Vixmom - Good point, about justifying the price of the ticket. The producers on the panel, however, seemed to feel that - except in rare circumstances, such as a star-driven show or an award-winner - people aren't likely to cough up the $90-100 ticket price for typical plays anyway, since there are so many discounts sent out. But it seems people will pay top dollar (and premium prices) even to see small casts and minimal production values in the rare case where a nonmusical has become an "event," such as Billy Crystal's one-man show with one set and one person. And people seem to have no problem paying the high price (even premium prices) for certain musicals with smaller casts and production values, such as AVENUE Q and SPELLING BEE. They seemed to feel the issue was getting an experience you couldn't get elsewhere, rather than getting your money's worth in terms of how big the show onstage is.
