Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Theater fans, get ready to line up early

By BARBARA L. FREDRIKSEN
Published July 9, 2006

Gee. This could turn out like one of those lines for a Bruce Springsteen concert, where people bring sleeping bags and coolers and wait in line for days to get the best seats.

But let's hope not - especially because I'll be in line and my mom will be at home with her finger poised over the phone to call for the best seats we can get.

No, it's not the Super Bowl, and it isn't the Boss. It's the Show Palace Dinner Theatre's 2007-2008 season ticket presale. The last time one of these was held, the line stretched out the door and around the corner.

This one starts at 9 a.m. Monday for shows from June 1, 2007, through May 25, 2008. It's a special 29-day sale for previous and present season ticket holders, and it ends at 6 p.m. Aug. 7.

The 2007-2008 presale is going to be first come, first served, and no previously purchased tables are guaranteed. In other words, just because you sat at Table 14 for the last 10 years doesn't mean you'll get Table 14 again - unless it's open when your turn comes up.

Buyers must purchase a package of at least three or four shows (a season ticket), as no tickets for individual shows will be for sale until 9 a.m. Aug. 8, when all seats go on sale. If you would like, you can buy all eight shows through May 2008, which gives you a much better chance of getting the seat you want.

To make things a little more pleasant, Show Palace co-owner Sal Sessa will serve bagels and coffee to those in line starting about 8:30 a.m.

The office will take phone orders, too, but those who go to the box office in Hudson will probably get priority service. (Call 863-7949 in west Pasco and toll-free elsewhere at 1-888-655-7469.)

Be aware that on July 1, the Show Palace increased ticket prices. An individual dinner and show is $42.50; show only, $31.45; age 12 and younger is $24.95 with dinner and $19.95 without. Three shows are $108.75, four shows are $145 and all eight of the new shows are $290, plus 7 percent tax.

* * *

Stage West Community Playhouse in Spring Hill has switched its Forum season around from an earlier announcement, putting the musical comedy first, the comedy-drama second and the pure drama last.

Friday and Saturday performances are at 7 p.m. Sunday performances are at 1 p.m., an hour earlier than Main Stage shows. Tickets are $12 for the musical, $10 for the two plays or $25 for all three shows.

* * *

Area theatergoers have watched Andrea Eskin blossom into quite a performer since she played a young Helen Keller (and was Andi Sperduti) at Stage West Community Playhouse's production of The Miracle Worker in 1991.

She's a frequent dancer, choreographer and supporting player at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre and recently performed with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Now she has landed the leading role in the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre's production of Thoroughly Modern Millie from July 25 through Sept. 10 in Sarasota.

[Last modified July 8, 2006, 22:42:53]