Posted on 06/30/2006 9:29:41 AM PDT by edzo4
Just call her money girl - Streisand tix demand off as price skyrockets By Scott Van Voorhis Boston Herald Business Reporter
Friday, June 30, 2006 - Updated: 07:35 AM EST
The days of being the music world’s top-priced ticket may just be memories now for Barbra Streisand.
The 64-year-old crooner with a taste for trendy, lefty causes earlier this month rolled out grand plans for a 20-concert tour, her first in 10 years.
But after taking a look at her ticket prices - including $5,000 deluxe packages - even Babs’ die-hard limousine liberal fans may be having second thoughts.
And in the biggest shocker of all, Babs is even bombing in Boston, the heartland of blue state America.
While Boston was slated for two shots of Streisand, for now, anyway, we will have to settle for one on Oct. 22.
It’s the same story across the country, where Streisand had hoped for lucrative double shows in a select list of major markets.
Instead, Streisand’s grand - and possibly final - tour is down to 14 shows, with doubles only in New York and south Florida.
What’s to blame?
The culprit, industry insiders say, may be the evil that liberals like Streisand just love to blast: greed.
Streisand’s ticket prices average $300 and quickly escalate to $750. That’s even before you get to the ticket packages.
Those start at $1,000, and top out at an oh-so-economical $5,000.
For that sum fit for a princess, you get a room at a five-star hotel, transportation to and from the arena, a pre-dinner reception and a souvenir to remember the night by.
It’s prices like these that have made Streisand the most expensive act ever to hit the road.
Even Madonna, the most ruthless of the ruthless in the corporate music world, tops out with ticket prices of $350.
But Streisand and her promoters could teach Madonna a few things or two when it comes to business tactics worthy of a corporate raider.
In talks with venues, Streisand’s promoters demanded a $6 million guarantee per show, one executive noted.
But it’s not just the money that can be a headache for arena managers.
Streisand is also known for demanding things like wall-to-wall carpeting and chandeliers.
But if Streisand’s early ticket sales are any indication, some fans may be tired of being milked.
The promoters of her tour have held out the possibility that second shows will be added in cities like Boston.
However, it’s now three weeks and counting since tickets went on sale, an eternity in the hyper-paced concert business.
You only need a day or two to figure out whether you have that kind of demand, one industry executive noted.
It’s not that Streisand hasn’t tried to tug at the heart-strings - as well as the purse strings - of her legion of fans.
She pledged to funnel millions from her tour to - what else, the Streisand Foundation - to “combat dangerous climate change” and other causes.
“The public speaks and at some point these ticket prices get stupid,” noted Paul Munick, senior vice president for sports and entertainment at Mohegan Sun, which considered booking Streisand.
Would that twist Barbra fans' panties up or what?
5 grand for a ticket to listen to this screechin bitch. How crazy can you get? I could buy a new dirt bike to enjoy for years to come.
5,000 dollars is a lot of money. She should reduce them to five dollars or something reasonable. She does not even need money. Why are all these rich folks trying to screw the little guy? Although, I guess it is not working...
$300-500 a ticket to see Jimmy Buffett'
A worthwhile amount and quite reasonable. I mean I could not do that everyday, but once in awhile it is doable. 5,000 dollars??? Not so much. I mean Babs might be a legend but not to many generations left. I don't see my family going to see her. Gen X never really got her anyway. However Jimmy is just a fun guy and would put on a fun concert with before and after parties.
" I wouldn't go to see that whench if they paid me $5,000."
You could snooze through the concert with your Ipod earbuds on.
Then, take the $5,000 and buy a small ad in The New York Times in which you could openly question Keller's integrity.
Interesting. I might have a different view than most FREEPERS because I don't necessarily mind if someone is liberal as long as they keep their BIG MOUTH SHUT. I haven't heard Jimmy saying anything so to me his politics are a non issue. In fact, if you hadn't said anything, I would not have know what he thought about politics one way or another. I like it when stars don't give their views.
I can see the Babs' show now.
She steps out on stage to a "roar" of a single patron occupying the front row. It's George Soros sporting his mayo-stained jacket. One other in attendance: Michael Moore in the cheap seats.
katrina evacuees could buy tickets with their fema debit cards...
Instead, Streisand’s grand - and possibly final - tour is down to 14 shows, with doubles only in New York and south Florida.
Isn't this like the 15th "final" concert tour?
her farewell tour is becoming an annual event
Good point! I did forget about them.
They're so sweet-looking. Plus anything which slows down a liberal in Florida is beneficial to us all. :)
Babs:Hello there little boy, do you know who I am?
Kyle:No.
Babs:Uh, I bet you do.[Singing]I'm going where there's lucky clovers in the s....
Kyle:Ahh! Stop that!
Stan:Yuck, that sucks dude!
Babs:I'm Barbara Streisand!
Kyle:So.
Babs:So, hmm, huh, well, so I'm a very famous and very important individual.
Stan:Like John Elway important?
Babs:What?!?
Stan:Do you know John Elway?
Babs:No.
Stan:Oh, so you're really famous and important, but you don't know John Elway?
We usually go to Irvine, Ca. or Vegas. I prefer Irvine because of the parking lot party.
Yes, it is worth every dime! We have a great time.
However Jimmy is just a fun guy and would put on a fun concert with before and after parties.
We have a blast!
Yeah well our ticket stubbs still say stuff like $75.00 on them. The brokers are making a killing off him.
If people would just hang their clothes on a line outside they'd save enough on electricity to pay for a ticket after a few years.
If she would just shut her pie hole the amount of noxious gases and hot air emissions would plunge dramatically.
ping
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