Before I subscribed to the paper (to be clear, I did wind up subscribing to the paper), I came across the fact that their special academic rate… actually costs more than the regular rate! That’s right, if you’re trying to get a discount because you’re an educator, then do not hold your breath because there is no discount offered. In fact, you will pay more for an all-digital subscription (see the chat screen shots below).

What I was not able to cover in the screenshots above is that the weekend subscription at the academic rate, which is the one that I ultimately chose, offers no discount. The rate is the same whether or not you are subscribing as an academic. The only difference is that the academic rate continues beyond the first year of the subscription and, at that point, you wind up paying less than the traditional subscription rates for either the all-digital or any print subscription. But what a horrible marketing approach to offer an academic rate that, for the first year at least, actually charges you more for an all-digital subscription!

Believe me, I want to be outraged by this, but at the same time and as I noted above, I went ahead and got the subscription anyway. I want to give it a shot, especially since their non-political reporting remains among the best on the planet. And for those of you who think that the New York Times makes everyone who reads it an extremist – stop it. I also consume quite a bit of right-leaning media sources as well as an increasing number of high quality independent and nonpartisan sources, so this subscription is just helping to round out my overall media consumption.

The performance schedule for The Toxic Avenger is Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 8PM, Saturday at 2PM & 8PM and Sunday at 3PM & 7PM. Tickets are $51.50 & $71.50 and may be purchased through TeleCharge at (212) 239-6200/www.telecharge.com. However, the good folks over at the Toxic Avenger musical have offered to give readers of this blog a discount on ticket prices through July 31st, 2009. If you use the code TOBLOG409 or click on this particular link to purchase tickets, you can get them for $45!

I’m hoping to clear up some space in my schedule to get into New York City to see this musical (and not just because the Toxic Avenger is New Jersey’s first superhero!). The reviews on this play have been great including reviews from the New York Times and the New York Daily News. Anyway, if any of you get a chance to get over there and see the show, let me know!