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Community Theater Warns of Fraudulent Ticket Sales

Warning sign at the Company Theatre regarding fraudulent ticket sales

Norwell, Massachusetts, August 27, 2025

News Summary

The Company Theatre in Norwell, Massachusetts, has alerted patrons to a rise in fraudulent and overpriced ticket listings on resale websites. Customers have reported arriving at performances with invalid tickets purchased from secondary sites like TicketSales.com. The theater emphasizes the importance of buying tickets only from its official website to avoid scams and inflated prices. Recent complaints to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office highlight the prevalence of misleading resellers and the impact on local arts perception.

Norwell, Massachusetts — A local nonprofit community theater is warning patrons about a rise in fraudulent and overpriced ticket listings on secondary resale websites after several customers arrived at performances with invalid or inaccurate tickets.

What happened

The Company Theatre in Norwell, a nonprofit founded 46 years ago in a church basement and serving thousands of patrons annually, reported that some buyers purchased tickets on resale sites only to discover the tickets were not valid at the door. In multiple cases, resale listings showed seats that no longer exist because rows were removed years ago to create space for a full orchestra, indicating listing inaccuracy.

The theater is urging patrons to purchase tickets only from its official site, CompanyTheatre.com, and has posted warnings on its website and at its box office. The theater’s director conveyed that the organization cannot absorb the cost of replacing tickets for patrons who were targeted by scams and said the situation risks harming public perception of local arts programs.

Notable consumer case and complaints

An example documented in the community involves a Quincy buyer who purchased five tickets from TicketSales.com that were listed at $98 each. After added fees, the total charged reached $666.70. The same seats sold directly through The Company Theatre for $34 each, including fees. The purchaser filed a consumer complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office and later received a refund.

The Attorney General’s office has received 10 complaints about TicketSales.com since January 2024 related to high prices and fees. TicketSales.com identifies itself as a secondary resale marketplace and says sellers set ticket prices; the company also states that it discloses fees during checkout. In one purchase confirmation, the buyer was informed the sale was for “speculative tickets,” a term used when a seller offers tickets they do not yet possess but say they will obtain before the event.

Scope of the problem and resale market practices

The issue of professional resellers selling speculative tickets is reported to be widespread and affects both small community theaters and larger venues in major cities. Other resale platforms show large markups for the same Company Theatre production: one resale site listed tickets at $307 for the same show, while another showed listings as high as $1,064.

Different resale platforms describe their roles in distinct ways. One marketplace states it connects independent sellers with buyers and does not stock tickets itself. Another marketplace highlights a buyer guarantee that promises either venue entry or a full refund, and it enforces policies against speculative ticket listings, including penalties for sellers who violate those rules.

Immediate advice for patrons

  • Buy tickets directly from the theater’s official website, CompanyTheatre.com, or at the theater box office.
  • Be wary of listings that show seats or row numbers that do not match the venue’s current seating chart.
  • Look for language such as “speculative tickets” in confirmations; such listings indicate the seller does not yet own the tickets being offered.
  • If charged unexpectedly high fees or faced with invalid tickets, file a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office and seek a refund through the resale site and your payment provider.

Background on The Company Theatre and recent production

The Company Theatre began in a church basement 46 years ago and has grown into a community fixture that serves thousands of patrons each year. A recent production, The Wedding Singer: The Musical, sold direct box-office tickets for $34 each, including fees. The theater reports that inflated resale prices and fraudulent listings have forced staff to spend time addressing consumer complaints and public trust issues rather than focusing solely on performances.

What local theaters are doing

In addition to public advisories, The Company Theatre and other local venue operators are monitoring resale listings and trying to educate patrons about how to verify legitimate ticket sources. Theaters encourage early purchase from authorized sellers to avoid last-minute scarcity that can make buyers vulnerable to high-priced or speculative listings.

FAQ

How can I be sure I’m buying a valid ticket?

Purchase tickets directly from the venue’s official website or box office. Verify that seat rows and numbers match the venue’s current seating chart and review the purchase confirmation for any indication the seller does not yet own the tickets.

What are speculative tickets?

Speculative tickets are listings where a seller offers seats they do not currently possess and promises to obtain them before the event. These listings carry a higher risk that the seller may not deliver valid tickets.

What should I do if my ticket is invalid?

Report the issue to the venue box office immediately and request assistance. Contact the resale platform for a refund, document your purchase and communications, and consider filing a consumer complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office.

Are resale marketplaces responsible for seller behavior?

Marketplace policies differ. Some marketplaces state that sellers set prices and that marketplaces disclose fees, while others enforce seller penalties and provide buyer guarantees. Consumers should review marketplace policies before purchasing.

How widespread is this problem?

The practice of resellers offering speculative and highly marked-up tickets has been reported across a range of venues, from small community theaters to large city venues. Local theater operators have reported similar incidents in their communities.

Quick reference

Item Details
Official ticket source CompanyTheatre.com or the theater box office
Typical direct price (example) $34 per ticket for The Wedding Singer: The Musical (including fees)
Resale example prices for same show TicketSales.com listing charged $98 per ticket (buyer paid $666.70 for five after fees); other marketplaces showed $307 and $1,064 listings
Attorney General complaints 10 complaints about TicketSales.com received since January 2024
What to check before buying Seller identity, seating chart match, presence of “speculative” language, full fee disclosure
Recommended actions if scammed Contact venue box office, request refund from reseller, document purchase, file complaint with Massachusetts Attorney General

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STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER

BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.

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