"MIDDLE CLASS, DON'T SPEAK OF IT. SAVOIR FAIRE, WE REEK OF IT"

In planning a trip to New York, I thought I would surprise my partner with tickets to Hello Dolly. I knew Broadway prices had risen as high as $100, but I figured I'd be a sport. But when I checked on the Internet I was shocked to find the least expensive ticket was $160 and others were as high as $275. In short Broadway is now only for the wealthy. You have to be very rich or profligate to spend nearly $300 just to sit in a not-that-comfortable seat for two hours to watch a musical which may not even live up to your expectations. Not only do I find it obscene that Broadway, which I loved, has surrendered to commercialism and greed but I am surprised that Bette Midler, whom I have always admired, would subscribe to this obvious elitism. During my 75 years I have read many biographies from famous actors, singers and dancers. Many of them describe the magical moment when, as a child, they first saw a live performance and how it inspired them to seek their place in the American theater. I don't see that happening any more, at least not in New York City or at Broadway road shows, unless of course that child has very, very wealthy parents.