European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 26, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Story and photos by Randy Pruitt staff writer in Oberammergau the drama begins offstage it s 5 . In the storybook Village of Oberammergau four hours before the curtain opens on the stage of the world s most famous passion play and already a drama is unfolding. Dieter Buhler an Exchange student from Durban South Africa is standing in the Box office line. He s hoping for a Miracle of sorts. He wants to buy a ticket to the sold out performance Buhler in t alone nor was he first on the scene. Ahead of him is an elderly German Man with a Cane waiting patiently in the folding chair he brought along. Slowly about 50 others queue up in front of the ticket Bureau that does t open until 8 am most Wear Light jackets to Ward off the chill of the Crisp bavarian Alpine air. All know that the Chance of getting a seat is a wild Gamble entirely unpredictable. Still they do have a prayer. Enter the cast of off stage characters a a tour company rumoured to turn in a Block of tickets from no shows a the stray elderly men and women who May feel too tired or ill to sit through the Svi hour production. A the ticket scalpers Leo Schultheis of Evansville ind., has arrived with his options open he and Bob Wittges his first Cousin Are standing about 10 people deep behind Buhler. They be come to Germany to visit their Grandfather s Village but the passion play was a temptation just too Good to pass up. The previous Day they paid 40 Marks $24 each for tickets to the second half of the performance. Now they want to see the rest from beginning to end. Quot it s powerful stuff Quot Schultheis says citing Jude Christian culture i want to have the experience of walking through that spiritual part of  when the Box office window opens Only one ticket is available. It is snatched up by the first inline German. About 20 minutes later another ticket appears Buhler gets it. He s elated Quot it s the Chance of a lifetime and i m Here for Only one year Quot he says. It also appears to be the last of the tickets before the morning performance begins. The tour bus no shows were apparently just a Rumor. Schultheis Steps out of line and raises two fingers in the air. Quot do you have two tickets to Selli Quot someone asks misinterpreting his intentions. Schultheis shakes his head. Quot i want to buy two tickets Quot he announces loudly it s fifteen minutes to show time. From out of nowhere four american women appear with four tickets to sell. They approach Schultheis an american Serviceman quickly moves in and the theatre of the marketplace is enacted inspired by Supply demand economics. They huddle closely. There is momentary continued on Page 12 South african Dieter Buhler waited nearly four hours in front of the ticket office. Juty 26, 1990 stripes Magazine 11