Kelly Hutsell

Delta Gamma’s Michelle Gates, Omaha, Neb., freshman, and Pi Kappa Phi’s Jason Murray, Leawood senior, rehearse for their show, “Double Booked,” Tuesday night in the Lied Center. This year’s Rock Chalk Revue opens at 7 tonight and performances run through Saturday.

Despite several evenings of practice by nine greek organizations for this year’s Rock Chalk Revue, only about a quarter of the available tickets for Friday’s Lied Center show have been sold.

The annual revue is losing Friday night ticket sales to the Big 12 tournament this weekend, said Craig Van Blaricum, Rock Chalk Revue business manager.

The Jayhawks play at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m.

The revue, a variety show to raise money for United Way of Douglas County, is scheduled for Thursday through Saturday nights at the Lied Center.

Only 550 out of 2000 available tickets have been sold for Friday’s show, but about 1,500 tickets have been sold for Saturday’s show.

The Saturday show generates the highest attendance because of the awards ceremony, Van Blaricum, Lawrence graduate student and Beta Theta Pi alum, said.

The event has raised $18,000 from pre-ticket sales.

Wade Carr, executive producer and Wellington senior, said the event produced $40,000 for the United Way last year.

The participating chapters have conducted other fundraisers for Rock Chalk Revue to contribute to the United Way.

About $4,000 were raised through Kansas City Royals ticket sales, a grocery store roundup and a sponsorship from the Hawk, 1340 Ohio St.

Rock Chalk Revue has been a campus tradition for 56 years.

Carr said 23 chapters auditioned last August, but only nine will perform.

“Since the chapters have been back from winter break, they have practiced for an hour every night, including weekends,” Carr said.

Participating chapters in the event practiced at the Lied Center from about 5 p.m. to midnight each night this week.

The theme of the event, “By the Numbers,” represents the hours of community service and the amount of money traditionally raised for the event, Carr said.

Samantha Horner, Gamma Phi Beta member and Leawood senior, said all the preparation should mean a successful show.

Traditionally, acts are produced by two greek organizations. This year, Alpha Gamma Delta is performing its act without a partner.

“We just feel like it’s a good opportunity to bring us together as a chapter,” said Abi Bloxham, Alpha Gamma Delta director and Wichita senior. “It’s fun to be pioneering something new.”

Its act will be a musical murder mystery in a high-society women’s organization. The show is called “Die a la mode.”

Other acts include stories about a news station, a struggling marching band and a squabble in a camp between bird watchers and hunters.

Each act will feature an original song written by the performing group.

Tickets for the shows are $14 on Thursday, $18 on Friday and $20 on Saturday.

Carr said 23 chapters auditioned last August, but only nine will perform.

“Since the chapters have been back from winter break, they have practiced for an hour every night, including weekends,” Carr said.

Participating chapters in the event practiced at the Lied Center from about 5 p.m. to midnight each night this week.

The theme of the event, “By the Numbers,” represents the hours of community service and the amount of money traditionally raised for the event, Carr said.

Samantha Horner, Gamma Phi Beta member and Leawood senior, said all the preparation should mean a successful show.

Traditionally, acts are produced by two greek organizations.

This year, Alpha Gamma Delta is performing its act without a partner.

“We just feel like it’s a good opportunity to bring us together as a chapter,” said Abi Bloxham, Alpha Gamma Delta director and Wichita senior. “It’s fun to be pioneering something new.”

Its act will be a musical murder mystery in a high-society women’s organization. The show is called “Die a la mode.”

Other acts include stories about a news station, a struggling marching band and a squabble in a camp between bird watchers and hunters.

Each act will feature an original song written by the performing group.

Tickets for the shows are $14 on Thursday, $18 on Friday and $20 on Saturday.