Booking Agent's Exits Raise Complaints

Ticket Buyers Want Refunds, Answers

Stephen H. Nacht had purchased tickets for his family and friends to see "The Producers" at the Warner Theatre. His son, Brad, was appearing in the production, and this was his hometown stop.

But the show never arrived. Nacht found out about the cancellation from his son. Now Nacht is out $1,300 and has been waiting for his refund for the show from Baci Management, a theatrical booking agent, since November, when the show was scheduled.

Nacht is not the only one wondering what happened.

The Virginia attorney general, the Virginia Office of Consumer Affairs, the Maryland attorney general and the Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland are looking into complaints against Baci. The Baltimore company had promised productions to theaters in Maryland and Virginia, as well as the District. But few of the shows materialized. The Virginia consumer office has 24 complaints. The Virginia attorney general's office received one letter claiming a group in an apartment complex had lost $7,000. In Maryland, the attorney general has received 14 complaints. The state's Better Business Bureau has had more than 40 complaints.

Right now the marquee of the Warner is supposed to be advertising a "Cabaret" production opening Tuesday. But the production is another casualty of a Baci pullout. (The current production of "Cats" is on the marquee now.)

"Cabaret" was part of a package called Broadway Under the Stars that Baci offered to Warner Theatre subscribers, with promised productions of "Aida," "Sweet Charity," "The Producers" and "Chita Rivera: A Dancer's Life." Some productions were canceled at the last minute, others with a week or so notice. Of the five shows from Baci scheduled for the downtown theater, none was produced.

The intertwining relationships among the theaters, the producers, the booking agents, and national tours of short runs -- called the "bus and truck" tours -- are a staple for many theaters in the area.

The Warner, for example, rents its seats to road shows, one-night musical acts and other entertainment. A company of independent producers puts together the shows, judging what is popular and putting the cast together. A booking agency, like Baci, makes a deal with the producers, puts together a package of shows and then leases the theater. The tickets can be sold through the organizers, a specialty agent like Ticketmaster, or right at the theater's box office.

In some cities, this is the only chance to see a Broadway show, although many of the stars from the New York run will be replaced with lesser-known actors.

Networks Productions, a producing company based in Columbia, Md., had a good working relationship with Baci until this year. "We did business with them for years and years," said Ken Gentry, founder of Networks. But last year Baci backed out of a production of Matthew Bourne's "Swan Lake."

"They called and said they couldn't do it -- they could not play the dates. This is not something you do in our business," Gentry said.

Because he had worked with Baci for 20 years, Gentry considered a proposal that Baci make up its shortfall later. Networks booked "Sweet Charity" and "The Producers" at the Warner. When Networks didn't get the contract documents from Baci, they realized the shows weren't going to happen.

The "Swan Lake" cancellation cost Networks $500,000. The newer cancellations cost an additional $1.2 million. Gentry says his company hasn't filed legal action. "We still may do that. But is it worth spending a great deal of attorney money when there is no money?" Gentry said.

The Baci company, which has had a mixed record with producers, publicists, advertising outlets and theaters, has not presented its side of the story. Nicholas Litrenta, its president, did not return repeated phone calls. His lawyer did not return messages asking for comment. The phone at the Baci office in Baltimore now has an automated message saying the phone is "temporarily disconnected."

Litrenta has not been in touch with the theaters, said Marks Chowning, the executive director of the Hippodrome in Baltimore who also acted as a spokesman for the Warner.

John Starr, the director of booking for Big League Theatricals, a booking and production company in New York, is also trying to contact Litrenta -- and looking for $1.2 million he lost on shows this season.

"I never had a problem with Baci before," Starr said. He said he has not heard from Litrenta or his representatives. "If I heard he had shown up in Brazil, I wouldn't be surprised. If I heard he was holed up in his house in Baltimore, I wouldn't be surprised."

Sandy Richmond, executive director of the Lyric Opera House in Baltimore, faced a similar series of cancellations. Five of its Baci bookings were canceled. Richmond said the Lyric is giving credit to those who bought tickets through Ticketmaster. He also has not heard from Baci management.

In Norfolk, after cancellations by Baci, the city decided last week to go ahead and present three of the shows by entering into its own contracts with the touring companies.

The D.C. office of the attorney general has not received any complaints about the company, said a spokeswoman.

Dina M. Gold, a Washington labor lawyer, bought two tickets for four shows at the Warner. After they were canceled, she contacted Baci and was told to return tickets for two shows. She has not received a refund. She heard from Litrenta weeks ago that she would receive a refund by the middle of February but has not received any check or any more correspondence.

She's out $522.50. Gold filed a complaint with the Maryland attorney general and the state's Better Business Bureau. "It obviously doesn't include all the interest Baci had the opportunity to earn on my money, and that of the other subscribers," she said.

Some worry about the impact of the Baci debacle on the audiences.

"We understand a lot of theaters are going to make good on the tickets," Gentry said. "This kind of situation rarely happens, but when it happens, it gives a black eye to the industry."