Center’s Policy ‘Elitist’

The Times’ editorial of Feb. 14 (“Let Arts Center Be Impresario, Not Czar”) gave me further reason to write about an experience with the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

I am a native Southern Californian who recently returned to this area in retirement and immediately joined the Laguna Hills Philharmonic Committee, which entails a contribution to OCPAC.

Now, I am appalled at the center and its designated ticket outlet for refusing to sell any but the higher-priced tickets over the telephone.

Not only was I unable to purchase $20 tickets for “The Marriage of Figaro” over the telephone, despite a plethora of reputable credit cards, but I was forced to drive from Leisure World to the center to buy tickets.

In more than 40 years as both a volunteer and professional employee in the performing-arts field, I have applauded efforts to make the arts less elitist as basic to their survival.

I have been able to charge tickets of any price via telephone at Lyric Opera in Chicago and Portland Opera in Oregon. Why this price discrimination in Orange County?

And now OCPAC refuses to permit the performance of anything other than classical music? My, aren’t we elitist!

I wonder what kind of fund raising will have to be undertaken to keep the center afloat!

JOAN FOSTER NUGENT

Laguna Hills