Last week I attended Princess Bride at Red Rocks. (see previous post!)  I left work early, picked up some yummy subs at Fat Jacks, had my slanket, camp chair, bottled water, cash for the over priced beer, camera, iphone and friends and was ready for a fun evening!

Last year we attended breakfast club as our virgin outing to FOTR (as those in the know call it).
We got there and looked at what everyone else was doing, so we could fit in!

No one was sitting on their seats, they were sitting in the space in front of their seats, blankets, pillows etc… It looked like a giant living room – how cool!
We followed suit and made notes on what extra stuff to bring the next time.

This past week at Princess Bride we were ready or as ready as we were going to be since we had to carry everything bout a 1/2 mile or so to the amphitheater.

This time the crowd appeared to be doing a 1/2 and 1/2 seating. Some on their seats, some on the space in front of their seats. It mostly worked out so everyone could see what they needed to see.

We had arrived before the doors opened so we could get a pretty good seat.
Around 8pm other peope arrived and demanded we modify our seating arrangements so they could sit down.
Hmm…  Let me think about that…  no. I was here early, general admission seating and got my seat.
Since there was still a mix of seating I felt no need to make room for someone who in my opinion arrived late.

At one point a set of 4 came and made another couple in front of us move, a gentleman over 6 feet tall who had found a place where he could comfortably sit with his legs out. He ended up looking not so comfortable elsewhere.  This set of 4 moved 2-3 more time and eventually sat directly in front of my companion with no care that her view was now blocked. She had to move up to the seat portion which led to the people behind her having to modify their seating arrangement and so on – a domino effect.

I was annoyed to say the least.

I sent an email to Ron Garrison – General Services Manager. (Kudos to him for taking the time to respond very thoughtfully to my email!)
Hi-lights:

Me: “I was wondering if i could get clarification from you on what the preferred seating methods for film on the rocks is.
Last year most people sat on the floor with their back up against the “seat” portion. That made fun environment, like everyone hanging out on the living room floor with their pillows and blankets!”

Ron: ” Thank you for your email and the chance to give you our position.  We have had many complaints from people who purchased tickets and could not find a place to sit.  The fire and paramedics were also distressed by the people who had no place to sit but on the stairs.

There were less tickets sold than seats in the amphitheater, but patrons who “sprawl” and take more than one seat are becoming an increasing problem – particularly on a popular show like The Princess Bride.  When asked, some will make room for others, many will not.  Sitting in front of the seat and stretching ones legs out in front takes at the very minimum two seats.  If the patron takes two seats in their own row and stretches out to the seats in front, then they are taking up four seats.  Clearly this is unfair to others who pay the same price for tickets. Therefore we ask that you sit in your seat.  In the pre-recorded announcements before the show, this is one point that is requested of the audience.  A ticket to a show entitles you to one seat and one seat only. Although there are 8448 seats in the amphitheatre, for future shows we will stop selling at 7500 and declare the show “Sold Out.”
“

Basically I bantered back and forth on a couple more points with Ron and he was kind enough to take the time to respond in kind! With the final outcome being
“Bottom line is one ticket-one seat.    As romantic as the concept of “giant living room” is, we just can’t operate that way. “

I will abide by the rules now that i am aware of them when I go to Ghostbusters in August.  I am thinking the environment will no longer be as much fun as it was. I also hope they (Red Rocks Staff) make a bigger effort the enforce the rules – which need to be done from gate opening…  Trying for force everyone onto their “seats” at 8pm it just too late in the game – especially with the mixed seating that occurs.

See you there, and remeber to sit in your seat!