Denver Center roaring over bogus ticket sales for Lion King

The Lion King is about to roar into the Denver Performing Arts Complex, followed by a revival of West Side Story. Such shows are not just popular with audiences, but with bogus ticket sellers, too. "We just want to make people aware that we're really the only authorized ticket sellers,"...

By Patricia Calhoun

October 25, 2011

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

The Lion King is about to roar into the Denver Performing Arts Complex, followed by a revival of West Side Story. Such shows are not just popular with audiences, but with bogus ticket sellers, too.

"We just want to make people aware that we're really the only authorized ticket sellers," says Alexandra Griesmer, spokeswoman for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. "We want to save people from paying twice as much as they have to." And not just paying too much, but buying tickets that could be invalid. "We always have cases," she says.

Which explains the alert that went out yesterday from the DCPA:

THE DENVER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS CLARIFIES THAT DENVERCENTER.ORG IS THE ONLY AUTHORIZED ONLINE TICKET SELLER OF TICKETS FOR DENVER CENTER ATTRACTIONS

Denver, CO -- Denver Center Attractions proudly presents some of the most popular touring productions currently on the road. The 2011 Denver Center Attractions season is no exception, with titles that include West Side Story and the much anticipated return of Disney's THE LION KING. With all productions presented by Denver Center Attractions, customers are able to purchase their tickets through the only authorized online ticket seller, www.denvercenter.org, by calling 303.893.4100 or in person at Speer & Arapahoe in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex.

Due to the popularity of these touring productions, ticket buyers often find that tickets are available through secondary ticket agencies or brokers, but the Denver Center for the Performing Arts cautions consumers that www.denvercenter.org is the only online authorized seller of tickets for Denver Center Attractions.

"We have seen instances of great disappointment when patrons find themselves with invalid tickets, says DCPA president and COO Randy Weeks. "Using our website will guarantee this won't happen."

Here is how to purchase tickets for Denver Center Attractions:

· Visit www.denvercenter.org

· Call the box office at 303.893.4100 10am-6pm, Mon-Sat

· Visit the box office in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex, Speer & Arapahoe

For more information about Denver Center Attractions entire 2011 season, visit www.denvercenter.org.

By the way, Griesmer says that tickets are already going well for The Lion King, and that the run -- which starts November 2 and runs through December 4 at the Buell -- could be a sellout.

Follow us on Twitter!

Like us on Facebook!

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

Contact: Patricia Calhoun

Follow:

Facebook: patricia.calhoun.927