my list now...lol