PHANTOM LAS VEGAS-URGENT INFO

[Susan~Sporran]

PHANTOM CANCELLED FOR JUNE 10

I am beyond upset and sick to have to tell everyone that the producers of Phantom Las Vegas have decided to change their "dark" day from Wednesday to Sunday effective this week. Yes, that means for the second year in a row our plans have been fooked up.

Dayna and I are both working fervently behind the scenes through various channels to try to make the best of this - attempting to get something more from those who made this decision than a reimbursement or alternative date. We will update you with any additional information we receive.

In the meantime, once the shock has worn off, I need to get the following input from each person who booked a ticket through our group, and I will do my best to send a PM out to everyone who doesn't PM me today. These are your choices:

1- Refund of ticket price

2- Exchange for ticket on Wednesday, June 6

3- Exchange for ticket on Thursday, June 7 (we are also TRYING to see if the Rio will allow those who have Chippendales tickets for Thursday night to exchange them for Sunday if they want, but since Rio and Venetian are unrelated there is only a slim chance of this - but we are going to ask).

4- Exchange for ticket on Monday, June 11

I am so sorry, and so angry too. I wasn't even notified by the Venetian about this - it just happened that another GAL was trying to get a ticket to see it with us and noticed that no shows were listed for June 10 and she contacted me. So I got on the phone and called the box office just before it closed and after being run around for 15 minutes (on a call I was paying for because of course they have no toll-free number) they finally informed me that there will be no shows that night, that the producers just decided on Saturday to make the schedule change and it is effective this week.

My heart is broken, for the 2nd time in a row but moreso this year because there were so many of us going to share this experience together.

I will be speaking with the box office supervisor again today and would like to start letting her know who wants tickets for the other nights.

[Susan~Sporran]

[MareksLadyD]

I'm sick, just sick. If I have to choose I will exchange tickets for Monday the 11th. I still want to take my daughter and I will still be in town. Crap that just sucks!

Edited May 29, 2007 by DawnS

[Cassie]

I'm so sorry about this. I wasn't going, but I still feel really bummed for you guys. Question - if you're trying to get exchanges for the 7th does this mean you're trying to move the Chippendales show to another time?

Cassie

[Susan~Sporran]

NO - many people are booked for the Chippendales show on Thursday and that isn't going to change. We are going to ASK if they might allow some people who want to exchange their tickets for another night if they will allow that (to accomodate attending Phantom) but it is too late to make a mass change - and not everyone who was going to Phantom was going to Chippendales. So Chippies will still be on Thursday night as far as I know. Some have already elected to forego Chippies whether they can change their tickets or not - because they want to attend Phantom more.

[Marissa]

Aw, this really sucks.

Thanks for letting us know, Susan.

If you want, I will contact Celine for my ticket. I'm sure she'd appreciate the full refund.

[Susan~Sporran]

Aw, this really sucks.

Thanks for letting us know, Susan.

If you want, I will contact Celine for my ticket. I'm sure she'd appreciate the full refund.

Thanks, Marissa - that would be a really nice gesture if you want to ask Celine.

Hugs

Susan

[LeslieDcup]

Well, I'd go on Thursday, but then I'd need my Chippies ticket refunded. So I guess I'll just have a refund of the POTO ticket. It's showing here in DC and my DH offered to take me for my bday but I told him not to b/c I was going to Vegas show. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!! Boy, this really s-u-c-k-s!!

[Misty W]

OMG... This sucks!!

Dang Venetian anyway!!!!!!!!!

Since I don't get in until Thursday (and I so want to go to Chippies) and we leave Monday...I don't know what to do!

Thanks for letting us know as soon as you did, Susan!

Must go think...

[Marissa]

Aw, this really sucks.

Thanks for letting us know, Susan.

If you want, I will contact Celine for my ticket. I'm sure she'd appreciate the full refund.

Thanks, Marissa - that would be a really nice gesture if you want to ask Celine.

Hugs

Susan

Susan,

I just PM'd Celine and cc'd it to Holly since she talks to Celine on the phone. I wasn't sure if Celine would be able to sit up and be on her computer anytime soon, so hopefully this way, you will hear from her on time. If she PM's me back, I'll be sure and let you know ASAP.

Hugs,

Rissa

[Scorpio613]

:swear:

I was so looking forward to seeing POTO again. I saw it last year and just loved it.

But now I have another problem...getting my flight changed! I changed my flight to Monday so I could see POTO on Sunday. Now I don't have a reason to stay the extra day. I just hope I can get my flight changed.

[Swansong]

It is ROTTEN of the Venetian not to let our group know of this change in a courteous and professional manner. My family has gone to enormous expense just to see POTO: booking an extra day in Vegas for the event, purchasing special outfits for the red and black theme. I am sure others of you have done the same.

But of course, my choice is to change our 3 POTO tickets for Thursday night, and miss the Chippies. Also, I don't know how the refunding process works, but I'd like to donate my Chippies 50.00 refund to the GALS for convention expenses, if that can be arranged.

I am sorry for the GALS who won't be able to see POTO, due to these changes.

(Susan, I also sent you a PM)

Swannie

Swansong GAL: Lady of the Lair,

'Guardian of the Master's Dreams'

And Willing OCPA Sufferer

[MareksLadyD]

Why couldn't they change their dark day like a month out? I mean they have sold tickets to this. I just don't understand how business can be done this way?

[Stacy A.]

Awww, man! I was hoping to get a ticket to see this! Now I'm trying to think what I can do, because I really want to see it.

Is anyone staying over in Vegas until Monday, that has a roommate who isn't, with room so I can maybe tag along? PM me if you do!

Stacy

[AimeeMarie]

Fookers anyhow!

I want a refund - I'm not altering my plans.

[Guest Aislinn]

I'm so sorry for everyone who had tickets for Sunday. I know how disappointed you all are, and how hard sweet Susan has been working to coordinate this event. I was the GAL who tried to get a ticket at the last minute and (thoroughly confused) contacted Susan.

For those who are unable to see POTO on one of the alternate dates, when I learned the Venetian was dark on Sunday, I decided to see Spam-A-Lot alone at the Wynn on Sunday. I need a laugh! Don't we all? After all, their theme song is "Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life".

So, for those who cannot see POTO on Wednesday, Thursday or Monday -- and who still would like to see a Vegas show on Sunday -- Monty Python's Spam-A-Lot has good seats available. Mine is in the Orchestra section. Even if we all don't get to sit together, we can still have dinner or something.

Just a thought! I know you all are disappointed. I'm sure Susan and Dayna will do everything possible to get some kind of special compensation for you. In the meantime, everyone take a deep breath and think positive! And if you want to laugh instead of cry over the phantom, think Holy Grail! Or if that doesn't appeal to you, remember it's VEGAS, baby! Lots of stuff going on!

Love ya,

Ashley/Aislinn

PS: I just called the Wynn to check on availability for Sunday's performance. They only have one show that night and it starts at 8 PM. So, we could have dinner beforehand as a group. If anyone is interested in seats, I am in ORCHESTRA SEC C - ROW M - 109. She said they have a group of seats together in the same section but 7 rows behind me. So, it's an alternative for anyone who wants to go. She said if anyone is interested to let them know my seat number and they would try to seat us as close together as possible. Box Office Phone Number is: (702) 770-9966 The price of the orchestra ticket is $99.00. Also, she said they have no intention of going dark on that day.

Edited May 29, 2007 by Aislinn

[Swansong]

Yes Aislinn. When I first heard this news, I was devastated (because I was under the impression that we would not get to see POTO at all)

But...once my anger wore off, I made a decision that nothing was going to spoil my joy.... or ruin my fun for this convention!

We are GALS.... with a positive outlook, good graces and humor.....we can make Gerry Juice out of the sourest lemon!!!!!!

Swannie

Swansong GAL: Lady of the Lair,

'Guardian of the Master's Dreams'

And Willing OCPA Sufferer

[sbchild04]

Susan, I am so sorry to hear that this happened for a 2nd time!! I hope that everything works out in the end for everyone!!

*Sarah

[Guest Aislinn]

That's right, Swannie. Okay, why do I hear Judy Garland from "Meet Me In St. Louis" running through my head right now???? Remember the line.

"We can be happy anywhere as long as we're together!" (Well...something like that!" )

So, turn that frown upside down and think "ALTERNATIVE!"

((Hugs))

Ashley/Aislinn

Yes Aislinn. When I first heard this news, I was devastated (because I was under the impression that we would not get to see POTO at all)

But...once my anger wore off, I made a decision that nothing was going to spoil my joy.... or ruin my fun for this convention!

We are GALS.... with a positive outlook, good graces and humor.....we can make Gerry Juice out of the sourest lemon!!!!!!

Swannie

Swansong GAL: Lady of the Lair,

'Guardian of the Master's Dreams'

And Willing OCPA Sufferer

[discoveringme]

Susan - thank you so very much for all of your hard work in coordinating what would have been a terrific event. I'm bummed that they've made the choice they have, especially after selling tickets but I guess that frustration is for another day and another venue.

Aislinn-Thank you as well for alerting Susan like you did so that we can all take a deep breath and figure out what to do next. I cringe at thinking we would have shown up on Sunday night all ready to go. They would have had a mini-riot on their hands, I fear.

Susan - I'll post back in here what I'm going to do. I need to check with a couple of folks first. I'm liking the idea of Phantom on Wednesday and perhaps Spam-a-lot on Sunday but that's a whole other cost of a ticket so what to do, what to do.

to you both for letting us know about this.

Jill

[touchmetrustme]

For those of you wishing to get refunds on the Chippie tickets, I have my doubts that will happen. Any show tickets I have purchased lately have been totally non-refundable, unless the show itself is cancelled (as POTO on Sunday), then the venue is required to make refunds. I could be and hope I am wrong.

[eriksenglishrose]

I've had nothing but trouble with these i think rude and unproffessional people. It took four fookin phone calls to try to send me an email and guess what i never got it. I'm not going to see this now out of principal and i'm very sorry you've all been let down. I just can't believe they didn't even have the decency to let the gals know seeing jusy how much money we've spent with them.

I don't think i'd enjoy myself now if i did go because the whole business has left a bitter taste in my mouth.

I personally wouldn't give them a dime let alone $150, but that's just me.

What a shame i think.

All the best

Simone

xxxxxxx

[Susan~Sporran]

So far the people I have dealt with have been courteous and as helpful as they can be, but they aren't the decision makers. Apparently the decision was made late on Friday and the information was sent to some of the box office people - but they weren't instructed to start contacting ticketholders until yesterday, so they had a GREAT holiday I'm sure - contacting people who were somewhere between upset and irate. The problem is the decision makers aren't the ones who have to bear the brunt of their decision - so far. Isn't it lovely sit in a lofty tower somewhere making decision that not only impact people's plans and vacations, but also make life Hell for the poor folks who are delegated the task of making the notifications. I understand there was another group, much larger than ours, that has been dealt the bad news as well and are not taking it any better than we are. But I think there are a couple of differences - for one this has been done to us TWICE and the other is that we are specifically Phantom fans, brought together by our love of the movie and the man who played the lead role. We aren't just a generic group of convention attendees who picked this show and could easily pick another to substitute for it. That is what I want them to understand about us.

[discoveringme]

Even if the ones who made the decision understood that, I doubt they would care. It all comes down to the $$, I guess, and Sundays must not have been a big day for them. It makes no sense to me but still....

:angry2:

[Swansong]

I will say this:

We may be just ordinary working folk, who don't know the *right* people or hang out in the *best* circles, but it is WE the fans; the everyday folks who LOVE POTO, who have made this show the HUGE hit it is. We are the ones who supported a movie the critics hated, and we STILL to this day, spend $$ for POTO related media and merchandise.

I have no idea the criteria for deciding on a "Black Sunday" or how they select which shows to cancel, but in my opinion, they show a total disregard for the very people (All POTO fans) who have moved mountains in their lives to see this show.

My family and I are not people who can afford to head off to Broadway, or any other professional venue to a see a live show. The world we live in is 9-5, and this Vegas trip is the FIRST family vacation we have EVER booked. The bills get paid first, and the several hundred $$ we paid to stay an extra day are not NOTHING to us.

I am very disappointed in WHOEVER is responsible for pulling the plug on a momentous group event that has been in the planning for nearly A YEAR, and what upsets me most...is that they probably don't care.

Yes, I will make the best of this... because THAT's the GALS spirit.... but I think it's ROTTEN!

Swannie

Edited May 29, 2007 by Swansong