Kevin

Quick question for the NYC theater crowd: we'll be in NYC this weekend (somewhat unexpectedly) and want to see The Producers.
Lots of online ticket brokers hawking tix at expected inflated prices.
My question: if we try to find scalp/broker tickets in town on short notice will we find better or worse prices and availability?
Mid mezzanine tickets are around $300 apiece online. Orchstra prices start at $500.
Anyone with any recent experience?

anne

that's the going rate locally. The show is excellent. There has been a standby line, but you could easily wait for hours and be disappointed. Wish I had better news for you. Enjoy the holiday & welcome to NY.

Parrot Mom

Just received tickets via mail for Contact from the internet for next Saturday for $55.00 (price on tickets is $90.00), 10th row right of center.. www.hitshow.com We had a choice of several shows..

NewYork

We were offered "any price" for our tickets, we didn't take the offer-but because of the high prices going for scalped tickets, the theater has started holding back seats and on the night of the performance, selling them for scalper rates, I have heard they are $450.00 each. Unless you go to the box office, the only option is Ticketmaster and they do not go above a certain amount by law.Try them first--our seats from the box office,were $100 each.

NewYork

Re: Contact-that show is not sold out, and always has availability,and dropped their ticket prices after 9/11..It is a very good and entertaining show if The Producers does not happen for you~

Howard

The only way you'll do better is to get to the box office early (say 8-8:30 a.m.), wait in line for 8-10 hours and hope you'll be lucky enough to get a cancellation...or perhaps $31 standing room tickets!
PS: This is a busy weekend for the theater in NY. While there will still be some bargains, there won't be as many as has been the case since 9/11.

Frank

Kevin: There is no show on earth I would pay $300-$500 for tickets. I would rather put that money toward a vacation. There are lots of shows at 50% off at the tickets booth which I'm sure you will enjoy just as much as the Producers. Probably more when you think of all the money you saved. Believe me, no show will live up to $1,000 for a pair of orchestra seats. Don't get caught up in the hype, it's so 1990's. Enjoy your stay in the city and put the money to better use.

Marcie

There are a lot on ebay right now but maybe not for your date...?? you could look. Good Luck.

Patrick

Frank, just because you are obviously not a theatre person who can understand how a once in a lifetime combination of actors, sets, music, and story line can come together, please don't suggest that it wouldn't be worth it to other people. It is unfortunate that you consider it so "90's" although I'm not sure if you are referring to theatre in general or the Producers. I have friends who spent well over $1000 each just to see the show. Although they got the tickets at regular price they made a special trip to New York just to see it as they knew it would be their only chance ever to see Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane perform together in what many true theatre goers believe is the best Broadway musical ever. Suggesting that you can just pick up tickets to another show at half price and enjoy it just as much because you're saving money indicates how unimportant theatre is to you. But to some of us, it might easily be worth the big bucks. Just as some people pay $1000 or more for opera tickets, or for a Barbra Streisand concert, or a boxing match, we all have different tastes and decide what we think our limits are to do something that is really important to us.
Kevin, it would hurt me a lot to have to pay that kind of money, but I have seen the show and in my opinion yes it is worth it, if that is the only way you will get to see it. Think of it this way: it could easily make up for three or four mediocre shows that together would cost the same price.

Howard

My compliments, Patrick. You've articulated quite well a point of view that many of us share.

tommy

I am fortunate to live in NY and enjoy theater immensely. I estimate I attend a show about ten times a year. I find it unfortunate that the price of theater tickets is so high, but don't mind spending $80 - $100 for a quality show. However, I find the idea of spending $1000 to entertain one's self for 1 - 2 hours repulsively selfish and extravagant. Imagine what that $1000 would provide for the orphan of a NY firefighter or a starving Afghan child.
But that certainly can't compare to Matthew Broderick's mediocre voice and Nathan Lane's typical over the top, exasperating style.

Jen

See the Tony-winning Best Musical CONTACT for just $40 --
if you order by November 25.

(Offer good for all performances Jan. 8-Mar. 31, except Sat.
eves.)

"CONTACT is unabashedly joyous! It takes the chill right
out of flu season. An effervescent hit!" -- Brantley, New
York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/ads/email/contact1.html?rd=hcmcp?p=041XUL041XUy444Vs012000mV f6CVfRh

susan

Who wants to bet Tommy hasn't seen The Producers?

Frank

My compliments, Tommy. You've articulated quite well a point of view that many of us share.

Patrick: Living in Manhattan, I've attended many a Broadway show, Noises Off just last weekend. But yes I do have my limits and I don't think Broadway tickets, even the almight Producers, are worth $1,000 a ticket. Incidentially, have you heard that Nathan Lane is a frequent no-show?Rather ironic isn't it?

Patrick

As a nerdy accountant, Matthew Broderick's "mediocre" voice makes for perfect casting. And thank God for Nathan Lane's over the top impersonation of an over the top character -- Max Bialistock (sp?). What do we call the famous performance of the same character given by the great Zero Mostel? Subtle and underplayed?

Incidentally I do not apologize for how I spend my own money on myself. I am very generous with charities and find it spiteful to accuse anyone who spends money on themselves as being "repulsively selfish and extravagant". Tommy, I trust you have sold all your personal possessions, are now living on the streets, and have contributed your entire life savings to relief efforts. Unless you are, don't talk about what percentages of one's income or personal wealth they should be entitled to spend on themselves.

Patrick

And Frank I think you missed my entire point. Of course, those tickets may not be worth that much to you and no one here is saying that you should spend that or go. (Incidentally, how did we get from $300 - $500 to $1000 per ticket?) But why should people who don't appreciate theatre that much feel that others shouldn't spend their money how they wish? I certainly have no interest in telling you how much to spend on rent, or a new car, or a new suit, or anything else. Our individual priorities are our own business.

Lori

Let me add my two cents - how anyone chooses to spend their hard earned money is their business. And let me say that I saw The Producers last night and it was the funniest show I ever saw and worth every penny. As a NYer, it was certainly good to laugh again.

tommy

Susan, I saw the Producers in July, but paid $45 for mezzanine seats - thought it was great, very funny, and worth $45. But have always thought Lane is overrated. Also thought the second act was too long and busy. Patrick, I have always enjoyed your commentary on this board, and apologize if my comments appeared personally directed at you. They weren't. They were just an explanation of why I would find it impossible to pay that much for a show. You explained your reasoning, I explained mine. Just my Catholic guilt I guess.

Kevin

Frank:
Perhaps a little bit of perspective here. We're spending $800 a night for our hotel, easily $250 for dinner, flying first class to NYC. So why would $300 be out of line for the show?

Bragging is not my point. My point is that your opinion about what is appropriate value is not relevant, and it's very egocentric for you to try to tell others what is appropriate for them to spend. I only asked if $300 was better or worse than the local rate, which anne acknowledged.
Would you go into the home of a friend who might be an art collector and tell him how foolish it is to spend $100K on a painting when there are starving children in Afghanistan? Maybe you would, I don't know. But it wouldn't be your place to do so either way.

Anyway, thanks for the replies above.

lisa

Whew! I'm glad I saw The Producers in previews before ticket prices got to be so outrageous and Nathan Lane began to lose his voice!