Ouch, nearly twenty percent of the Lied Center's 31 employees have gotten the ax as the Lied struggles with declining ticket sales. Furthermore, they want to chop artist's fees by 30% to 40%, which means lower-quality events or fewer events (or both).
I know The Missus and I haven't been to the Lied Center in ages. We used to go to a few shows each year. Now we average less than one per year. In our case, it's hard to say what led to the change, though having a kid obviously plays a big role. Cost is another biggie; a 2-hour trip to Gateway with Robbie costs under twenty bucks, and that includes exciting food court food, a carousel ride, unlimited escalator rides, and plenty of people-watching. That may not sound interesting to many (or most) of you, but I assure you that time spent with Robert is never dull.
Do you attend fewer events at the Lied than you used to? Why?
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I would say we go there less often. Cost is one factor - like you, kids is another. The other thing that I find, is some years we get the mailing outlining the whole season, and there’s just nothing I want to see. I love the noise and the percussion and some of the broadway-types of shows. Count me in for Stomp, or Riverdance (or any Irish dancing), or something along those lines. Some years, I find 4-5 things that jump out at me. This year? There were none. I think that has some impact. I would love to see a Blue Man Group come here rather than to Omaha, for example.
I go to fewer shows that I used to. A main factor in that is that my sister no longer works there and I don’t get comp tickets anymore. I’d still be willing to pay to go; however, there isn’t anything that interests me. A few years ago, I believe they had the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra (led by Wynton Marsalis) and a Russian symphony in the same season. Both of those shows were amazing. I don’t think they’ve had anything comparable in at least a couple years, and hearing that they’re going to bring in cheaper shows doesn’t instill confidence that we’ll ever have anything of that quality again.
All the more reason to support a several hundred million dollar, publicly-funded arena!!! 😉
The article didn’t mention the Holland Center in Omaha. Before it opened, the Lied Center was the sole venue in the state of its size/acoustic quality/overall “newness”/etc. I wouldn’t be surprised if it had a doubly chilling effect: people in Omaha don’t have to head out of town anymore AND many things that used to make a stop in Lincoln will go to Omaha instead.
Last show I went to at the Lied was Mama Mia a couple of years ago. Really enjoyed it. Would go to more. But I’m with many others, there just hasn’t been much of interest to me since. I know part of the purpose is to bring us exposure to a diverse mix of arts, but each season needs to have at least a couple of home runs to offset the lesser, but important, events.
I see the anti-arena crowd already is all over the Lied’s struggles, using them as leverage against a new arena. Pretty weak. Not comparable venues or for comparable uses. During the time since my last visit to the Lied, I’ve made several trips to the QWest Center to see concerts by groups that could never perform at the Lied, or at Pershing, for that matter.
I used to get 2 free tickets a year (or semester, I don’t remember) by virtue of being a fine art student. I miss those days.
The truth is, most shows are expensive and don’t fit into the budget. I’m not usually super thrilled with the selection, either- If Avenue Q or Wicked came to town, I’d be there in a second, but I doubt we’ll get anything like that anytime soon. I LOVED when Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo came.
I think they should either focus on less expensive but unique shows or go all out and get the big name stuff here.
I love going to the Lied but this year I didn’t go to a single show. The main reason for me is not kids (Don’t have any) Or cost (Would pay large amounts for a great show) This year the problem was all of the good shows were one or two nights in the middle of the week. I have to work early and can’t stay out at a show till 11p.m. Plus when I do go to a how I like to go out before and eat then go out for a drink afterwards, two things that are hard to do if it is during the week.
Karin Wicked is going to be playing in Omaha at the Orphium next season. Though you might like to know that.
Wooooo! Thanks. I never hear about this stuff. I saw it in Chicago and LOVED it.
Do you think those groups are going to stop at Lincoln and Omaha?
That’s the thing, I generally don’t mind going to Omaha for a good show. It’s not that important that things come to Lincoln, but I’m not going to go to a mediocre show just because it is in Lincoln.
The Lied really just needs to find it’s niche.
Some will. Some won’t. Some will be a better fit for a slightly smaller venue in Lincoln than for the Qwest.
Regardless, stating that a 15,000-seat arena can’t make it because a 1,500-seat Lied Center can’t make it is not logical. The two are not comparable.
You’re right, there are a bazillion other reasons a 15,000 seat arena in Lincoln would be a disaster.
I am excited to go see it. I have heard nothing but great things about it and I enjoyed the book.
My in laws are members and get tix for lots of stuff.
I have been to many musicals (not my fave kind of entertainment) there.
Also seen some amazing musical performers.
Garrison Kelior was Monday and I would of loved to go, but not for $45. I saw him last time he did his solo thing, but someone else paid.
Would be an awesome place for touring bands to rock. Since the Rococo cannot play past 11 and has to be very very quiet.
We haven’t gone to a show there for quite some time. Budget crunch and the Lied was low on the list of priorities. I look forward to going again when we have more expendable income.
Talk about dodging pink slips. I left Nelnet a couple of years ago and they just laid off a bunch. I applied for a job at the Lied Center a few years back—glad I didn’t take that job!
Where else have you applied and not taken jobs? We need to warn people…
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