How often do you go to the movies? Some might say once a month. In comparison, others might say once a year. Now, how often do you go to watch a play or a musical? Not very often, right? If you’re lucky, maybe once a year since tickets can usually cost $200 for just one seat which is not financially accessible for many families. Similarly, movie tickets can be expensive depending on the type of theater you go to and whether you get snacks. So, with all this in mind, I was shocked by t sheer lack of interest in wanting to see a play on Broadway for only $10. Yep, you heard me, $10.
In October, Ms. Finkelstein announced that 10th graders could see the play Shucked on Broadway for just $10. Shucked isn’t just any other play. It’s a play that has won a Tony award and has 9 Tony award nominations. So, why did nobody want to go? Well, one reason could be that it was on a school night, and depending on how far away you live, most people would probably get home at 11 pm or so. Another reason could be that it wasn’t promoted as much because it was, at first, only for the 10th graders. But, could there be another reason? Could it be that there is a lack of interest in movies and plays? Since Covid, we’ve seen a decline in theater goings. There’s a sheer lack of interest and an issue of course with the cost.
When asked how often they’ve watched a show or a movie, many students said not often and if they watch a show, that’s all they watch, nothing new. If students do watch a new show or a movie it’s typically something with a lot of fame such as an action movie or maybe a show that’s become popular. A great example is the Barbie and Oppenhiemer movie. In the summer, the popular internet trend of Barbenheimer led to an increase in people going to the movies; people would dress up for Barbie and after they would see Oppenheimer. However, some of the students I asked said that they hadn’t gone to see either of these blockbuster movies. Of course, I understand that people don’t want to sit for three hours watching a film about a man who created a bomb (in simple terms), but people not wanting to see Barbie blew my mind.
And then there’s the lack of wanting to see a Broadway play. I understand people might not want to watch a musical because of the continuing annoyance of speaking in song, but is it possible people occasionally associate plays with Shakespeare or is it just that this generation doesn’t value going to the movies anymore? Is it that they are accustomed to watching things on streaming platforms in their home? I don’t really know. All I know is that a $10 ticket to a live Broadway show is worth it.
If you’re interested, look out for emails about the upcoming December trip to see Spamalot, the latest Broadway show with Ariana Grande’s new boyfriend. Maybe you’ll even get your playbill signed by him.
