Live Theatre / Musicals

[kristenabelle]

I know sooo many people who want to see it, but they're balking on price. But I have to imagine the margins on tickets & expenses are razor thin here.

 

[Clive]

I know sooo many people who want to see it, but they're balking on price. But I have to imagine the margins on tickets & expenses are razor thin here.

My understanding is that they're barely breaking even when they sell out at full price. Any real profit stems from the (limited) merchandise options and the overpriced (though quite good) drinks in the after-show bar.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

My understanding is that they're barely breaking even when they sell out at full price. Any real profit stems from the (limited) merchandise options and the overpriced (though quite good) drinks in the after-show bar.

Open a phantom bar during daytime, you'd make bank from tourists.

 

[kristenabelle]

My understanding is that they're barely breaking even when they sell out at full price. Any real profit stems from the (limited) merchandise options and the overpriced (though quite good) drinks in the after-show bar.

I was surprised at the lack of merch options, though I guess it's on par with some recent shows I've seen? I don't have plans to go again but if they make the call I'll have to try for a ticket. I still regret waiting on Life & Trust.

 

[PenguinCowboy]

I was surprised at the lack of merch options, though I guess it's on par with some recent shows I've seen? I don't have plans to go again but if they make the call I'll have to try for a ticket. I still regret waiting on Life & Trust.

I remember during previews we asked if they expected to get much more, and the merch manager flat out told us they weren't expecting to expand things beyond one or two items (like, a classy enamel pin would have been an instant sell to me, but whatever). Feels odd for an ALW joint not to go hard with the merch, but I suppose they're really trying for the whole premium feel

 

[Clive]

I remember during previews we asked if they expected to get much more, and the merch manager flat out told us they weren't expecting to expand things beyond one or two items (like, a classy enamel pin would have been an instant sell to me, but whatever). Feels odd for an ALW joint not to go hard with the merch, but I suppose they're really trying for the whole premium feel

Those things aren't mutually exclusive, though! The McKittrick Hotel had a fantastic, evolving lineup of merchandise over the years that very much felt premium in quality and consistent with the dark but elegant energy of the show.

 

[kristenabelle]

I have a massive stack of premium showbooks/paid programs from older productions - it makes me so sad that shows don't do this anymore. Loved seeing glossy behind-the-scenes photos and snippets from the creative team. I get that tees are cheaper to produce, but I really really don't need any more shirts.

 

[PenguinCowboy]

Those things aren't mutually exclusive, though! The McKittrick Hotel had a fantastic, evolving lineup of merchandise over the years that very much felt premium in quality and consistent with the dark but elegant energy of the show.

Oh, believe me, being on the haunt side of things I love seeing how creative folks can get with the darker, more brooding side of merch (especially the stuff that can become everyday use or every day wear items!). I guess I was just trying to somehow put myself behind their shortsightedness, and the best I could come up with is a terminal case of misappropriated "artistic integrititis"