I also asked Johnny about his experience attempting to get tickets to the Othello production. He told me, “The timeline here is important.”
“I received my invite, as usual, on March 4. And then, on March 9, I wrote a column criticizing its $921 ticket prices — as far back as Row M and in the mezzanine! — as well as several other shows’ sky-high charges.
That piece got a lot of traction because regular audiences have been feeling burnt by Broadway for quite a while.
I eventually RSVPd on March 12, nine days before opening.
At first, a publicist replied, ‘Confirmation to come.’ Four hours later, a more senior flack reversed course: ‘Johnny – Unfortunately, we do not have ticket availability for Othello,’ they said.
It was my first time in 10 years at The Post (and 14 as a theater writer) of being invited to a show, and then told — my words — ‘Just kidding!'”
(BuzzFeed reached out to Othello production for comment but has yet to receive a response.)