Off Duty Travel, Clear Channel Offer Discount Broadway Tickets

By Tim Hipps
Special to American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2005 - Military personnel can now access discount-priced tickets to Broadway shows without being part of a tourist group.

Off Duty Travel and Clear Channel Entertainment have joined forces to offer priority access to Broadway and off-Broadway shows in New York and other select cities for Morale, Welfare and Recreation customers.

MWR patrons, including those affiliated with the Coast Guard, can visit www.offdutytravel.com for information about the program and click on the "Broadway Shows & Broadway Touring Shows" link on the left.

"For years, military communities have responded enthusiastically when offered the opportunity to purchase tickets for touring Broadway shows, as well as filling spaces on occasional group tours to New York City, where show tickets are a big part of the reason for going," said Dan Yount, chief of Leisure Travel Services at the U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center.

Clear Channel periodically will determine the best shows available and place them on its EventUsher.com system, allowing MWR patrons access to tickets for marquee shows before they become scarce.

Traditional shows will be featured during holidays and peak periods. Other shows will be added to the Web site as tickets become available.

The July 7 performance of Disney's "Tarzan the Broadway Musical" at Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York is the first play offered in the MWR program. It's the tale of an infant stranded by shipwreck on the west shore of Africa and reared by a tribe of gorillas. When Tarzan eventually encounters his first human -- Jane Porter, a curious young explorer -- both their worlds are transformed forever, according to Disney's promotions.

MWR offices are responsible for distributing tickets, so it's important for MWR patrons to list their location in the system's appropriate field. A $4 per ticket processing fee will be charged, but shipping is free. A portion of the proceeds will benefit MWR.

If the dates and shows desired do not appear on the Web site, customers can make requests by e-mail to NYGroups@clearchannel.com. If sufficient interest is expressed in particular shows and dates, Clear Channel officials said, they will attempt to make tickets available.

The theater program eventually is planned to expand into more venues.

"In the future, the Web site will post availability for touring Broadway shows coming to local venues such as Baltimore; Washington, D.C.; San Antonio and many other cities located close to military installations," Yount said.

(Tim Hipps is assigned to the United States Army Community and Family Support Center public affairs office.)

Related Site:

U.S. Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation [http://www.armymwr.com/portal/travel/travelresources/]

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