A scene from CCC's production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
The Coffeyville Community College Theatre program knew "Disney’s Beauty and the Beast" would be popular as this year's spring musical selection. What they didn’t know is just how popular it would be.
Each night, crowds lined up at least an hour before the doors opened in hopes of getting a seat to the show. Unfortunately, with seating to accommodate 337 each night, over 500 community members, faculty and staff were turned away during the three nights. CCC Theatre Director Ryan Mahannah said, “We simply ran out of room for everyone. The last thing we want to do is turn folks away. When we realized we had an issue on opening night, we checked with the cast and orchestra to see if we could add a Saturday or Sunday matinee performance. Unfortunately, because it was last minute, several of the performers were simply not available.”
In an effort to alleviate the issue in the future, a ticketing system will be utilized in hopes of providing a stress free experience for guests. Admission to the shows will remain free.
“This is my first year as the CCC Theatre Director. The support from the community and CCC family is more than I would ever hope it to be," said Mahannah. “As a program, it is our goal to provide an enjoyable experience for those supporting us. We believe this new ticketing system will correct the issues of our latest performance.”