By Merle Exit
Picture yourself attending a performance at Lincoln Center’s Metropolitan Opera House.
You have shelled out $390 per ticket for the best orchestra seat. Dressed to the nines, you drive into Manhattan, deal with the traffic and add in the high parking cost.
Arrive to crowds of people going in different directions to the various venues, make your way to the Met and wait in line to be seated. The performance was fabulous but the price set you back a bit.
Now, fathom the idea that for $25 you can obtain just as good of a seat, dressed “to the threes,” get free parking and view the same live performance in a movie theater in Queens as it is streamed via satellite, thanks to a company called Fathom Events.
One-of–a-kind special events are beamed in breathtaking beyond high definition quality that feature digital surround sound on a 50-foot screen with an unobstructed view. They also include added special features, like behind-the-scenes footage and backstage interviews.
On Dec. 14 audience members will have the opportunity to experience the opera “Falstaff” as well as be able to go behind the scenes with Met opera stars including interviews with cast, crew and production teams who give an unprecedented look at what goes into the staging of a production.
The College Point Multiplex is the only Queens venue that presents Fathom Events.
“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” was broadcast from the London stage as part of the Royal Opera House series and then Dec. 11 a one-night performance of Noël Coward’s “Private Lives,” taped during its recent West End run at the Gielgud Theatre, will be experienced from several points of view. These include seeing the packed theater attendees, a close-up of the orchestra during the opening of the show, and both a close-up and perhaps a 10th-row angle to cover a full stage perspective. Because these shows are not streaming live, the charge is approximately $16.
In addition to events that do broadcast via satellite, Fathom Events gives you the opportunity of viewing an encore presentation on another date.
The events are not necessarily classical in nature as concerts such as Rush and Josh Groban have been broadcast. An upcoming comedy event Dec. 5, RiffTrax Live – “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians,” is being offered at a ticket price of $13.50.
Perhaps the sequel to “Phantom of the Opera,” titled “Love Never Dies,” will never be performed on Broadway. However, both the play and a backstage tour were broadcast at the movie theatre as it was performed in London.
Although tickets can be purchased at the movie theater, it is recommended that the purchasers go through the website of www.fathomevents.com as most of these events tend to sell out.
College Point Multiplex is located at 28-55 Ulmer St. just off the Whitestone Expressway.
