Although The Really Useful Company's Third National Touring Company of Phantom Of The Opera won't reach Sacramento's Community Center Theatre until May 29, 1997, mail order tickets and group sales went on sale Sunday, Oct. 27, with tickets ranging $16.50-$65. No cast has been announced for the engagement (arriving fresh from a stint in Green Bay, WI), which will open officially June 1 and run to June 29, 1997. Special mail order forms were published in the local dailies this past weekend, but they're also available at the Music Circus/Broadway Series Box Office (1419 H St., Sacramento) or by calling (916) 557-1999. Tickets carry a $4 service charge, and it's recommended that customers select three choices for performance date. There will also be a "Music Of The Night" gala on May 31 to benefit Sacramento Light Opera's Educational Outreach Program.

Phantom Of The Opera world-premiered in London Oct. 9, 1986 at Her Majesty's Theatre, where it won both the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical. The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical opened on Broadway Jan. 26, 1988 at the Majestic Theatre and continues playing there to sold-out houses. The show won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.