Following two Disney theatrical disappointments (Mary Poppins and Tarzan), group-sales ticket agents are wary to get their feet wet with The Little Mermaid, the next Disney extravaganza, which will debut in Denver.

According to a New York Post story, hundreds of ticket agents were treated to a "sneak peek" of The Little Mermaid last week but have declined to fast-grab tickets until "they see its out-of-town tryout in Denver in July."

Group-sales ticket agents are the ones who drive a show's early ticket sales. "They propelled advance sales for Tarzan to $15 million and Mary Poppins to $20 million," according to The Post.

The Little Mermaid, budgeted at more than $15 million, is scheduled to open on Broadway this fall. The show's out-of-town tryout opens July 26 for a seven- week run at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Single tickets go on sale Sunday.

"Disney isn't responding to any of (The Post story) at this time," said Jen Schiavone, spokeswoman for Denver Center Attractions, which is bringing Mermaid here.

"But I can tell you that we go on sale with single tickets on Sunday and are anticipating gangbuster sales."

Schiavone also said DCA has sent out "priority offers" to buy tickets before the general public and has had a "huge response."

The show, based on the 1989 movie about Ariel, a mermaid who dreams of living on land, will star Denver native and George Washington High grad Sierra Boggess.

The sets will be made of Plexiglas to give the sense of being underwater, and actors will race around the stage in Heelys, sneakers with wheels, according to the story in The Post.

STILL SINGLE: Travis Stork, the emergency room doc looking for love on The Bachelor: Paris, is alive, well, single and living in Breckenridge, according to a Web posting by Vanderbilt University, where Stork spent his residency.

He took two months off from the Nashville, Tenn., medical school to search for his lady love among 25 contestants in the hit ABC reality series. In the final episode, Stork chose Sarah Stone, a native of Jackson, Tenn., but that relationship never went further than friendship. He moved to Colorado in July.

DOUBLE DATES: Double Grammy winner John Mayer will do double duty during June 15 and 16 concerts at Red Rocks. Mayer's Continuum Summer Tour will feature guest Ben Folds. Members of Mayer's fan club can get tickets beginning at 10 a.m. Friday (sign up online at local-83.com). Tickets for the general public go on sale at 10 a.m. March 24.

Also, Daft Punk makes a Denver stop July 31 at Red Rocks during the band's first North American tour in nearly 10 years. More at: myspace.com/daftpunk

FREE FRAY: Video segments of local heroes The Fray are now showing on The FrayTV, a Web TV channel that was launched by ManiaTV.com. Webcasts will include updates from the road, including a peek into the lives of band members on tour. Catch The Fray in the UK segments at maniatv.com/tv/TheFrayTV.

EAVESDROPPING on a mom and her son: "My friends are having a craft night."

"As in cheese?"

Penny Parker's column appears Tuesday through Saturday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-AM (630). Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail parkerp@RockyMountainNews.com.