NEW YORK -- Broadway packages make it easy to send clients to New
York's best shows, and booking Broadway shows can be highly
lucrative for travel agents who use the services of ticket brokers
specializing in hotel/theater packages.
The following companies offer a range of options to assist
agents. Unless otherwise specified, all package rates are based on
double occupancy.
• Applause has two theater packages, both commissionable at 10% and
including accommodations, show tickets and airport transfers.
Rates for a two-night Best of Broadway package range from $391
for the Novotel to $468 for a suite at the Gorham Hotel.
Add a third night and a choice of three entertainment options
for the Theatre Lovers Delight package, at rates ranging from about
$661 for a standard room at Novotel to $775 for a suite at the
Gorham.
Clients can even dine free with every ticket purchase for
selected performances at top shows.
Call (800) 451-9930 or visit www.applause-tickets.com.
• Broadway.com is offering agents 10% on its Cirque du
Soleil Varekai and Disney on Broadway packages.
The Varekai package starts at $317 for one night and includes
show tickets, a merchandise voucher and round-trip ferry service to
the performance on Randall's Island.
Disney on Broadway includes two nights' accommodations and top
seats to "Aida," "Beauty and the Beast" or "The Lion King."
Rates are from $830 for a family of four with two children under
age 17.
Call (800) 334-8457 or visit www.broadway.com.
• City Escapes' Broadway Nights offers two nights'
accommodations, orchestra or front mezzanine seating at one
Broadway show, two sightseeing options and shopping discounts,
ranging from about $291 (Wellington Hotel) to $438 (Crowne Plaza).
Agents earn 10%. Call (888) 692-8701 or visit www.nycvp.com.
• Keith Prowse offers a three-night New York Special Weekend
package with accommodations at the Roger Smith or Millennium
Broadway hotels.
Included are a Gray Line hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour good
for two days and one night and top-price tickets to a Broadway
show.
Rates are from $350 to $475 per person for all three nights,
commissionable at 9%.
Said Tracy Schiller, managing director for the U.S., "Judging
from the number of new shows opening this spring, we're seeing a
real resurgence of interest in Broadway theater following the
2001-2002 slump."
Call (800) 669-8687 or e-mail [email protected].
Meanwhile, four musicals are scheduled to open this spring:
"Urban Cowboy," based on the 1980 movie that starred John Travolta
(Broadhurst Theatre); "The Look of Love," celebrating the songs of
Burt Bacharach (Brooks Atkinson); and revivals of "Nine" --
featuring Antonio Banderas and Chita Rivera (Eugene O'Neill); and
"Gypsy," wherein Bernadette Peters will re-create Ethel Merman's
1959 role (Schubert).
Producers also are depending on star power to sell new plays and
revivals -- Molly Ringwald and Elizabeth Ashley lead "Enchanted
April," about a vacation that changes the lives of four unhappy
women (Ethel Barrymore); Brian Dennehy and Vanessa Redgrave head
the cast in a production of Eugene O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey
into Night" (theater to be announced); Hilary Swank appears as
Annie Sullivan in "The Miracle Worker" revival (Music Box); and a
different mystery celebrity guest joins each performance of "The
Play What I Wrote," a London import (Lyceum).
Some Broadway theaters inaugurated a 7 p.m. curtain for Tuesday
evening performances, so agents should check ahead.
Except where noted in the above listings, tickets can be ordered
through Telecharge, (212) 239-6200.