Publication: The Arizona Republic [US]
Date: April 25, 1997
Section: Front
Page Number(s): A1
Length: 589 Words
Title: "Purple Palace Surprise"
Written By: Randy Cordova

Here's a show that's appropriate for the Purple Palace: The Artist Formerly Known as Prince will perform at the America West Arena. In typical TAFKAP fashion, there are some quirks:

Tickets go on sale at 2 p.m. Saturday. The concert is at 8 p.m. Monday.

That is not a misprint.

"That's just the way they're doing it," said Danny Zelisko, the promoter bringing in the enigmatic superstar.

"I never stopped and asked why. He's doing dates sporadically, and this is what they gave us."

The last-minute maneuvering earlier this week caught Zelisko and his Evening Star Productions by surprise.

"It's some extra work, but when you get the opportunity to work with someone like this, you take it," he said.

The show by the Purple Rain star is designed to be an intimate affair, Zelisko said. When he first got word about the possibility of a concert, he checked on Gammage Auditorium and Symphony Hall. Neither was available.

"We said to his people, 'How about the Purple Palace?' " Zelisko said. "That lit up some light bulbs when they heard the word 'purple' "

To give the show a smaller feeling than a typical arena event, the show will be presented in what is called "The Purple Palace Theatre," which means upper-tier seats will not be sold, and a portion of the arena will be curtained off. The theater format was used in 1995 concerts by the Manhattan Transfer and Mary Chapin Carpenter.

"It's wonderful," said Susan Kricun, an account executive who handles publicity for the arena.

"It provides you with a little more intimate setting, but still with the acoustics and comfort the arena is known for. I can't think of a better place for the show."

The smaller format means only 6,500 tickets will be sold for the show, which could lead to a scramble for seats. TAFKAP scowls at so-called ticket brokers, however, and a distribution system is planned to discourage scalpers.

Seats will go on sale Saturday at 2 p.m. at the arena box office and Zia Record Exchange stores. Once tickets go on sale, customers need to present their driver's licenses. They'll receive a voucher that they will need to bring to the arena box office Monday to exchange for tickets. To receive the tickets, a voucher and a driver's license must be shown. No photo ID, and you're out of luck. Blame it on TAFKAP.

"Apparently, he gets sick at the thought of anyone charging more than face value for a ticket," Zelisko said. "He just didn't want that happening."

There is a four-ticket limit for people who buy in person. A two-ticket limit is imposed on people who buy tickets over the phone, and they must present a credit card and photo ID to claim tickets. All seats are $40, and seating will be general admission. Arena doors open at 6 p.m. on show day and concert goers must enter the building as soon as they get their tickets.

What about the whiplash-inducing turnaround, from on-sale date to day of show? It's enough to make the harried promoter wish it was already 1999.

"The only other time I remember doing that is with some nightclub shows," Zelisko said. "Bon Jovi one time, Nine Inch Nails once, Kiss before they put the makeup back on."

The frantic pace that TAFKAP has set may be wearing out Zelisko and company, but he enjoys it.

"It definitely breaks up the old doldrums," he said.

Another decree that TAFKAP has set up for this show: A portion of proceeds from ticket sales is earmarked for Love 4 One Another Charities, an agency he established to benefit underprivileged children and people in need nationwide.