When the marketing copy reads "strictly limited engagement," I've found the advertised closing date generally accurate. But if it says only "limited engagement," then there's usually wriggle room if demand escalates. It is possible producers Broccoli & Zollo could find two other highly marketable stars to follow when H & D leave for their respective film commitments. We'll just have to wait and see.

Ellen

quote:

Originally posted by Meredith:
I just checked for premium tickets the night I'm going (Oct. 9) and they were 2 tickets, Center Orch, Row B for $351/ea. - ouch!

My seats are left Orch. and I wish they were center. I thought about buying these and re-selling mine. But, I don't know. Do you guys think I'll regret not sitting center???

First, I wonder why they chose the weekend of October 9-11 to price all NEW premium seats at $ 351.50. Is this a trial balloon for weekend pricing?

I think a musical (such as TBFO) can usually be appreciated in even the furthest seats away because the action is usually more spread out on the stage.

As this is a two-character drama, I cannot see how the two leads could really be walking all over the stage so that the side sections of Orchestra/Mezz could also have occasional excellent views of the actors -- I hope I am expressing myself correctly ... Of course I am just second-guessing John Crowley's staging of the play

It depends on whether you think the experience of seeing what's happening onstage merits the additional cost of such well-placed seats.

If you decide to get the center-premium seats, why not get in touch with Customer Service and ask if they can allow an upgrade of your seat so you need pay only for the difference? I used to do this for TBFO and it worked out fine. Except this time I am not so sure if the present policy still allows it.

Jo

quote:

It is possible producers Broccoli & Zollo could find two other highly marketable stars to follow when H & D leave for their respective film commitments. We'll just have to wait and see.

I am thinking of the same thing. Hugh and Daniel are probably on a strictly limited engagement as they have filming commitments. Hugh is due to film almost right after December 6.

If the play turns out to be truly excellent and draws raves for the quality of the material, it probably would not be difficult to get the play extended with a different set of actors. Of course, the box office magnet of these two actors will probably not be duplicated but still there could a chance for a decent run after Hugh and DC leaves the play. Maybe they will adjust the pricing back to the original structure

Who could they find to replace the two? If Liev is not due to return to Broadway in the spring, maybe he could be one? The Chicago actors were universally praised, but they are still not recognizable as Broadway names/draws. Plus, they will have to conform to the revised staging ( if any) by John Crowley.

Jo

quote:

Is buying tickets for a Broadway show always this confusing? I guess for people with unlimited funds it doesn't matter but for average people who aren't accustomed to buying tickets for shows, it sounds like a nightmare

I have a feeling that what also prompted this approach to pricing premium seats ( the pricing policy for non-premium remains the same) is seeing how all those ticket brokers/secondary market sources are now pricing tickets for A STEADY RAIN when it has not even opened and it is not known how the show will be received. I was shocked to see a Row A-Center priced at $ 1200 each at Stubhub in one performance

This is like deja vu -- remember those crazy last weeks of TBFO when tickets were becoming very expensive at the secondary market ( aka not bought from the box office)? And that insane demand for tickets for the last show???

Maybe the producers think they should also be entitled to what the market bears rather than all those secondary market sellers?? It looks like we are getting a lesson on how the law of supply and demand operates at its most efficient - sigh!

Jo

quote:

First, I wonder why they chose the weekend of October 9-11 to price all NEW premium seats at $ 351.50. Is this a trial balloon for weekend pricing?

Mon Oct 12th is Columbus Day - and for some lucky people a holiday. Perhaps this is 'holiday weekend' pricing.

You probably hit it on the nose, Karppool!

I wonder if this is the reason why they have not released a performance schedule for Thanksgiving weekend ( Friday matinee, Friday evening, Saturday matinee and evening, Sunday matinee) - they are probably thinking of a special-price ( aka top pricing) weekend for all the shows. Sigh!

Jo

quote:

Originally posted by jo:


As this is a two-character drama, I cannot see how the two leads could really be walking all over the stage so that the side sections of Orchestra/Mezz could also have occasional excellent views of the actors -- I hope I am expressing myself correctly ... Of course I am just second-guessing John Crowley's staging of the play

It depends on whether you think the experience of seeing what's happening onstage merits the additional cost of such well-placed seats.


Jo

What a cruel thing to say to a horribly indecisive pisces

LOL - Meredith

Sometimes we do a crazy thing or two in our life - after all, not all moments of joy can be measured by $ and cents

I am worse - I am travelling halfway across the world just for a 90-minute play ...But as I had done the same thing last year just to see the almost-180 minute long AUSTRALIA on an American screen, shared with other worldwide openings ( except by some fluke it did not open here till the end of January), this sounds more like a more reasonable and less impulsive but still crazy action - LOL! Seeing Hugh onstage is so much better than seeing him onscreen ( I am more of a theatre person than a movie person ).

Seriously, be glad that you were not around when we were all succumbing to all the hype ( but most deserved!) during the crazy days of TBFO!


Jo

It looks like there may be performances for Thanksgiving weekend after all ( except one cannot buy tickets yet) because this rule was made part of the ticket page --

quote:

Ticket Limit
If you are purchasing tickets for a single performance (excluding any Saturday evening or any performance October 9 - October 11; November 23 - November 29) a total of 8 tickets may be purchased per 30 day period.

If you are purchasing tickets for multiple performances, or for any Saturday evening, or any performance between October 9 - October 11; November 23 - November 29, a total of 8 tickets may be purchased per 30 day period. Tickets purchased which exceed these limits will be returned.

Are they likely to charge higher prices for those dates for certain premium seats or for all premium seats ( except for November 24/25 which have already quoted prices for certain premium seats) ??? Sigh!


Plus they have increased the regular price to $ 135 for the top tier for non-premium seats for certain dates -- Sigh!

quote:

For performances November 24 & 25; December 1 & 2:
Orchestra: $135.00
Mezzanine (Rows A-F): $135.00
Mezzanine (Rows G-H): $86.50
Mezzanine (Rows J-K): $66.50

I wonder how they keep track of all the different pricing rules

Jo

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jo,

quote:

Originally posted by jo:
LOL - Meredith

Sometimes we do a crazy thing or two in our life - after all, not all moments of joy can be measured by $ and cents

I am worse - I am travelling halfway across the world just for a 90-minute play ...But as I had done the same thing last year just to see the almost-180 minute long AUSTRALIA on an American screen, shared with other worldwide openings ( except by some fluke it did not open here till the end of January), this sounds more like a more reasonable and less impulsive but still crazy action - LOL! Seeing Hugh onstage is so much better than seeing him onscreen ( I am more of a theatre person than a movie person ).

Seriously, be glad that you were not around when we were all succumbing to all the hype ( but most deserved!) during the crazy days of TBFO!


Jo

And this will be my first time seeing him in person...GAAAAA!!!! Okay, I need serious help here. My current seats are left orch, row E seats 9 &11 (which are about 5 seats off aisle). I paid $130/ea. The seats they're offering are Center Orch, Row B, seats 113 &114 (aisle), $351/ea. If I was purchasing for the first time I'd get them, no doubt. But since my existing seats are so close (and less expensive) I'm having trouble justifying the price difference. Can someone with a rational brain (which I apparently do not possess) help me out here!



May I also add that they seem to be asking $351 for *all* remaining floor seats! Even the behind our current seats! The only regular seats left are Mezz Row G and back selling for $91. Talk about a price boost! What is the deal with that weekend

Jo, I was curious to see Julia R. on stage, too. But I was glad I went standing room. I would not have wanted to pay more than $25 to see her lackluster performance. On the other hand, the newly "hot" (at least in terms of buzz) Paul Rudd and Bradley Cooper were quite effective. I even managed to get an empty orchestra seat for the second act.

Meredith, if you've already got a ticket and are thinking of an additional one, I recommend hitting the box office the day or two before for cancellations. Chances are you'll pay less for a better seat. If you already have a ticket, that's your "insurance policy," so you know you'll be seeing it at any rate.

Ellen

Sorry, Ellen - I deleted my post

But you are right -- Julia was a bit of a non-entity especially in the first act -- weak stage presence and weak voice, I'm afraid. She was a bit better in the second act.

I guess I was curious enough to want to see her a bit closer to the front ( but I only paid regular, not premium price). Also, now that they are more well-known, I use my bragging rights about Paul Rudd and Bradley Cooper

Jo

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jo,

Ellen,

Just curious - why are there cancellations when Telecharge says there are no exchanges or refunds? I can only think of instances when they allow upgrades to pricier seats.

Or is this euphemism for seats that were not sold or given as comps?

Jo

quote:

Originally posted by Meredith:
Thanks Nancy. It's tempting but I know you're right. I'm sure I'll be fine in my current seats. I must say, if it was Houdini and Hugh was singing, strapped down over a tank of water I don't think any form of logic could stop me!

LOL! And half naked to boot! You are quite right!

Nancy

I just deleted a post--I realize I lost my mind Meredith! LOL! In answer to your question, I would keep the less expensive row E seats! They are quite fine if you ask me!

Nancy

Jo, I've long wondered about that, too. Maybe there are standing corporate accounts that hold seats for clients as well as more comps than are sometimes needed. In any case, there are nearly always some seats available even for sold-out shows; hence every theater has a cancellation line.

Ellen

quote:

Originally posted by Jackman's Georgia Peach:
I just deleted a post--I realize I lost my mind Meredith! LOL! In answer to your question, I would keep the less expensive row E seats! They are quite fine if you ask me!

Nancy

Of course, if I could sell my less expensive seats they technically could pay for part of my higher priced, more Hugh-friendly seats....

If you've got the extra money, why don't you get tickets to see the play a second time? Double the amount of minutes enjoying Hugh on stage.

As for sitting even closer than row E, Hugh fills the theatre with his stage presence and personal charisma. IMO there is little difference in the two seat locations, especially not for nearly twice the cost.

quote:

hence every theater has a cancellation line.

I was in such a line with my nieces for WICKED because one of them wanted to see it again on a whim and we needed an extra ticket. But it was a long line and we were at the end of the queue. But that turned out to be a good thing, because when a man approached the queue with an offer of a ticket at cost ( it was an excellent seat), I was the first one who heard him ( and raised my hand immediately) - LOL!

Jo

Meredith -

Another thing to keep in mind is how intimate Broadway theatres are. I saw Passion at the Schoenfeld and it's amazing that their seating capacity is almost 1100. It feels much smaller.