The Oct issue of LVA had a sidebar comparing plays on Broadway vs LV.
In a nutshell, the writer's conclusion is that LV is better & bases it
primarily on the "superiority of the showrooms and theaters in Las Vegas". He goes
on to say that in Las Vegas, "the seats are roomy, many have drink holders,
some recline, and all are cozy.... If you're paying triple digits to see a
show, you should expect to be comfortable."
His statements above are accurate but miss the point.
I would hope that customers measure their theater experience by the quality
of the performance rather than by the quality of the accoutrements and
triple-digit ticket prices.
When it's a good performance, you get into the play and forget about the
surroundings.
If a play comes to your neck of the woods and it's also playing in LV,
should you wait till you get to LV? Here's a few reasons why you might want to see
it at home:
-- If you're comped, you'll normally get good seats in LV which are reserved
for gamblers. Sight lines and position are usually good to very good.
However, if you've gone to plays elsewhere where everyone pays, you'll notice a
difference in enthusiasm. To many comped gamblers this is just another freebie
and many would rather be gambling and their boredom shows. I noticed this in
Mamma Mia and many of the concerts that I've gone to. Some of the energy is
gone.
-- LV performers do a good job of keeping their energy level up because it
is LV and the crowds and venues are normally bigger and better. OTOH, some of
the worst shows I've been to have also been in LV. So when you're paying or
getting comped triple-digit prices, you ought to get consistently good shows.
Have to say that my luck has been better elsewhere.
-- Triple-digit prices. That says it all. Only in LV are customers used to
triple digit ticket prices. In most other venues, you can still see a good
performance for half the LV price. The LVA sidebar cites the "brand new
showrooms that cost upwards of $100 million to build." Well guess who's paying for it
and how much they have to charge.
-- "The constant sellouts in the big showrooms deliver 3,000 - 5,000
showgoers ..." This is why you can't find many bargains in LV. Yes there are
half-price shops in LV & occasionally you can find Mamma Mia but compared to NY and
other cities, the bargains are far fewer. In NY, the big mover of half-price
tickets was TKTS and I had a couple of trips where we saw at least one play
every day courtesy of TKTS. LV is bringing in more productions but it's still
light on selection. In a few days, you've run the gamut of theater offerings.
You won't have a problem finding things to see in NY.
-- The theater offerings in LV generally are very good performances but
you'll notice that the stars of theater still stay in NY and sometimes you'll
find them in the traveling shows. LV has a tendency to tout itself as having the
best. Like its buildings this claim is also faux.
[N.B. I've seen Mamma Mia and Forever Plaid both in LV and elsewhere. Mamma
Mia in LV compared to Toronto & San Jose, the LV production is the best and
worth the old premium when it first came out but I wouldn't pay the
triple-digits for the good seats now. Forever Plaid was a favorite of mine when it was
at the Flamingo, haven't seen it yet at the Gold Coast but would say the
Boston & Toronto versions were just as good and a bargain to boot. However, the
GC price of $30 is probably a bargain for LV & they will be having a special
Xmas version coming soon.]
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