Robert Sillerman

Cofounder, Live Nation Entertainment

Search every verified Robert Sillerman interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a 2008 appearance on Theater Talk, Robert F.X. Sillerman discussed his role as executive producer of the Broadway musical Young Frankenstein and the controversy surrounding its premium ticket pricing. He acknowledged that setting a $450 ticket price was a mistake, stating that the aggressive pricing distracted from the artistic work of Mel Brooks, Susan Stroman, and others involved in the production. Sillerman noted that while some critics focused on the ticket price, others, such as Clive Barnes, praised the show, and he expressed regret that the pricing became a larger story than the production itself. Sillerman also advocated for more flexible ticket pricing on Broadway, comparing it to airline pricing, where fares vary based on demand and timing. He argued that Broadway's pricing model is archaic and suggested that dynamic pricing could be implemented, though he noted he was not leading that effort due to his primary work in the live entertainment business. He also discussed the challenges of producing on Broadway, including the difficulty of securing theater owners willing to lower rents or forgo high gross percentages to support new talent development.