Book of mormon raises prices AGAIN

[tking001]

Posted: 6/12/11 at 10:10pm

Detailed Pricing Information
Orchestra: $155.00
Orchestra Partial View*: $145.00
Mezzanine Rows A-G: $155.00
Mezzanine Rows H-L: $69.00

For performances November 25 - 27; December 26 - 31:
Orchestra: $175.00
Orchestra Partial View*: $165.00
Mezzanine Rows A-G: $175.00
Mezzanine Rows H-L: $69.00

Select Premium and Aisle Locations:
Premium Seating: $302.00
Aisle Seating: $182.00 (May only be purchased in pairs.)

Friday - Sunday:
Premium Seating: $352.00
Aisle Seating: $182.00 (May only be purchased in pairs.)

For performances November 25 - 27; December 26 - 31:
Premium Seating: $377.00
Aisle Seating: $199.00 (May only be purchased in pairs.)

All prices include a $2.00 facility fee.

This is INSANE

[ChenoKahn]

Posted: 6/12/11 at 10:13pm

How dare they try and make as much money as possible. Seriously guys it's a business.

[tking001]

Posted: 6/12/11 at 10:17pm

Would they move to a bigger house since its selling so well?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/12/11 at 11:17pm

Most shows that go on to win the Tony increase their prices. and considering that Mormon is sold out for most of the summer gives it more reason to up their prices. There's always SRO & lotto.

[pinoyidol2006]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 12:45am

Because they can. I'm an economics major, so I don't see anything wrong with that. At the same time, I have studied that people usually think it's unfair when firms raise prices in times of high demand.

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 1:15am

Obviously, it's their prerogative and people are willing to pay it, but $145 for PARTIAL VIEW seats?

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 1:39am

They're not going to switch houses, so stop bringing that up in every single one of these threads. It's very expensive, and they would have to shut down the show for weeks to re-stage it in another theatre- which would be stupid the way it's selling now. Give it up. No one ever whines that Jersey Boys and Billy Elliot should move to bigger theatres, so why Book of Mormon?

Updated On: 6/13/11 at 01:39 AM

[anyanyanyany]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 1:45am

i have great respect for producers because the vast majority of shows don't turn a profit and producers obviously know this. They're willing to lose their money to support the theater community (and the unions obviously don't make it any easier for them).

The prices are clearly insane. But if people will pay it, then they'll pay it and you can't fault the show. The show having a lottery and standing room demonstrates that it is doing something for those that can't afford the expensive prices, so really no complaint at all from me.

Switching theaters would be a very bad move. Why mess with such a good thing? The lack of supply will only help them. Makes their ticket more exclusive.

But I agree that those prices are insane!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 5:52am

While I'm not suprised they raised prices, I am a little disappointed. I would like to think there are folks out there (not just b'way) that would just be happy with the money they are making -- instead of needing to continually make even more.

But people will pay it -- I'm glad I "only" had to pay full price at the old prices! (Not so sure I'd have spent it for the new price, I would have waited till prices dropped again.)

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 6:52am

It did not take them long. I wonder when the next one will be.

[trentsketch]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 9:06am

I'm confused. Does this make The Book of Mormon a bad show like Young Frankenstein because the tickets are too expensive? Cause I know ticket price colored a lot of critics' opinions on the latter.

If people are willing to pay that much money to support a great new show, let them. Mormon earned its ticket prices by actually being a great and unique night of theater. And honestly, as someone who sat in the partial view seats during previews, I can say you're not missing much. God forbid you don't see the statue turning on top of the proscenium arch twice during the show. It just ruins the production.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 9:31am

^ I think the difference here between that of Young Frankenstein is that Book of Mormon is raising prices because of all the hype and their Tony wins. Young Frankenstein started off that way, and it was not a hit at all. Doubtful that Book of Mormon would do that if they were not doing great business.

[PitPro2004]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 10:24am

I love how every year the Broadway community pats itself on the back and says, we broke records and made even more money. Who is making that money? The actors? The musicians? The crew? Nope. The producers. Of course it's beating a dead horse to keep reiterating this but why say anything at all at this point? Why is that impressive? Honestly, it's not if it's all going to one faction and is the result of raising ticket prices. Should I be happy every year when Exxon says it made record money at my expense? Why is that something to celebrate? I'm starting to think oil barons are running Broadway.

Sorry for the soapbox rant. I'm very happy for BOM for it's wins but this isn't how you celebrate by raising prices. Raising prices is a very aristocratic move to me in our current economic climate because the show is now guaranteed for a while and really doesn't need to.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 10:27am

Yes, but if you think about it $155 is much less than many major sporting events. Why shouldn't a hit show enjoy the same spoils.

Prices like those definitely hurt us regular theatre goers, but its the nature of the beast. Im not happy about it, but I understand.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 10:31am

^Actually, union minimums have gone up continuously over the past decade, so the actors, musicians and crew are making more money. And do you think Nikki M. James isn't renegotiating her contract as we speak?

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 10:33am

They still aren't as expensive as The Producers tickets were...

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 10:34am

All you have to do is not buy a ticket. It's as simple as that.

If people will pay it, they'll keep raising it.

[PitPro2004]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 10:36am

Actually, I went to a NASCAR race a month ago and my ticket was $70 dollars full price and the event lasted over 4 hours. The money invested was spread out to all parties involved, and not just one pocket.

I understand it too, but I'm just not sure that this is such a terrific fact to share with audience viewers. Just like the nightly news touts how big oil made record breaking numbers, the money made from this is not going into the pockets of those who pedal it, such as your local gas station owners, those guys are barely making a profit. It's going into the pockets of the giants. That's fine, but it really shouldn't be used as a selling point to get people to come, that's all I'm thinking. I don't think the audience is intelligent enough to realize that the people breaking their b*lls onstage to give you a good show are not making a dime off of increased prices. :)

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 10:37am

So go to Nascar.

I'd rather see a musical.

[PitPro2004]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 10:40am

I'd rather see a musical too PJ, but I think I am going to have to set my sights on off Broadway. :)

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 10:41am

Are you REALLY comparing Nascar to Broadway?!

Apples and oranges...

[Kad]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 10:43am

Or you can just buy mezzanine seats.

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 10:43am

If it's Spider-Man, I think that's a fair comparison. People go to watch things blow up and flip over. But otherwise, no.

[PitPro2004]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 10:46am

LOL!! No, just comparing one event to another.

I just have to chuckle when someone steps up on stage at the Tony's and says we broke records. It's just such ****e. Like Charlie Sheen going around saying "WINNING". But really, only the producers are winning, not the community as a whole.

And yes, the union minimums are going up slowly but surely, but at what cost? Just as surely as the pit sizes are going down. Priscilla looked like such a fun show last night and yet the string section is pre-recorded. (sigh) So much for the live element.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 6/13/11 at 11:15am

The Exxon comparisons are completely absurd. Theatre producers make money on only the handful of shows that break even, and then the vast majority turn around and use that money to invest in another show. The producers "winning" perpetuates the community. If shows didn't make back their investments, people would just stop bothering. Be happy that people will pay $175 for orchestra tickets- it's a sign that Broadway is still alive and well.