Living in upper middle class

but not earning upper middle class wages is a pain. The number of fall school plays and community theater coming up is getting expensive and I know those involved would like to come. One kid is in the school show and the community theater show.

What I want to know is where these schools get off charging what they charge for tickets. 17.00 for a school play! The shows are all within a few days of each other too. I have no idea how I am going to manage it.