General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHAMILTON's new $849 top ticket price spurs worries over theater elitism
Crain's New York Business:But the new $849 Hamilton tickets that producers introduced to American Express cardholders on June 7 and to the general public a week later are less of a hit in some quarters of the business. Although they appear to be selling well on Ticketmaster, there are concerns that the 55% price hike could advance the perception that theater is elitist and inspire other increases. Broadway "might price itself out of the marketplace," Stephen Byrd, lead producer of the drama Eclipsed, said on the red carpet before the awards. "We're getting into opera ticket price range." He didn't make a scapegoat of Hamilton, however, calling it a "once-in-a-lifetime" phenomenon. "Scalping is driving the prices up."
Lead producer Jeffrey Seller said on June 8 that he introduced the new price after being frustrated that resellers were charging many times his tickets' face value and that the Hamilton team wasn't sharing in the profits. He told The New York Times that he arrived at $849 by averaging prices he saw in the secondary market.
...snip...
Luis Miranda Jr., a political and corporate consultant and father of Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, noted that producers are also doubling the number of same-day, $10 lottery seats, to 46. "I always try to see the glass half-full rather than half-empty," he said while approaching the Beacon.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Or if they license the thing to high schools, and I can watch some young thespians earnestly butcher it with all good intent.....
It looks wonderful--from what little I've seen; snippets on talk shows, etc.
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)...is to buy a theater season subscription. That's according to the CBS news affiliate here, which ran a story about this last week.
Skinner
(63,645 posts)I really want to see it but I suspect I may have to wait a long time for the price to come down.
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)octoberlib
(14,971 posts)Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)nt
hunter
(38,301 posts)... and made do with thrift store videos.
Big city theater has always been elitist.
melman
(7,681 posts)That's not true at all. Broadway shows used to be an affordable thing for families to do. My dad used to take us a lot when I was growing up.
hunter
(38,301 posts)So maybe it's a symptom of increasing disparities of wealth and urban gentrification.
Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)And if that is over $800, that is what they need to charge. Because if they charge below the market value, the tickets will be bought up by scalpers and resold at the fair market value. At least if the theaters charge the fair market value all of the profit goes to the producers and performers, who deserve it, as opposed to the scalpers.
Mendocino
(7,480 posts)If someone can even consider spending that kind of money on a nights entertainment...!!!???
msongs
(67,343 posts)with broadway shows. the touring shows will cost much less and be edited, frequently to cut the running time
kentuck
(111,049 posts)a good Republican. Adored by many on the left and the right.
FLPanhandle
(7,107 posts)I'd rather the money go to the producers and actors, than the re-seller.
However, Hamilton is a great example of hype building demand combined with weak competition on Broadway. Hamilton was good but I've seen much better shows on Broadway. It's the best show playing now though.
Wait for the hype to die down and ticket prices will plummet.
brooklynite
(94,296 posts)tenderfoot
(8,425 posts)Because everyone is doing so swimmingly? Especially you?
MADem
(135,425 posts)I can't afford to buy a ticket to Hamilton--I couldn't justify it, I have family who need that kind of cash before spending it on that pricey a ticket.
But if that's the going rate, someone is affording it. It just ain't me.
No need for you, though, to be singling out a DUer and getting all ugly like that.