guess what extended.... — Page 5

"But trying to put an economics-lesson spin on scalping? Really? lol."

Despite the danger of sidetracking this thread:

Tell me one thing that's wrong about what I wrote. Ticket sales that sell out in minutes are inefficient because the people that want the tickets most don't necessarily get them.

I understand the cries of "it keeps all from the richest people from seeing the most desirable events." And when tickets exceed prices that some people can afford, it's unfortunate if they can't get to go even if they would most want to go. But it's far from the cut and dry "That mean man is trying to rip me off and make a buck" anticapitalist mentality that many people hold.

Updated On: 3/26/08 at 03:08 PM

So it looks as though the extension doesn't really effect anyone, since the tickets are all spoken for, right?

For the last performance, yes. But 4 performances (Fri night, Sat mat & night, sun mat) are not on sale, and people with tickets to the second/third/forth last performance are downgrading to tickets further removed from the closing.

Yes, I agree that while willingness to pay and desire to go are positively correlated, they're not perfectly correlated. Unfortunately, neither is ability to go on Ticketmaster to buy them at retail.

If we accept that whoever gets the tickets online are not necessarily the most hardcore fans, but just the people lucky enough to get them (which could include professional scalpers), would most of us turn down the thousands in free money to flip these things if we had the chance? I can't say I would turn it down. Would I give preferential treatment to people that would truly enjoy it? If I could, sure. But me not buying extra seats could mean a professional scalper gets them just as much as the person for whom this event would be life-changing.

I'm not trying to rationalize. I'm just being realistic.

Last request--has anyone else called the BO to exchange tickets for performances OTHER than the final one yet? Were you guaranteed seats to a specific performance? Thanks.

It'll keep extending forever. And ever. Ever.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

No worries Greek, I certainly understand your anger :). I thought, in the context of everyone making fun of coolkid, that no one would take me seriously I'll be sure to post more often so you get used to my sarcasm. This is a theater board--it's supposed to be fun. So, unless provoked, my posts will always be good natured.

Unfortunatley, I am both a theater lover and a capitalist, so sometimes they both tear at me a bit. Let's just say I'd be more likely to share a final ticket for Rent with another theater lover, but would be more likely to make a buck off of Mamma Mia!

I'm so over RENT.

for me, the show only exists now to serve as a platform for new Bway performers (see: the amazing Antonique Smith or the delightful Mr. Christopher Hanke who is featured in "Cry-Baby")

No, of course you're being realistic. I get that. You can make money, so why not? It's not something that I, personally, would be likely to do, but it is making realistic use of the system.

Willingness to pay and desire to go are correlated, yes. But the problem is that willingness to pay comes tacked with an ability to pay. And that is not always correlated with the desire part of it.

I don't really see re-selling tickets on eBay for thousands of dollars as generously motivated by the desire to keep them away from the scalpers or get them in the hands of people who really want them. I see it as a selfish move by which you can make some money. One that happens to be able to be passed off by the potential positives you can find in it. By "oh, well, at least professional scalpers don't have them," or "I'm selling them to real fans!" Those things are true; I'm not going to argue the realism there. And I don't know you; maybe you are some sort of rare, extremely kind, generous soul who really does think that way. But in general, I'm pretty inclined to doubt it. Most people are not that good natured. But whatever, it's not really worth arguing. Just my two cents. And frankly, if my only option to go were to buy a ticket from someone off of eBay for a thousand bucks, knowing what was going on, I don't think I'd be able to do it.

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Updated On: 3/26/08 at 04:03 PM

How soon do you reccon we will need to book for the week beginning August 18th? Don't wanna spent loads on ticks.

And the sad thing is the show and the theatre is in the worst shape it has been in--- ever. I just saw it and with a few exceptions of strengths that have been in the show for years, it is extremely weak and messy. Hopefully some of the replacements will beef up the show for the final weeks and Grief will make a visit to the Nederlander.

I had tickets to the June 1 matinee, and of course got screwed out of them. I also have two ADDITIONAL tickets.

SO if anyone wants tickets between June 2 and September 4th below face value, lemme know the date. I'll exchange them and sell them to you for below face value.

I'm done with this mess. There is no way I will plan on scheudling a trip to NY for the 5th to the last show. It's too difficult to play this game when you live out of town.

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I'm actually happy about it extending, because I might be able to get to New York this summer to see it now! I've never seen it on Broadway, and now maybe I'll get a chance to! I was SO disappointed when I thought it was closing before summer.

I had tickets for May 31st matinee, fourth to last show. I'm furious; some of you can relate.

Who can I call to complain about this/annoy? I've already hit Ticketmaster and the Box Office. Ticketmaster said there was nothing they can do; the box office was not helpful.

How are people invited for the invite-only performances? Do I have to sleep with a producer, or what?

The same people who gave us the lottery now give us this. A lot has changed in ten years.

Okay... so the last performance is the 7th, yet Ticketmaster AND the box office are both selling tickets thru the 4th only?

Makes sense.