Suit 'N sues over 'N Sync show
By Nancy Carr
STAFF WRITER
Class action suit: Northbrook mom and daughter drove 6 hours, never got to see Route 66 concert
JOLIET — A disgruntled Northbrook mother filed a class-action lawsuit on Friday against teen rock group 'N Sync, Joliet's Route 66 Raceway and concert promoters MCY Music World Inc. and SFX Marketing Inc. The suit was filed in Chicago "on behalf of Mrs. (Pierre) Petrich and all the other people who were basically prevented from seeing the concert that they bought tickets for," said Chicago attorney Clinton Krislov, who represents Petrich. According to Krislov, Petrich bought two tickets for the concert — one for herself and one for her daughter, Alyssa, for her ninth birthday. The pair left their Northbrook home at about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, the day of the concert and arrived at the Joliet venue, some 50 miles away, at 10:15 p.m. The concert ended at 10:30.
"After a six-hour journey, to find out it's all over, it's not fair," Krislov said. Petrich and her daughter were two of possibly hundreds who got tied up in traffic on their way to the sold-out concert. WMAQ-TV reported Friday that at least eight cars had to be towed because they ran out of gas or their transmissions burned out as they inched their way toward Route 66 Raceway, south of Joliet.
Petrich paid just under $100 for the two tickets and didn't even make it to her seat before the concert ended. Now, she, her lawyer and, maybe, other thwarted concert-goers want someone to take responsibility for the traffic foul-up that kept them from seeing the band. And they're not letting the five teen heart-throbs off the hook, either. "It's the band's responsibility, too," Krislov said. "They owe it to their fans that they don't just rip off a bunch of money from a bunch of fans. If bands don't make sure fans can get (to concerts), promoters might not do it either." The case still has to be certified by the court as a class action, which Krislov said he expects to happen next week. He advised that people who want to join the suit should retain their tickets or their proof of purchase and make notes of their experience. He said the fans' recovery has yet to be determined, but it may include refunding their money or presenting another concert. "We understand the track considers this a to be a learning experience," said Krislov, noting that the track has only presented a few concerts. "If it's a learning experience, there's going to be expensive tuition." Plaintiff Petrich could not be reached for comment. Nat Handler, director of marketing for Route 66 Raceway, gave a terse "no comment" about the suit. He said track general manager Joie Chitwood was out of town.
Nancy Carr can be reached at (815) 729-6172 or via e-mail at nancy.carr@copleypress.com. WMAQ-TV provided background information for this story.