'42nd Street' not sold out, SEMO says

Southeast Missouri State University's production of "42nd Street" is on track to become the university's best-selling theater production in 33 years.

But the university theater and dance department's marketing manager is concerned that rumors circulating about the remaining shows being sold out could jeopardize sales in the coming week.

Marketing manager Perrey Lee said she's heard talk around town that no "42nd Street" tickets are left, but that's not the case. Tickets remain for all upcoming shows Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, she said. With the positive reviews the production has received from audience members, Lee said, interest in the production is high. The remaining dates could sell out, but they haven't yet.

"The phone will not stop ringing" in the theater box office, Lee said.

Over the past weekend's four performances beginning Thursday, all but 12 seats were sold, Lee said.

"Godspell" sold out its entire run in 1974, but the most successful recent production was 2005's "Guys and Dolls," which came within one seat of selling out in its fourth and fifth performances. However, only 174 seats were sold on "Guys and Dolls" opening night in a theater with a 496-seat capacity. The second performance only sold 231 seats.

So far sales are already strong for the coming weekend run. As of noon Monday, the maximum number of remaining seats for any of the coming weekend's shows was 157 for Sunday's performance.

Dr. Kenn Stilson, "42nd Street" director and theater and dance department chair, said he anticipates strong sales to continue as more people see the show -- one of Southeast's biggest ever on many fronts, including its estimated $50,000 price tag.

"I think the word is getting out that it's a good show," Stilson said. "People are really enjoying it, and word-of-mouth becomes your best means of marketing."

Stilson said some people who've seen "42nd Street" have even pledged to provide monetary support for the theater and dance department.

As for the reason for the success: musicals like "42nd Street" tend to be a hit with local crowds, and the show's energetic, positive feeling makes it a form of entertainment that allows audiences to forget about troubles in the outside world, Stilson said.

msanders@semissourian.com

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