Johns Hopkins Gazette: December 5, 1994


Independent Producer Reneges on Holiday Show

     A touring production of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"
scheduled to be performed at the Homewood campus this month has
been canceled because the producer has failed to pay for the
rental of the hall.
     The production, advertised in at least several editions of
the Sunday Sun this fall, was scheduled for four performances on
Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 12-14, at Shriver Hall auditorium.
     Johns Hopkins had no role in the production other than to
contract to rent the hall to the producer, Kevin Von Feldt of Von
Feldt Enterprises in California. 
     The university notified Von Feldt Dec. 2 it has canceled its
agreement with him because of his company's failure, despite
repeated requests, to pay in full the rental fee for the
auditorium. 
     According to a story that appeared in a Kansas City
newspaper since the Hopkins contract was signed and was relayed
to Hopkins recently, Von Feldt reportedly has a history of being
unable to open productions for which he has advertised and sold
tickets. The Sept. 4 story in the Kansas City Star quoted a Los
Angeles detective as saying he knew of no ticket buyers for an
aborted 1991 series of plays and musicals there who failed to
receive refunds.
     Johns Hopkins spokesman Dennis O'Shea said the university
does not know if Von Feldt's "A Christmas Carol" production has
opened in other cities where it was to play before coming to
Baltimore. He said the university has had no involvement in the
sale of tickets for the show and has no way of knowing how many
have been sold. In one advertisement published in Baltimore, all
seats were listed at $35. In another, ticket prices ranged from
$20 to $35. Both ads promised half-price tickets for children and
seniors and discounts for groups. 
     Both ads listed a toll-free (800) telephone number for
ticket purchases.
     The university said it does not know whether Von Feldt's
company will proceed with its Baltimore performances at another
location. Anyone who used a credit card to purchase tickets may
wish to speak to their credit card company to learn what their
rights are with regard to their purchase.

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