That is the most famous rule in the theatre industry and that is exactly what happened last week. Theatregoers lined up for tickets Thursday as Broadway returned to business following the temporary resolution of the 19-day strike that cost producers and the city millions of dollars.
‘Broadway is exciting. It’s New York. It’s alive,’ said a young Brooklyn native as she waited on line around the TKTS discount-ticket booth in Times Square. It, too, reopened on Thursday.
Crowds lined up for tickets as actors and crews returned to the once-darkened theaters. Broadway thanked theatregoers for their endless support and patience by offering a limited number of discounted tickets last Thursday. Tickets sold at a remarkably low $26.50 in a special promotion as people lined up for the musical ‘Chicago.’
Both stagehands and theater producers reached a makeshift agreement Wednesday night that ended the strike. The deal came on the third day of the long-drawn-out sessions between the stagehands union, known as Local 1, and the League of American Theatres and Producers. Negotiations had been ongoing since late May.
Local 1 is expected to vote on the tentative agreement on Dec. 9. For close to three weeks over two dozen Broadway shows were shut down, including the popular ‘Wicked,’ ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid,’ and a holiday favorite, ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas.’
New York City lost roughly $2 million dollars for each day that the strike lasted, affecting not only the theatres, but also hotels, restaurants, and stores. With the theatre district deserted, Times Square shone a little less brightly.
However, let us forget the $40 million dollars NYC lost because of the strike. What about the devoted theatergoers who were turned away at the door? Some people purchased their tickets months in advance. Others bought them only a few days earlier. Both ways plans were made, hotel rooms reserved, and flights booked. People were not happy. The city expects to lose more revenue as refunds are given on unused tickets.
There is no business like show business. And the business is back! Broadway reopens just in time for the holiday season. Most shows are offering tickets at extremely low prices to certain performances; however, this generosity is not likely to last.
If you are interested in cheap tickets anytime, visit one of NYC’s TKTS booths. There is one located in Times Square on 46th Street that offers day-of-performance tickets only. The lines are usually very long, although not as bad in cold weather.
If you do not mind taking the subway, there is another, lesser-known TKTS booth in the South Street Seaport. Located at the corner of Front and John Streets, this booth sells day-of-performance tickets as well as matinee tickets as early as the day before. The lines are much shorter, if there is a line at all.
