Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander is officially replacing Larry David this week on Broadway as the star of the critically-acclaimed Fish in the Dark. The play has experienced immense success so far on the Great White Way, and ticket sales have broken box office records at the Cort Theatre twice now. Fish in the Dark had the highest advance play sales in Broadway’s history, but it looks like fans are not as keen on Jason Alexander as they were on Larry David.
According to Ticket Network, the average price for Fish in the Dark tickets was $215 during Larry David’s run, but so far the theater goers are spending an average of just $150 to see Jason Alexander in the same role. If Alexander is able to garner the same acclaim as Larry David did, ticket prices will likely increase. The first seven days of David’s run average a $183 price, so Alexander has room to increase the average price. This is good news for theater-goers who have not yet made it out to see the play that everyone is talking about, as cheap Fish in the Dark tickets can still be had, especially for the week-night performances. The average ticket price for Fish in the Dark during the month of June is $150 on the secondary market, compared to an average price of $215 during David’s reign.
Fish in the Dark explores both the tragic and comedic effects of losing a loved one, following fifteen family members who all cope with their father’s death in diverse ways. The main character, Norman Drexel, is said to be a thinly veiled Larry David — wry and socially awkward, but nonetheless relatable — and the rest of the talented cast complements this central character with the characteristic humor of Larry David’s writing.
Fish in the Dark officially opened on Broadway in March 2015 and has been getting rave reviews ever since, no doubt having an impact on sales of theater tickets for the play. The play was inspired by David’s friend Lloyd Braun when discussing the unique moments that followed his father’s death, from the profound – who would take care of their mother — to the mundane — which sibling would get his Rolex. David thought this would be great material for a play, and he was right.
Though Larry David is no longer the main attraction, fans can still get a taste of that signature Seinfeld laughter with upcoming shows featuring Jason Alexander, best known as George Costanza, a character loosely based on David himself. Alexander also made appearances as himself on David’s Curb Your Enthusiasm on HBO. Don’t wait to buy tickets because Fish in the Dark is a limited engagement is playing only through July 19.
