We had a party of 6 attending the Black Nativity show and purchased tickets online and received assigned seating. 2 people was able to slip just before the show started. I waited for the other 3 to park their cars and was told by the front check-in staff that our seats were at the back of the theatre, very last row at the back, and we should be able to slip in late.
As the rest of the party arrived, we were then told that the show was sold out and our seats were given away to standing ticket holders because we were late! We have never heard of such a poor customer service policy. I argued with the front check-in person that we paid for assigned seating, how could you give away our seats. Even if we arrived late and if slipping in is rude, at intermission, we would still not get our seats back. We watched another couple being told the same thing and they asked for a refund. But half our party was already watching the show, so what are we going to do, not participate. We were escorted to a section of the theatre where we stood and watched the 1st half of the show.
At intermission, we found 2 that got seated and they had held our seats for us. I asked them did any official theatre staff tell you that our seats had to be given away. They said no, just regular people asking if the seats were taken. So for the 1st half of the show, we stood while our assigned seats were empty and waiting for us to sit in them. We were all confused and didn't enjoy the 1st half of the show - the seated members were concerned that something bad happened to us and the unseated members were pissed at the unheard of poor customer service of giving away paid for assigned seats.
The Black Nativity show was excellent and being together with our entire family/friend party for the 2nd half of the show improved our experience greatly. If the rumors are correct that they are moving the show to another theatre, thank god, cause we will never see another show at the Intiman Theatre again.
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