Honestly, who pays for these things ?

This morning as I cooked Mike's breakfast I had the local news on the TV when a advertisement for an upcoming Cirque Du Soleil show came on. I understand that this show is to take place at a venue about ten minutes from my home, which got me thinking that i have always thought that going to one of these shows would be neat. I decided to get more information. After all tickets just might make a good Valentines day or Birthday gift for me if I leave Mike the hint :-) However, upon looking at prices I was faced with decent seats costing ninety dollars a person, yes I said ninety, as in with tax and fees over one hundred dollars per person. Wow for the family it would be over five hundred dollars and that doesn't even include popcorn ! This has me wondering, in today's economy where the unemployment rate is through the roof and people can barely pay their mortgage, who can afford this ? Gee for my family of five it would cost a little over five hundred dollars for a couple hour show. What else could I do with five hundred dollars? How about buy a side of beef(200-225 lbs of meat) for the freezer,which would cover the family's meat for months. I just don't understand. Now don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with taking a vacation when you can and splurging from time to time, when your able but six shows expected to sell out in an area where unemployment is epidemic, just doesn't make sense to me. As for me, unless I win some tickets I will not be seeing Cirque Du Soleil anytime soon. Instead I think I will save a bit more and try to grab a deal on a three day cruise to the Bahamas. After all if I'm going to splurge I want to do it a little further than ten minutes from home !