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Attention Must Be Paid, But for $800?: A Financial Detective Story About Staging "Death of a Salesman" in 1949 and 2012
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Will the Middle Class Be Able to Afford the Theater Again?

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message 1: by Peter (new)

Peter Wayner (peterwayner) | 6 comments Why are Broadway tickets so expensive? Will the middle class ever be able to afford the theater again? I'll be holding an author chat for Attention Must Be Paid, But for $800?: A Financial Detective Story About Staging "Death of a Salesman" in 1949 and 2012 starting Monday for a week (8/12-16/13). Please join the group now to receive a reminder: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1...

We will talk about how the economy has changed, who won and who lost, who is making more than ever and who is being pushed aside, and how it's reflected in the disparity of costs between mounting "Death of a Salesman" in two different eras.

Even if you haven't read the book, please join in the conversation as I'd like to hear about your personal experience.


message 2: by Brenna (new)

Brenna Bortell | 4 comments Musical and Broadway tickets are way too expensive. I am a teen, and am obsessed with musicals, but my parents have limited me to seeing one show a year, because the tickets are too expensive. That's a really hard decision, when "Miss Saigon" is coming to Aurora Il at the same time "Phantom of the Opera" is coming to Chicago! I mean, if people are trying to encourage an interest in the performing arts, then why make it so darn hard to see the shows?


message 3: by Peter (new)

Peter Wayner (peterwayner) | 6 comments You're right that Broadway is expensive, but there are other alternatives. You can see local theater groups that are often quite good and darn cheap. I've been to free productions that were filled with actors that were almost as good as those on Broadway. And they were free and on stage because they loved their craft. There are also plenty of regional theaters that do a great job at a price that's much lower than Broadway. And, of course, there's always the DVD versions which aren't the same as being there, but they can be quite cheap.

Broadway has evolved to offer expensive productions with lavish sets and amazing casts because they know there's a market for special treats. Your parents have figured this out and that's why they're limiting you. It's smart to save up.


message 4: by Brenna (new)

Brenna Bortell | 4 comments Peter, I don't live in New York, so I don't see Broadway. I meant musicals live on stage. I'm an aspiring singer and actress, but I never want to do a show just for the money. I like being in plays because it's what I love and it's what I;m good at.

Surprisingly, those local theatre groups are very expensive. (And, where I live, there aren't many good ones, so I have to go up to Chicago, which is even more expensive.) I saw a small stage production of "Oliver!" in Oakbrook, Chicago, and that was very expensive. The DVD versions are okay usually, but some newer musicals don't even have DVD versions!

Like I said, the closest I've ever gotten to Broadway is Broadway in Chicago. My parents have never once taken me to see a real Broadway show in NY, yet we still spend a lot of money on musicals because even the small productions are so expensive where I live! Believe me, theatre is my passion. :)


message 5: by Peter (new)

Peter Wayner (peterwayner) | 6 comments Ah, theater in Chicago is as good as Broadway and often better. I meant even smaller venues like colleges or high schools. They're often quite good.


message 6: by Brenna (new)

Brenna Bortell | 4 comments Oh, I'm sure they are. :) But I live in a kinda small area, so....But I'd love to read the book you're talking about!


message 7: by Peter (new)

Peter Wayner (peterwayner) | 6 comments You don't need to go to the city. Just head to Amazon with your Kindle.


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