Despite a six-month delay, The Phantom of the Opera is right on schedule, and some tickets will be available for purchase starting next Monday.

Phantom, which is directed by Harold Prince and presented by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Theatre Company, Inc., will haunt the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines very early next year.

The original London creative team has been reunited for this national touring production. The limited premiere engagement runs for four weeks, from Jan. 29, 1997, through Sunday, Feb. 23.

Beginning Monday, April 29, mail orders and group sales will be accepted. Ticket prices will range from $16.75 to $61.75.

Special mail-order forms for tickets will be featured in the Sunday, April 38 editions of several Iowa newspapers, including The Des Moines Register, The Cedar Rapids Gazette and The Sioux City Journal; they will also be featured in The Omaha World-Herald.

These forms are also available in person at the Civic CenterBox Office, located at 221 Walnut St., in Des Moines, or by calling 243-0766. They are also available at regional Hy-Vee stores, Iowa’s public libraries and welcome centers.

Customers should send a check, money order or credit card number with expiration date (Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover are accepted) to: Phantom tickets, The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, 221 Walnut, Des Moines, IA 50309-2104.

Customers are asked to list three different choices for performance date, along with the performance time and ticket price. Include a $5 per-order service charge and a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the return of the tickets.

Orders for groups of 20 or more are now being accepted. Call (800) 558-7075, and ask for Terri McIlhon, group sales manager. For more information, call the Phantom Hot Line at (800) 267-3766 (outside Des Moines) or 830-1882 (in the Des Moines area.)