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Centennial Hall's new season promises top-draw events

For all those who thought the line in the Administration building was long, Centennial Hall will change your mind when on Sept. 9, it opens its box office doors for the first time to all students and faculty who want to purchase tickets to any event of the 1999-2000 season.

The doors will open at 7 a.m. and stay open until 7 p.m., an extension of the box office's usual 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours. The longer hours are absolutely necessary, says Centennial Hall communications director Mark Rasdorf, because of a nearly 300 percent increase in student interest in Centennial Hall events and the huge response that this on-campus sale brought last year. Last year, ticket buyers had to endure a 2 1/2 hour wait to snag seats to their favorite shows, and students should expect the same this year. Many of the best seats have already been sold by subscription, but there are many good ones still left, so plan to arrive early.

There is a wide variety of events to choose from, including hits from Broadway. The season is comprised of "Chicago," "Miss Saigon," "Show Boat" and "Riverdance," which promises to be one of the biggest draws of the season despite the refusal to offer student discounts.

"I am very much looking forward to seeing 'Riverdance,'" says computer science junior Kelly Heffner, who will be waiting in line come Thursday morning.

Other top-draw events include concert violinist Itzhak Perlman, who performs later this month, Ibrahim Ferrer and Ruben Gonzalez, made popular thanks to the documentary movie and hugely successful CD "Buena Vista Social Club" and Tap Dogs, an Australian dance group similar to Broadway's "Stomp."

There are some events, however, that many have not heard of before but are still worth the price of a ticket. "Ballet Hispanico," a mix of jazz and ballet, returning to Tucson after three years, is only part of a promising season of dance. Sankai Juku comes Oct. 9 with the contemporary performance show "Hiyomeki" in which hundreds of pounds of sand will be put on stage. Finally, Holly Hughes' "Preaching to the Perverted," one of Centennial Hall's "Voices from the Margins," is a performance art piece in which she confronts her own personal life experiences.

The prices for these shows range from $16 to $62, differing for each show. Most of the events offer student discounts with the CatCard, including some of the Broadway shows. Tickets will not be on sale to public until Sunday, Sept. 12, but that does not mean that demand among students will not be exceedingly high. A good idea is to set your alarm early on Sunday, and head over to 1020 E. University Blvd., or try your luck by ordering tickets over the phone (621-3341). Either way, expect a long wait.