Frequently Asked Questions for Subscribers

Q. Why does it take so long to get my  tickets?

A. Subscriptions are handled by a single volunteer (who has a full-time job outside of the theater). We try  to process orders as they come in, but most of the order processing happens on the weekends. In addition, we sometimes must hold orders, particularly if you are asking to change your seats, the night you  attend, or the number of tickets you are ordering. The subscribers who held seats in previous years are handled first, and we hold their seats for a certain time before we release them. We do not start processing orders until the season and our fiscal year ends in May, and usually do not start mailing tickets until after the "early bird" discount period ends in mid-July.

Q. I sent my order in late last year and lost my seats. Can I get them back?

A. We will try, particularly if there is a health issue (age, hearing, physical disability) that makes your need for particular seats critical. However, it is not always possible to restore seats once they have been released.

Q. I let my subscription lapse last  year. Can I renew and get the same seats I had?

A. Probably not. If you let your subscription lapse for a year, your seats were probably reassigned. We will try to give you the best seats we can. You might try changing to a less popular performance.

Q. Why doesn't anyone ever answer the box office phone?

A. Our box office is handled by a voice mail system. As a volunteer organization, we cannot afford to pay someone to staff the box office during the day. We pick up messages every business day and will try to call you back within one to two business days. On production days, we will try to call you back within a few hours. The box office is also handled by a volunteer who has a full-time job.

Q. I asked for an aisle seat in the center section. Why didn't I get what I asked for?

A. We have only twenty-two center aisle seats. Most of those are held by long-time subscribers. Unless one of those subscribers releases their seats, we rarely have aisle seats available except in the back rows and in the side sections. Unless you have a disability and require an aisle seat or other accommodations, please indicate a second choice. You might also try changing to a less popular performance.

Q. I wanted a front row seat this year.  Why couldn't I get one?

A. We have twelve front row seats available for subscriptions for each performance. Most of those are held by long-time subscribers. Unless one of those subscribers releases their seats, we rarely have front row seats available. If you have hearing difficulties, please ask for an assisted hearing unit when you come to the theater. You might also try changing to a less popular performance.

Q. What's the best night for good seats?

A. We like to say that we have no bad seats (there are only 230 seats with eleven rows)! However, the Friday performance of the third week of the run usually has the most open seats, followed by the first Friday. If you have a large party, we encourage you to choose one of those nights rather than the very popular second weekend. You can also try one of the matinées.

Q. I want additional tickets for the musical next to my season subscriptions. Is this  possible?

A. Generally, this is only possible if you order a Choice subscription and select a matinee date for the musical. Since we have fewer subscribers for the matinées, seating is more open. On any other performance, there is a good chance that the seats next to you belong to another subscriber.

Q. Do you have a group sales rate?

A. Yes, we do! If you have a group of 10 or more coming on the same night, call the box office at 508-668-8446 to order your tickets. Group tickets are $12 for non-musicals and $14 for musicals.

Q. Where are the best  seats?

A. General theater wisdom is that the best seats are in the center section, three to ten rows back from the stage. Many people do not consider the front seats to be the best because you may have to view the stage at an angle. A theater is not a stadium; the best seats are usually in the middle. However, everyone has his or her own preferences and some people swear by the left and right sides of the house!

Q. Why did you go back to 3 shows instead of 4? We go away in the winter and often have to miss the February production.

A. Dropping the August production was a difficult decision, but the fourth show had become a burden and strain on our membership.  Because we are a totally volunteer group, we are only able to produce shows based on the availability of our members.  Some years ago, we changed, on a trial basis, a 3-show season to a 4-show season. Financially, the August show was never a success, and we usually played to half the audience we draw for the fall and winter shows. Should things change, we may be able to put back a fourth show sometime in the future.

Q. Why did you remove the Thursday evening shows in 2005?

A. Attendance had been declining on Thursday nights for the past few years, to the point where the house was sometimes only 30% full. On the other hand, the Sunday matinée has become very popular, and is sometimes sold out. For the 2005-2006 season, the Board decided to add a second Sunday matinée to replace the Thursday evening show.