Memorial Hall tickets are a hot seller

Single tickets are going fast for the first season of performances at the renovated Memorial Hall.

Lines at the box office, however, are not.

The office opened Monday for people who want to purchase individual tickets for the upcoming season, but because of a high volume of buyers and other problems, lines dragged.

Ticket subscription packages went on sale July 1 and also have been moving briskly.

People who came to purchase individual tickets Monday waited, some as long as 45 minutes, in the heat outside the hall to get seats.

Emil Kang, executive director for the arts, was out talking to customers and handing out free bottles of water. He said some people were upset that they could not purchase tickets on the Internet.

“We’re not online yet, and we’re working on that,” Kang said.

While some people were upset with the process, he said the spirit of the day was not one of bitterness and most people were just anxious to get seats.

“They were really worried that they wouldn’t be able to,” he said.

Tuesday, problems were still apparent at the box office, though lines were moved into the air-conditioned lobby. Some customers were listing complaints to officials and box-office personnel.

“We’re working out a few kinks, but we’ll get there,” said Steve Allred, executive associate provost, who came by the box office Tuesday.

Patrons had to fill out forms with their contact information, which had to be entered into the box office’s computer system, before they could purchase tickets. Allred said that process added to the wait.

He said officials are working on a system to link campus box offices so patrons can purchase tickets at one location.

“The goal is that someone who wants to attend any performance on campus … can go online and buy tickets,” Allred said.

Until that time, people who want to attend performances at Memorial Hall must call or go to the box office.

Susan Ellis, a UNC alumna, said she tried to call the box office Monday but couldn’t get through. She came to the Memorial Hall box office in person Tuesday to get tickets for an October show.

She said she was excited about seeing performances in the transformed hall, which she attended when she was a student.

“I can tell that the level of performances here is really going to take it a step up.”

 

Contact the A&E Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.