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Sunday, February 25, 2007
How much did you pay?
Chicago Tribune: "As little as two years ago, a last-minute call to the box office for a great Saturday night seat to a hit Broadway show sparked two disappointing words: sold out. Not anymore. If you want to see 'Jersey Boys' at New York's August Wilson Theatre next Friday night -- or any other 'sold out' Broadway attraction -- Telecharge can likely help you. You just hit the 'premium tickets' button on the official Web site. And prepare to shell out $351.50 per ticket."
I fail to see any reason why a person would ever need to pay such a ridiculous amount of money for a theatre ticket. They are expensive as they are without needing to add the cost of a "premium" ticket. The idea is absurd - but of course, will make the theatres tons of money. There is always a way to avoid paying that money however. For one, students can get $20 tickets to LCT shows, and at some theatres, "student rush" tickets the day of the performance for $25. There is also TKTS, where you can get tickets at an average of 50% off the original price. While these options are not always available for sold out performances, what's to stop you from going on another day? Also, I have gone to ticketmaster the night before a performance, and gotten amazing tickets - full price, but not premium price. There is no reason any person should find the need to pay $300 or $400 for a ticket to a show, $100 is enough for me.
ReplyDeleteI love going to see theater, but I really cant think of any reason to spend $300 for a 2 hour show. I'm not sure if this is because the theatre industry is in a slump or if the shows are becoming so technologically advanced that hey need to hike up prices, but really? $300 could be invested in some other areas of my life. I like to do the lottery, just get to the theaters early and put your name in...the chances of you getting a seat is pretty good, and if you don't, just go blow the money on some good food and drinks.
ReplyDeleteI've paid pretty outlandish prices to go see shows. 4th row seats for the Australian Tour of Boy from Oz were 500 apiece, but if I hadn't specially earned that money for that exact thing, I never would have spent that much. The prices were outlandish, ridiculous, and completely unjustified, but it was a helluva lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteI'll never pay that much for a Broadway ticket ever again, unless Hugh Jackman reprises his role in Oklahoma.