Tickets for the 2007 return of “Wicked” don’t even go on sale to the general public until Monday, but thousands were snatched up in the 24 hours following Wednesday’s announcement that the popular musical will fly back to the Buell Theatre 20 months from now.
That’s because Denver Center Attractions made online sales immediately available to recipients of its electronic mailing list, a group of about 80,000. More than 3,540 single tickets were claimed as of 4:30 p.m. Thursday, with group sales accounting for 1,810 more.
Mike Meko, who organized a group of 160 friends and Qwest co-workers to attend Friday’s performance, already has reserved 200 more seats for the return May 16-June 3, 2007.
“I absolutely love this show, and that is the reason I jumped on the bandwagon so soon,” said Meko, who has seen the show four times in New York and twice in Denver. “Although I must admit, I have never done something so far in advance. But I know I will have people interested in seeing the show again when it returns.”
All this excitement has DCA officials concerned about scalping, but that’s a problem it can’t fully control.
“There is no chance a scalper buying bulk tickets can get them through our group sales department, because they develop ongoing relationships with legitimate businesses, and they know who they are dealing with,” said DCA spokesperson Jenny Schiavone. “And if anybody tries to purchase 20 or more tickets through the regular box office, ticket agents will promptly refer them to group sales.
“But there’s no way we can really control how many tickets one determined person can buy through the box office, on the phone and online. But we know it happens, because we see what these tickets are going for on eBay.”
Readers responded with a maudlin fascination to the unprecedented advance sale. “I am not buying tickets to this now,” one wrote, “because who knows where I will be? I could be dead by then!” Another speculated whether people might have the fate of their tickets added to their wills.
“Lion King” to rescue
Denver Post readers weren’t the only ones who responded after a fire left Akil LuQman, his mother and six siblings homeless. LuQman is the 15-year-old former star of “The Lion King” national tour. Shawn Hann, LuQman’s teacher at the Denver School of the Arts, reports DCA raised $1,000 for the family. Post readers offered another $1,000 and the “Lion King” touring cast, which said goodbye to LuQman two full years ago, ponied up $700 when they heard about the fire. Readers also have called in with offers of furniture. Checks can be mailed to Mariko LuQman via DSA, 7111 Montview Blvd., Denver 80220.
Seawell honored
The Post reported Friday that Denver Center for the Performing Arts founder Donald R. Seawell will be given the Theatre Hall of Fame’s Founder’s Award at a Jan. 30 ceremony in New York. The award is for lifetime achievement in the theater. Seawell has won two Tony Awards – in 1983 for producing a Broadway revival of “On Your Toes,” and in 1998, when his Denver Center Theatre Company was named the country’s best regional theater.
Briefly …
The Colorado Theatre Guild’s Sept. 25 Hurricane Katrina benefit, which raised $7,800 for the American Red Cross, should set a precedent for future fundraisers. More than 53 invited performers from 15 companies joined the Queen City Jazz Band for a spectacular group finale of “When the Saints Go Marching In.” “I’ve never been so proud to be part of this theater community,” said the DCTC’s Jamie Horton, who performed an uproarious scene from “Trumbo: Red, White and Blacklisted.” …
DCPA president Randy Weeks said he expects his Frank Sinatra tribute “My Way” to run at least through the end of the year at the Galleria Theatre. … But no word yet on what title might replace “Doctor Dolittle” on the 2006 DCA season. That show was announced for less than a day before producers canceled the tour. …
“The Fourth Wall” has been extended at the Avenue Theatre through May 22, with Geoff Kent and Mare Trevathan joining Edith Weiss and Paul Dunne in the cast beginning Friday (303-321-5925). …
Six shows named “picks of the fringe” – the best of the recent Boulder International Fringe Festival – will be reprised Thursday through
Saturday at various times and venues. For specifics, call 303-513-2770 or go to
helixentertainment.com.
Theater critic John Moore can be reached at 303-820-1056 or jmoore@denverpost.com.
