www.ticketnews.com: Broadway is already back, but September brings with it a number of high profile shows reopening, and with them the famed TKTS ticket booth in New York’s Times Square. The booth, run by the nonprofit organization TDF, sells tickets to both Broadway and off-Broadway productions. Tickets to same-day shows and next-day matinees are often available at a steep discount.
6 comments:
Wow it is crazy that Broadway is reopening. I am so glad to see that Broadway is back, but at the same time, I am still scared as the Delta variant is still causing many cases and people are still getting sick. It is reassuring that they are requiring vaccines though, so hopefully that means that no one will get very sick from COVID for seeing a Broadway show. It is great that Broadway workers are getting their jobs back and the industry seems to be coming back. And I do think this article is right, I think that TKTS opening is such a signifier for Broadway being back. TKTS is a staple in NY for the Broadway and Off Broadway community. The first time I went to TKTS was because it was pouring and I wanted to go inside and see a show so I got a ticket, so now I think about the people in NY with their rain and wonder if anyone else will have a similar experience. But also I hope it’s not flooded.
Of course, re-opening Broadway and restoring jobs in the industry is exciting! However, I wonder how much initial business TKTS will be able to do. All of the TKTS attendants returning to jobs is fantastic, but will there be a demand for TKTS tickets? Additionally, is TKTS returning to their pre-covid number of employees? I would assume that Broadway will be seeing an increase in popularity for the next few months. Theatre goers are enthusiastic to return to Broadway houses. This means that many tickets will be bought in advance. In fact, when tickets became available for popular productions like “Hadestown” and “Hamilton”, they sold out fast. On the other hand, theatres are opening at their full capacity. We may see walk up tickets available to patrons last minute. I am interested and look forward to seeing the number of ticket sales and profits TKTS makes in the coming months.
I share the sentiment that the TKTS booth is such an iconic symbol of Broadway. Every show I saw in NYC was preceded by a wait in this line or a rush line outside the theatre. It still feels surreal that all these shows are opening when COVID concerns and mitigation is still a part of all our daily lives. I'm sure these performers are elated to be taking the stage again after the longest break they never asked for. I wonder if the theatres are having any backlash from patrons not wanting to show vaccination cards at the door, or wear masks. I've encountered some stubborn audience members taking it out on the ushers and it's not a friendly scene to witness. I'm also curious if more shows have alternates from demanding roles, considering the collective emotional damage from the past year, as well as the need to build up the stamina of an 8-show week. I hope the actors and technicians are taken care of more thoughtfully throughout this adjustment period.
I am so excited to see that TKTS is opening back up. This is one of the most accessible ways to attend a Broadway show and with the reopening of Broadway, I have already been seeing how expensive these tickets are going to be. I am interested to see whether TKTS is also going to be more expensive this year and also what kinds of fees they will be adding on to the tickets. That’s one thing about COVID that I have been noticing is that since the industry has been closed for so long, organizations have been adding so many fees on top of the ticket cost that end up almost doubling the cost of the ticket. Hopefully they can continue to keep the cost down and the line moving. I also hope they have plans in place to promote some distancing or masking in the line because I have seen how crazy that gets and the amount of people all standing together can get really large.
We’re all eager to have life open back up and Broadway returning is a light at the end of the tunnel for many of us. But will requiring masks and vaccination cards be enough to protect the Broadway community? I’m surprised TKTS and Broadway haven’t incorporated other social distancing and COVID protocols that will be enforced. There is no mention of whether or not consignment stands will be opened or if theaters will be at full capacity. Having proof of vaccination will help, but that doesn’t guarantee safety especially with how contagious the Delta variant is. This isn’t just a consumer concern, this impacts all Broadway staff, including actors, orchestra members, and crew. I’m worried that pushing to go all in will hurt everyone more in the long run if they have to shut down again.
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