July 29, 2005 -

Ottawa, Canada -- The National Arts Centre is delighted to announce that ticketholders seated in the first three rows of Southam Hall, or rows BB, CC and DD, will get to see the show after all, thanks to the hard work and painstaking efforts of the Mamma Mia! company.

In order to make sure those ticketholders would not have to miss Mamma Mia!, the company has reconfigured the show so that the musicians will now move from the orchestra pit to a new location – the “trap room” under the stage.

“We are just thrilled, and terribly thankful to Mamma Mia! for taking the time and energy out of their already overwhelming schedule to do this, in order that those affected patrons could see the show,” said Bob Asselin, director of patron services for the NAC.

This unprecedented solution was devised by Mamma Mia! and its live orchestrain order to restore a majority of the seating that had been removed. Mamma Mia! was unaware of any seating issues in advance of arriving in Ottawa, and the relocation of the show's band has required stage crews working around the clock and additional company rehearsals in order to restore the pit seating as quickly as possible.

"Everyone associated with Mamma Mia! has very graciously assisted us in alleviating this problem which was not of the show’s making and we are deeply appreciative," comments Shana Levin, General Manager Broadway in Ottawa, Clear Channel Entertainment.  "I also want to extend heartfelt thanks to the entire staff of the National Arts Centre.  They've worked tirelessly under difficult circumstances to accommodate our patrons."

Both the National Arts Centre and Clear Channel Entertainment have apologized to our patrons for the inconvenience of the ticketing error affecting rows BB, CC and DD that occurred earlier this week, and have worked diligently to find solutions. Since the show opened on Tuesday night, we have relocated dozens of ticketholders to other seats, established extra seating, offered full refunds to those who could not see the show, and offered complimentary tickets to upcoming NAC productions.

The following is the process affected ticketholders should follow:

• Ticketholders who have tickets for seats in the first three rows of Southam Hall for upcoming performances of Mamma Mia! should come to the NAC as planned. Those ticketholders must report to the box office in order to re-activate their tickets. We will relocate a small number of patrons whose view is obstructed by the conductor to comparable seats.

• Anyone who was contacted earlier in the week and missed the show on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday will be contacted in the upcoming days in order to make arrangements, either for seeing a complimentary performance of Mamma Mia! in our “extra seating” areas, or another complimentary upcoming NAC performance, subject to availability.

• Ticketholders who have accepted refunds for upcoming performances who want to re-purchase their original tickets will also be contacted by the NAC box office. If you have not been contacted, please come to the box office or phone 947-7000 ext. 274.

For all performances, all ticketholders with seats in rows BB, CC and DD must report to the box office, and should arrive 30 minutes prior to curtain. 

If patrons have any questions they may contact the National Arts Centre box office at 947-7000 ext. 274.

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For more information:
Mary Gordon, Communications Advisor
National Arts Centre
(613) 947-7000, ext. 524
Cell: (613) 614-3877

Shana Levin
General Manager, Clear Channel Entertainment Theatrical Canada
(416) 923-0330, ext. 255