The Music Man at TKTS

[Chaugman7]

Posted: 1/8/22 at 4:15pm

I notice that there are quite a few seats showing for recent performances on Telelcharge including for both performances today.  TKTS doesn't seem to be offering tickets for these performances.  Any thoughts as to why?

[JBroadway]

Posted: 1/8/22 at 4:21pm

The producers of each individual show make the decision of whether or not to give tickets to TKTS. In this case, I'm guessing that the producers of The Music Man feel confident that they will be able to sell those tickets via walk-ups or other week-of sales. And they may very well be right.

On this flip side, it's also possible that the producers want to avoid the "stigma" of being on TKTS. Being on TKTS indicates that a show is not in high demand, and for a production like Music Man, they don't want to lose their "hot ticket" status in eyes of the public, because that might deter people from paying top dollar in the future. 

[Chaugman7]

Posted: 1/8/22 at 4:29pm

I appreciate your prompt response.  That all makes sense.  Concerning though because these performances were close to being sold out before the production shut down. and many seats are now showing as available.  Over 300 for today's matinee and when checking Telecharge just before curtain, those seats were still not sold.  I'm also seeing a price reduction for the most expensive seats now.  Thank you again for responding.  CB in Boston  

[JayElle]

Posted: 1/9/22 at 11:20pm

Chaugman7 said: "I appreciate your prompt response. That all makes sense. Concerning though because these performances were close to being sold out before the production shut down. and many seats are now showing as available. Over 300 for today's matinee and when checking Telecharge just before curtain, those seats were still not sold. I'm also seeing a price reduction for the most expensive seats now. Thank you again for responding. CB in Boston"

I was at the Jan 8 matinee (left orch, seat D1).  A considerable number of seats were available in left orchestra, rows D-K, including on the aisle.  Such was case in center and right orchestra. At intermission, alot of folks in less than desirable seats moved into the premium ones. I bought my tkts in 2019 at half the current price. The Telecharge computer system kept reassigning my performance date for every stalled start date. It finally reassigned me 6 months before the show's Dec 20 reopen date and before prices escalated.

A long-time Telecharge employee told me Schubert company (owns Telecharge) "got into it" (as she called it) with producers when they jacked prices to $500+ level ala Springsteen and Hamilton. When MM shows were canceled or patron had to cancel, they found the tkt they bought at a lower rate was no longer available.  Some exchanges were pushed into summer or not replaceable with ticked off patrons. That made it hard for Telecharge to get replacement seating.

The show is fine, but not worth mega prices. Springsteen pulled it off because of who he is, smaller market, and limited run. Though towards the end, he had empty seats too. If pride goes before the fall, so too does greed.

The current covid plague, plane cancels, omicron, restrictions, etc doesn't justify the milking. Ergo, many empty orch seats.  Mezz and balcony looked full but I couldn't fully see entire area. Some boxes were half empty.

 

[yyys]

Posted: 1/9/22 at 11:31pm

 

The seats are most likely just returns from omicron. They are prob thinking people will still buy them at cost before doors open.

Chaugman7 said: "I appreciate your prompt response. That all makes sense. Concerning though because these performances were close to being sold out before the production shut down. and many seats are now showing as available. Over 300 for today's matinee and when checking Telecharge just before curtain, those seats were still not sold. I'm also seeing a price reduction for the most expensive seats now. Thank you again for responding. CB in Boston"

 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 5:53am

After 9/11, Disney refused to sell Aida* tickets at TKTS even though the Palace was 1/3 or more empty. It created considerable backlash against Disney greed when - like now - Broadway was trying to return in a frightening climate. I think of it when I see Aladdin on the board. *a waning hit, not new

 

 

Updated On: 1/10/22 at 05:53 AM

[JasonC3]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 8:29am

FWIW, some hotels also leave rooms unsold rather than use deeply discounted prices.  Price anchoring is a longstanding pricing/marketing practice that focuses on anchoring a (typically higher) price point/value proposition in the minds of the consumer.  It is part of the reason Apple recently became a $3 trillion dollar company.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 9:47am

And just to add a point to this last, TKTS is one of the most visible (and effective) ways of telegraphing the existence of discounts to the non-theatre savvy consumer. Most of those individuals would never trespass on any of the websites that advertise discounts but they certainly walk across Duffy Square and see the shows and their discounts available at TKTS. 

[Wick3]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 10:04am

Remember that most if not all Broadway tickets are refundable nowadays up to 48 hours before curtain. This wasn't the case before pandemic. 

I think the returns are mostly due to:

1) patrons not wanting to see any Broadway show right now due to omicron.

2) scalpers who noticed they weren't able to sell premium seats at $500+ the past week and opting to return them to the box office for a full refund rather than lose money.

3) savvy people realizing they overpaid for this show  at $599-$699 and want to get a full refund; then pay for the same seat (or close to it) for a much reasonable price.

I think Music Man producers would much rather practice dynamic pricing on their own (i.e. reducing those $699 seats to $279 level) rather than resorting to TKTS or TDF or discount codes etc.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 10:44am

To all points and my surprise: Moulin Rouge was on the TKTS board this weekend. Such is the nature of winter in NYC during a still hard-to-characterize pandemic. 

[Tuna2]

Posted: 1/12/22 at 8:52am

Auggie27 said: "To all points and my surprise: Moulin Rouge was on the TKTS board this weekend. Such is the nature of winter in NYC during a still hard-to-characterize pandemic."

Wow!  That's pretty amazing!