Festival Announces Flex Passes for 2016 Season

CEDAR CITY, UT — The Utah Shakespeare Festival will announce its 2016 season July 10 and begin selling tickets to the new season on August 4, but playgoers can purchase a “Festival Flex Pass” now to guarantee the best seats and save money. The new flex passes will ensure early purchase of seats to all the plays in the Randall L. Jones Theatre, as well as those in the new Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre and the new Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre. Flex passes are on sale now.

The Festival Flex Pass has two distinct advantages:

“First,” said Kami Terry Paul, Festival associate communications and marketing director, “a Flex Pass will allow playgoers to purchase tickets for the 2016 season early, from July 30 to August 3, before the general public begins purchasing on August 4.” However, early purchase isn’t required. Passes can be redeemed for tickets anytime before December 2016, for tickets to the 2016 or 2017 season.

Second, the flex passes come with an added, built-in bonus, an additional 10 percent in purchasing power. For instance, a flex pass for $100 will give you $110 worth of tickets when you redeem it.

In addition, the passes can be used along with other discounts,” said Paul. “So you not only get the extra 10 percent in buying power, but you can get other discounts the Festival offers, such as senior discounts and our popular multi-play discounts—and if you purchase early, you get the best seats in the house.”

Flex passes must be purchased at the Ticket Office at the Adams and Randall Theatre or over the telephone (800-PLAYTIX), but can be redeemed for tickets at the Festival website, www.bard.org, as well as in person or on the phone.

“We have an exciting season planned for 2016, with new theatres and the exceptional quality theatre our guests expect from us,” concluded Paul. “We think the Festival Flex Pass is a great way to introduce you to the new theatres and the 2016 season.”

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q. What, simply, is the Festival Flex Pass?
A. The Flex Pass is a simple way to purchase your tickets early, before the play titles are announced, and then redeem the pass for tickets after the season announcement and before the general public can purchase.

Q. What are the advantages of the Flex Pass?
A. First, it essentially reserves your space in line for when the season is announced and tickets go on sale. You can purchase your Flex Pass now and redeem it for tickets from July 30 to August 3, before tickets go on sale to the general public on August 4. If you still aren’t ready during those dates to purchase your tickets, you can redeem the Flex Pass any time through December 2016, you just lose the advantage of purchasing before the general public. Second, the Flex Pass comes with an added, built-in bonus, an additional 10 percent in purchasing power. For instance a Flex Pass for $100 can be redeemed for $110 in tickets. 

Q. When is the Flex Pass available to purchase?
A. It is available now by calling the Ticket Office at 800-PLAYTIX.

Q. When can I redeem my Flex Pass for actual tickets?
A. You may redeem it any time through December 2016, but if you want to the benefit of purchasing before the general public, you will need to redeem it between July 30 and August 3.  

Q. Are there any restrictions on the Flex Pass?
A. The Flex Pass is good for any play, any time, in any of our theatres, including the new Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre and the new Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre. The only restriction is that it can only be redeemed for the best seating available on the date of redemption. It is not a guarantee of seat availability.

Q. How much do the Flex Passes cost?
A. The Flex Pass is available in any whole-dollar amount.

***Q.***But how do I know how much to purchase? What will ticket prices be next season?
A. We are not raising prices for 2016. In fact, all fees will now be included in the ticket price, saving you compared to this year’s total cost. So, if you prefer seats in the orchestra section, on a Friday night, the ticket would cost $50, the same as last year.

Q. But what if I miscalculate or change my mind?
A. When you redeem the Flex Pass for actual tickets, if the tickets are more than the value of your pass, you can simply pay the difference at that time. If the tickets are less than the value of your pass, you can use the balance anytime through December 2016 to purchase tickets for the 2016 or 2017 seasons.

Q. But I don’t even know the dates for the 2016 season. How can I plan my purchases now?
**A.**The Festival just today announced the dates for the season. Preview performances for five plays will begin June 27 and run through July 6. Opening performances for those five will be July 7 through 9. The season will then run through September 24, with some shows closing earlier and others be added in. Those exact dates, and the play titles will be announced July 10.

Q. How do I purchase a Flex Pass?
A. You can purchase them in person at any of our ticket offices or by calling 800-PLAYTIX.