Things that make marketers (even more) crazy

People keep telling me "Lion King" is sold out.

True, it's doing very well, but it's not sold out.

If it were sold out, we'd stop running ads and save the money.

So if you've been thinking about seeing this show, or any show, don't assume it's sold out until you try ... especially if you're still seeing ads for it. -- MichaelK

Hey, we were tweeted!

I just got this message via my Twitter feed from TBO.com:

Breaking News: Arts Center's 'Lion King' Features A Local Talent: TAMPA – A graduate of Blake... http://tinyurl.com/4cdl2

It's all about the new Nala we have here in The Lion King. Check out the full story via the tinyurl above!

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More on student rush offers

We've gotten a few questions recently via email about student rush offers, and so I thought I'd post this response from Nick Smith, one of your friendly neighborhood Ticket Office Managers. This response was to a question as to how someone goes about getting one of the 50% off student rush tickets to The Lion King:

Thank you for your interest in our theater!

On June 3rd the only performance we have scheduled is a 7:30pm showing of Disney’s The Lion King. If you are interested we do have a student discount that is 50% off. This discount is available 90 minutes prior to the performance, with a valid student ID at the ticket office window.

For the latest information on discounted performances you can click this link:

http://www.tbpac.org/ticketoffice/discounts.htm

We look forward to seeing you at the theater!

Nicholas Smith
Ticketing - Customer Service Manager
Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center

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Too much free stuff!

There is still time to win the Avenue Q hand puppet eyeballs and Original Broadway Cast Recording. Text AVEQ to TBPAC (82722) NOW for your chance to win!

We also have a pair of Chris Rock tickets being given away - send the text ROCK to TBPAC (82722) for your chance to score those.

Between this blog, our SMS service and our eCenter newsletter - we hope to be making you happy with free swag at least once a week! Free! Woo hoo!

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BLAKE H.S. GRAD DEBUTS AS ‘NALA’ IN THE LION KING

It was no surprise to me that Dan’yelle would make it this far. I’m waiting to see how long it will be before she receives her first TONY AWARD.

I too graduated H.W. Blake H.S. for the Arts in Musical Theater. Dan’yelle was one of my best friends and an amazing performer since our freshman year; only to get better over time. She is one of the most delightful, humorous, and humble performers to work with. She was probably the best singer any high school could’ve had. I was not shocked when I heard about her success in the Chicago Wicked cast. I am but beyond thrilled to see her debut in Disney’s The Lion King here in her hometown.

She is a must see performer. I can only see Patti LuPone and Stephanie Mills status in her future!

- Spencer Meyers

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Boy that hyena can sing!

The Lion King company member Jayne Trinette (she plays Shenzi the hyena) stepped out from underneath her costume and from behind her mask to belt out the “Star-Spangled Banner” at the Tampa Bay Rays game on Monday, May 12. Looking glamorous in her stylish outfit (and her requisite Lion King t-shirt), Trinette marched past home plate and onto the infield at Tropicana Field to deliver a stunning rendition of our national anthem. Husband Bryan was down on the field with Jayne, camcorder in hand, beaming with pride.

The large crowd at the game (thanks to the Rays current winning ways -- and their popular opponents the Yankees) gave her a mighty cheer for a job well done. And all the way back up to her seat in the stands, game-goers shouts could be heard: “Way to go,” “What a voice,” “Great job,” “You were amazing.” And she was.

By the way, the Rays trounced the Yankees 7 to 1 leaving them just a half game behind in the American League East.

They must have been inspired by that “Star-Spangled Banner!”

- Paul B.

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Student rush tickets: The Lion King

If you're a student, you can get HALF OFF tickets to THE LION KING.

That's right ladies and gents - HALF OFF - but only if you're a student with a valid ID.

This is the deal:

• 50% off any requested seats to all performances except our matinees.
• Two tickets max per valid student I.D. (Yes, you must show a valid student I.D. to get it!)
• At the TBPAC Ticket Office window ONLY. (No phone or internet sales)
• No sooner than 90 minutes prior to curtain.
• Subject to availability. Not valid on any prior sales or in conjunction with any other offer.

THE LION KING plays Carol Morsani Hall through June 22.

Take advantage!

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Tony nominees announced today

This just in:

"August: Osage County," "The Seafarer," "The 39 Steps" and "Rock 'n' Roll" have been nominated for Best Play.

For Best Musical: "Cry-Baby," "In the Heights," "Xanadu," "Passing Strange"

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play: Ben Daniels, "Les Liaison Dangereuses"; Laurence Fishburne, "Thurgood"; Mark Rylance, "Boeing-Boeing," Rufus Sewell, "Rock 'n' Roll"; Patrick Stewart, "Macbeth"

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play: Eve Best, "The Homecoming"; Deanna Dunagan, "August: Osage County"; Kate Fleetwood, "Macbeth"; S. Epatha Merkerson, "Come Back, Little Sheba"; Amy Morton, "August: Osage County"

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical: Daniel Evans, "Sunday in the Park With George"; Lin-Manuel Miranda, "In the Heights"; Stew, "Passing Strange"; Paulo Szot, "South Pacific"; Tom Wopat, "A Catered Affair"

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical: Kerry Butler, "Xanadu"; Patti Lupone, "Gypsy"; Kelli O'Hara, "South Pacific"; Faith Prince, "A Catered Affair; Jenna Russell, "Sunday in the Park With George" -- MichaelK

For a full list of nominees, go to the official Tony Awards site.

The awards show will air on Sunday, June 15, on CBS.

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Win Chris Rock tickets!

Win a pair of tickets to see Chris Rock by sending the text message ROCK to TBPAC (82722). Contest ends on or around May 26, 2008. A random entry will be drawn and notified by May 30, 2008, via text message.

For those not in the know, we have a whole list of commands available for your convenience. Just send any of these text messages below to TBPAC (82722) to take advantage:

INFO - gets you our hours, phone numbers, web address, how to get here etc. Handy as a resource when you're on the go!
EVENTS - tells you what is on the stages here at TBPAC any given week. Sweet!
SAVE - adds you to the list to get hot deals when they are announced.
HELP - sends you a list of available commands.
STOP - makes us quit with the text messages to you.

Good luck!

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A nice note from a WTSP contest winner

Angela Lakin got this note and photos in the mail this weekend after a winner of a WTSP contest sent a photo (click it for a larger version) and a thank-you for the tickets to the show:

Edna entered her husband Al into the WTSP "Be treated like a king or queen" Lion King contest. They got tickets to the show and a two night package with dinner at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Here was the winning entry:

"I have just finished up a year of chemo and radiation and my lymphoma is in remission and my husband has taken such good care of me, he is my king and I would love to treat him to this treat we love Broadway and the Casino it would be perfect thank you"

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Tampa Trib review: The Lion King

"At this point, if you have any inclination toward musical stage productions and you still haven't seen it, you are duty-bound to go." - The Tampa Tribune

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TBPAC featured in Best of Tampa Bay ish of Tampa Bay Magazine

Flip over to pg. 60 of this month's issue of Tampa Bay Magazine to read how TBPAC was chosen as the Best Performing Arts Center in the area. Our listing is right next to that really scrumptious looking picture of fried soft-shelled crabs with the drawn butter boat in the middle from Crabby Bill's.

Mmmmm ... fried soft-shelled crabs with drawn butter...

Maybe it's time for lunch ...

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We have a winner

Anonymous, you're the winner of our giveaway for the free CD carrying case from Passing Strange.

Trick is - who are you? And how would I know it's really you? :)

Comment to this entry to claim, and we'll work out mailing the schwag to you!

TBPAC partners with a new program, Kidz Connect

From their new blog:

Kidz Connect is a program that connects young people in different countries via media art, performance and collaborative creation in virtual worlds. This summer, students at the Patel Conservatory in Tampa, Florida, will partner with students at the IVKO Montessori School in Amsterdam, Netherlands to create a hybrid virtual city in Teen Second Life, combining aspects of both cultures. Within that common space, they will create a show together that will be performed live and online simultaneously. This program is supported by partnerships between IVKO Montessori School, the Patel Conservatory, the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, the Waag Society for Old and New Media and ZoomLab.

Check it out!

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Mother's Day and TBPAC

If you're looking for a last minute Mother's Day gift - let us humbly suggest:

• You’ve caused plenty of drama in your mother’s life! This Mother’s Day say “thank you” with a gift certificate from TBPAC. Gift certificates can be redeemed for tickets, membership, merchandise, dining at Maestro’s and classes at the Patel Conservatory. Gift Certificates are available online, by visiting the TBPAC Ticket Office or by calling 813.229.STAR (7827).
• We also have a 50% off special running on tickets to HATS! for the remaining shows (1p tomorrow, 2p Sat. and Sun.). This special was originally set up just for Mother's Day, but we decided to make a Mother's Day weekend of it. Use promo code MOM when you visit the TBPAC Ticket Office, call 813.229.STAR or buy online.

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TBPAC loves Dilbert (well, at least I do)

I had the unfortunate adventure of finding a termite in my house this weekend. Turns out I don't have termites (phew), but the termite guy asked me "Where do you work?"

Now EVERY time I get this question and I answer "the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center," I get the same response.

"That sounds so cool!"

When it comes down to it, I work in an office like any other office any place in America. Therefore, I love Dilbert. I read Dilbert daily. I've subscribed to Dilbert through an RSS feed. Because I can relate to Dilbert. As can most people here I suspect. You can walk around the offices here and most likely will find Dilbert comics pasted to doors, hanging on cubicle walls, they're everywhere.

So, come read Culture Shock and get your Daily Dilbert at the same time. We're embedding a Dilbert widget for you. Have fun.

(By the way, SOMETIMES it really is cool.)

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FREE Passing Strange CD carrier

I have a FREE Passing Strange CD carrier to give away to a randomly drawn commenter who tells me what the best thing they've seen here at TBPAC this year. It can just be the show name, or feel free to share your thoughts on why you thought the show was so great. Any genre, any hall.

Deadline to enter is tomorrow, May 8, at 4pm.

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Catch PASSING STRANGE on The View

On Monday, the cutting-edge new Broadway production, Passing Strange, was honored with 7 Drama Desk Awards nominations:

• Outstanding Musical
• Outstanding Actor in a Musical
• Outstanding Choreography
• Outstanding Music
• Outstanding Lyrics
• Outstanding Book of a Musical
• Outstanding Orchestrations

If you can't make it to the Big Apple but would like a sample - watch acclaimed rock musician & composer, Stew, and his buddies on ABC's The View, Monday, May 12. Check your listings!

Here are some other ways you can find out more about this innovative new musical:

See the TV Spot

See Videos and Photos

Hear the Music and download mp3

Download E-Card, Wallpaper, Buddy Icons, 2 sizes of Banners and links to MySpace and Facebook

Have a mobile moment right now: Text ROCK to 42903

“The exuberant new show Passing Strange is far richer in wit, feeling, and sheer personality than most of what is classified as musical theater these days.” – The New York Times

Out of my wife's last trip to NYC, only two shows made a major impression on her - Passing Strange and the straight play August: Osage County. She's not easily impressed, so praise as high as she was giving it is something to listen to.

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THE LION KING preview, video

You can read this nifty little preview story on THE LION KING on TBO.com before it even hits the streets in the print edition here. The thrust of the story is things you might not know about the show, so give it a read!

And, for your viewing pleasure I'm also including the :30 TV spot you'd have to live under a rock to not see over the next month and a half.



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