Palo Alto High School’s theater program will begin selling reserved-seating tickets in a new online box office, according to box office coordinator Stefanie Wilen.
“[Buyers] can go to the Paly Theater website to buy tickets with a credit card,” Wilen explained. “Patrons will get choices for the best available seats as they go through the order process — it’s really easy. Using the new web ticketing service is the way to grab the best seats at the Haymarket.”
The spring musical, My Fair Lady, will be the first show to have reserved seating.
“That means everyone can choose the best seats available for each show, just like you would for any professional theater,” said Wilen. “We’re thrilled that a marquee musical like “My Fair Lady” will run at the Haymarket, so we’re stepping up ticketing to enhance our audience’s experience.”
Unlike the previous box office system, which made it difficult to purchase tickets anywhere other than at the door, the new system makes it easier to purchase from the auditor’s office as well as online.
“There’s a flyer you can take home that explains everything, a form to request where you want to sit, and a new email account for the box office,” Wilen said. “So keep enjoying the convenience of buying your dance tickets through the ASB’s [Associated Student Body] web store, and start enjoying the convenience of our enhanced box office.”
“Paly’s webstore is really good at selling items like ASB cards, textbooks, and reservations for AP tests,” Wilen continued. “It was never meant to sell tickets for theater productions. When director Kathleen Woods decided to sell reserved tickets for My Fair Lady, our box office capabilities hit a wall.”
The solution was a company called Seat Yourself, the same company Gunn High School uses for their box office.
“Seat Yourself specializes in online box office services for high schools, community theatre and colleges,” Wilen said. “You can get to the Seat Yourself web store through the Paly theatre’s website. Our Paly Auditor can also help you buy tickets through the Seat Yourself web store when you visit her window.”
The online box office will go live at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8, just in time for My Fair Lady‘s opening. Tickets will still be available at the door, though choice seating may not be available.
“Just remember that the earlier you get tickets, the more choices you’ll have,” Wilen said. “We can’t guarantee that your favorite seat will be available, but we can guarantee lots of choices, easy ordering, a massively talented cast, great music, fabulous sets, gorgeous costumes and a wonderful show.”