My wife and I have always been theater fans. We both did theater work in college and beyond. In fact, it is because of theater that we got back together in 1989 and ultimately got married. I was working as a lighting designer and invited her to come be on my lighting crew.
Despite our love of theater, a love we have also passed on to our daughter, we don't often go to see live shows. The cost is a definite factor.
My daughter recently heard about a new show on Broadway called "Seminar" starring Alan Rickman (Professor Snape from Harry Potter). We decided we'd go up and see it. I ordered tickets today for next Saturday for the low, low price of $404.75 for 3 tickets. Of course, that doesn't include transportation to and from NYC, parking, meals, subway passes, etc. We are also planning to spend the night. Fortunately, we're using Marriott reward points for the hotel so no out of pocket cost but they still have monetary value. So by the time we're done, we'll probably spend at least $800 for an overnight stay and the show.
I'm happy to do it, and my daughter is thrilled, but it is a lot of money. Yes, we could see a touring company production of a show in Philadelphia which wouldn't be quite as pricey and wouldn't have the travel costs, but it isn't the same and if you want to see a new production, like this, NYC is your only choice. My wife and I did see "Rain" 2 weeks ago in Philly and it was great but still wasn't cheap. I think we paid over $90/person for that.
Any other Broadway/theater fans here?
Broadway = Big Bucks
February 18th, 2012 at 07:45 pm
February 18th, 2012 at 08:11 pm 1329595875
I am also a big theatre fan, and about a 2 hour drive from NYC. Cost is obviously the biggest factor of why I don't see many shows up there. I see a lot of local theatre and sometimes a tour show, so I get my fix that way. Every time a see a show, I always say to myself "why don't I do this more often" because I so thoroughly enjoy it! sigh.. Enjoy your trip and tell us all about it!
February 18th, 2012 at 08:31 pm 1329597065
Reminds me, we have a great program called Music Circus. I've never been but have heard so much about it. Affordable musicals. They do 5 or 6 musicals over the summer, here in Sacramento. Thing is my dh is so *not* into the theatre and I don't really know anyone who would be interested in going. Reminds me I should take my eldest this year or next - try one out and see how it goes. OF course - we have several theater options, but this one might fit my budget. When the kids are older I will delight to taking them to a big production in San Francisco. & Broadway would be great to hit one day too, but a wee bit extra expensive considering it would involve a flight across the states.
February 18th, 2012 at 09:06 pm 1329599211
February 18th, 2012 at 10:21 pm 1329603715
February 18th, 2012 at 11:48 pm 1329608899
When we/I lived in other large towns we saw many various former Broadway plays, some of them on tour, and others performed by various groups.
I enjoyed both the Broadway and the non-Broadway, but if I had a choice (and money was no object) I'd definitely go for the Broadway play before a non-NYC based play!!
February 19th, 2012 at 12:40 am 1329612054
February 19th, 2012 at 05:35 pm 1329672956
February 20th, 2012 at 02:15 pm 1329747354
QueenOphelia, I didn't check Playbill. I did check Theatermania but they weren't showing any discounts for the dates we wanted. As for TKTS, we've never done that. I just don't like having to stand in line for however long in hopes of getting tickets for the show we want to see. Maybe if we lived in the city we would do that but to drive 90 miles only to find out no tickets were available would be a waste.
February 21st, 2012 at 03:57 pm 1329839835
February 27th, 2012 at 01:00 am 1330304428
March 2nd, 2012 at 10:11 pm 1330726293
Jerry