How to justify similar ticket prices?

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:15pm

A friend of mine had her first Broadway experience recently (Rent and The Lion King). She didn't know of discounts or any way to get cheaper tickets (as many audience members, I'm sure). She paid full price for both shows, orchestra at over $100. She liked them both very much, but she couldn't understand why Rent costs the same as the Disney show.

She wasn't talking about the quality, of course. But I think her point is valid, shouldn't the shows with more expensive production costs charge more than the ones that are obviously cheaper to produce? Has Broadway always been this way, where all musicals seem to have a very similar (if not the same) ticket price?

Updated On: 3/8/08 at 07:15 PM

[musicalmaster703]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:17pm

they always had similar prices.

[East Village]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:26pm

Its still a fool's market if producers think they're going to recoup.
Updated On: 3/8/08 at 07:26 PM

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:26pm

Updated On: 5/7/09 at 07:26 PM

[george95]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:37pm

While most musicals on Broadway do charge the same (111.50 or so), the two musicals you mentioned are exceptions. Lion King now charges 121.50 on the weekends, and RENT is 110.00, but until recently the top seats were 95-100.00.

[BrianS]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:52pm

There is nothing to justify. Every producer will charge the highest possible price that they think customers will pay. Broadway is a business. And while there are a lot of shows with the same top ticket price, the more important number to gauge the market value of a show is the average ticket price that also gets reported every week. The average ticket prices of Jersey Boys ($113) and Sunday in the Park with George($55) with both at 95% attendance last week shows what audience members are willing to pay.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 8:07pm

Still, I understand if someone paid the same amount for a show with amazing production and technnical elements to one with almost none. I understand why (because they can), but I also understand it must be strange for an outsider.

[dfwactor]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 5:02pm

Weekly production costs are only part of a ticket price. Do you think Rent gets a discount on advertisement because its a smaller show? No, the ads cost the same. The general management costs the same. Theatre rent is also part of the costs. Also, royalties - not only to the authors but to the creative team. And even if tickets are priced similarly, Rent is likely to have a number of discounts in the market place and less expensive premium seats. So the average price is a lot cheaper.

Finally, it is perceived value like BrianS says. Charge as much as you can get.

[stagescreen]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 5:35pm

Market Economy...

[lildogs]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 5:49pm

You also have to keep in mind that theatre rental, crew minimums and publicity costs are not based on the shows's content.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 3/10/08 at 5:56pm

How come you didn't guide your friend to discounts, just curious haha.