Discounts Starring at Theaters

In Los Angeles, discount prices are bringing patrons back to some recession-starved theaters, while houses such as the Shubert Theatre in Century City hang on to the idea that if a show is enough of a blockbuster, Angelenos will pay full price to see it.

The Theatre League Alliance, an organization that serves the city’s nonprofit theaters, initiated a “sampler” program in January. The plan lets theater-goers attend six plays by six different theater companies, including the Long Beach Civic Light Opera and the Mark Taper Forum, for $66.

“We were conscious of the fact that there were a lot of empty seats in theaters, and we needed an audience development tool,” said Karen Rushfield, the Alliance’s executive director.

The Mark Taper Forum offers other low-priced ticket programs as well, according to general manager Karen S. Wood. There are “pay what you can” nights for every play, and $10 “rush” tickets are available 10 minutes before a play begins.