If you tune in to Theater Talk this weekend (you can still catch the episode on CUNY TV, Channel 75, Sat. @ 8:30 PM, Sun. @ 12:30 PM, Mon. @ 7:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 7:30 PM), then you'll have the chance to hear ROBERT F.X. SILLERMAN, the Executive Producer of Mel Brooks's YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, discussing the new musical and the controversial ticket pricing (which has since been abolished, with all ticket prices now below $120).
There's a new poll up on the right side of the page that asks "What's the most you've ever spent on tickets to the theater?" but we'd love to have some comments in the box below -- the question we're asking is "How do you feel about the current cost of tickets?"
Consider also, in a recent issue of American Theater magazine, that critic Eric Bentley asked whether or not (for some shows) critics should operate economically instead of critically: that is, "What the Broadway theater needs is a consumer guide. That's what the so-called critics should provide. Tickets, as everyone knows, are very expensive. Before you spend that money, even though you're rich, you want a little guidance as to whether it's going to be well spent."
Is that what the audience really wants, however? Or what it needs?
- Aaron Riccio
Associate Producer, THEATER TALK
Editor, Theater Talk's New Theater Corps
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2 comments:
Ticket prices are obscenely high and I agree w/ Robt. Sillerman, tix should be priced seasonally or on some type of scale that would fill the seats, but not break patrons budgets.
However, the role of a critic is to review the production NOT to grade the ticket price. The price of a ticket should not influence an impartial (ha!) review.
Siobhan
Good morning Susan! I enjoyed your interview with Robert Sillerman. I know you were thinking of the playgoers who can't afford these high prices. Mr. Sillerman suggests that they reduce prices in February. We all know that January through March is the down period in the theater and discounts should be the thing like the winter sale for "Phantom" this year. Mr. Sillerman was talking about rents charged by the theater owners, well mostly all the theaters are owned by the Shuberts, Nederlanders and Jujamcyn and I'm sure they don't care about high prices as long as they make more money.
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