Young Frankenstein

Honey, do a search.

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

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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

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.

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

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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.

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.

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..

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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.

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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.

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!

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

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?