In 2001, "The Producers" taught real-life producers that theater-goers were willing to pay $500 for a two-plus-hour musical. Since then, more shows have started using dynamic pricing to charge the most when they expect demand to be strongest.
Last year, "Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway" (a one-man show, which is as labor-efficient as you can get) made $1,468,189 for eight performances, a record for its theater. The limited-engagement star-studded show, which can push $600 a pop, is a perfect storm for high prices. Covering the celebrity's pay check and the cost of the space requires producers to charge high prices to cover the costs in a short period. The short run itself creates scarcity, concentrating audience interest in a small window where they're less price sensitive. ... Throw in the rise of tourism to New York is -- up 8% since 2008 -- and you're a long way toward understanding why Broadway ticket prices are going to keep going up as long as the rich keep getting rich[er].
-- Andrew Sullivan's Dish
Wow, and I thought the only thing keeping me from seeing a Broadway show was distance. Not that I have any real interest in seeing a Broadway show, even if it were only ten bucks. I just didn't know that it would take one's life savings to catch a show.
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Last year, "Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway" (a one-man show, which is as labor-efficient as you can get) made $1,468,189 for eight performances, a record for its theater. The limited-engagement star-studded show, which can push $600 a pop, is a perfect storm for high prices. Covering the celebrity's pay check and the cost of the space requires producers to charge high prices to cover the costs in a short period. The short run itself creates scarcity, concentrating audience interest in a small window where they're less price sensitive. ... Throw in the rise of tourism to New York is -- up 8% since 2008 -- and you're a long way toward understanding why Broadway ticket prices are going to keep going up as long as the rich keep getting rich[er].
-- Andrew Sullivan's Dish
Wow, and I thought the only thing keeping me from seeing a Broadway show was distance. Not that I have any real interest in seeing a Broadway show, even if it were only ten bucks. I just didn't know that it would take one's life savings to catch a show.
.