Q. My husband recently became wheelchair-bound. I am trying to buy three tickets to "The Lion King" in January for the two of us and our daughter. Ticketmaster said I could only purchase two tickets together — one for the disabled person and one for the caregiver. I don't believe a family of three can't get tickets together just because one is in a wheelchair.
— Carol Paige, Shoreline
A. It appears you were given incorrect information by Ticketmaster. The Paramount Theatre, where Disney's "The Lion King" will play, says there is no limit on the number of tickets that can be purchased together — if available.
That's true whether one of the patrons is disabled or not, said marketing director Terri Hiroshima.
Ticketmaster says it follows the seating policies set by each venue for which it sells tickets.
Hiroshima speculates the Ticketmaster employee may have meant there weren't three seats available on the date you chose in the areas set aside for wheelchair seating. You might have had better luck on a different date.
But after hearing about your situation, she said the theater plans to call Ticketmaster to clarify its seating policies.
The Paramount typically holds unsold seats in wheelchair-accessible sections until just before shows begin, Hiroshima said, rather than opening them up to the general public. But that seating is more limited, so groups needing space for a wheelchair have fewer overall seating options.
Besides calling early for best selection, Hiroshima suggests making an in-person visit to the box office, if possible, to consult with local staff "who know the theater inside and out" and could suggest different options.
Jolayne Houtz, Seattle Times staff reporter
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