I Won!

2010 Elliot Norton Award: Best Director Midsize Company

for Adding Machine: A Musical

SpeakEasy Stage is up and running with the 2009-2010 season.  Every time I try to type 2009-2010 it goes like this:

1. 2009            Ok so far,

2. 2009 - 200   um…

3. 2009 - 20    backspace,

4. 2009 - 2010    sigh.

First show: The Savannah Disputation.  First Globe Review.  First photos.

William Daniel Melone,

Update: They’re done.  10 mil in debt and property valued at only 5 mil, the board of North Shore pulled the plug.

Please let “Too Big to Fail” apply here: the largest non-profit theatre in New England has hit the skids.

Boston Globe Article: New funds or curtains for North Shore Music Theatre

Yesterday afternoon the phone started ringing with rumors that North Shore management called an all-staff meeting with with dire news of layoffs and possible closing. North Shore helped SpeakEasy Stage Co. with our production of Caroline or Change by Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori.  NSMT  helped bring the show to Boston and supported us with assistance in marketing, inviting their very large subscription base to venture out to see the show.  Caroline was a banner show for SpeakEasy, a success that showed our little company could fill our new home at the Roberts Theatre.

I don’t get out to Beverly very often, and the last NSMT production I saw was “Abysynnia” the musical staged downtown at the Wilbur theatre, as it opened right after the tragic fire that destroyed North Shore’s stage.  The piece was a well done, achingly earnest story of a girl who rebuilds her spirit after a soul-crushing event.  North Shore held up their end of the bargain to their subscribers, hiring busses to meet patrons at the parking lot of the ruined theatre in Beverly and driving them downtown.

Let’s hope the patrons, businesses, and government on the North Shore repay the Music Theatre in kind, contributing the money needed to keep them around for another fifty five seasons.

I got the press release in my e-mail at work this morning, click to read the whole thing.

For Immediate Release                                                 

     Contact:  Carol LaRosa

December 29, 2008                                                     

                                    978-232-7235

NORTH SHORE MUSIC THEATRE

ON VERGE OF CLOSING ITS DOORS,

LOOKS TO PUBLIC FOR SUPPORT

( Beverly , MA ) - The not-for-profit North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT), faced with reality of the current economic crisis, announced today that without immediate philanthropic support it will close its doors after 55 years of providing performing arts and educational programming to millions.  The Theatre’s leadership is urging the public to show its support by purchasing tickets to the remaining 13 performances of Disney High School Musical 2, which runs through January 11th. Additionally, philanthropic gifts can be made via the Theatre’s secure website at www.NSMT.org or through the Box Office at 978-232-7200.

Effects of the crumpling economy, lower than expected donations and ticket sales all season long have left the theatre unable to cover its operating costs - a national decade-long trend that is impacting theaters across the country. Further compounding the problem is debt that resulted from a devastating fire in 2005 that forced the theatre to make a major investment in its facilities.

The theatre entered 2008 with a balanced budget that trimmed $1 million in expenses, but its projected revenue from tickets sales has fallen critically short of the goal. Over the last several months, the theatre’s leadership has been focused on devising strategies that would keep the theatre alive and well, including the development of a new business model for the performance season, a possible land sale, and philanthropic outreach.  Despite efforts by NSMT to reduce operating expenses and streamline business practices over the last several years, the severity and speed of the economic downturn has outpaced the theatre’s ability to restore its economic health. Employees have been notified of lay offs effective January 11, 2009 , when the theatre ends its performance season.

“We had been making solid progress on all fronts, however, with the economic situation so dire, we’ve run out of time,” says David Fellows, Chairman of NSMT’s Board. “To keep the doors open, we need an immediate infusion of nearly a half-million dollars by the end of January and overall support of as much as $4 million by late spring to secure programming for next season. We are hopeful that our friends and supporters can help save this phenomenal cultural resource and we are appealing for widespread support.”

“Our non-profit cultural organizations belong to the public,” adds Anita Walker, executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

“It is our collective responsibility to support them, buying tickets, making contributions, volunteering. Institutions like North Shore Music Theater enrich our lives. They enthrall and inspire our children. They contribute to the local economy.  They make each community a better place to live.”

Currently, the theatre is in the midst of its final performance of the season, Disney High School Musical 2. Despite the blockbuster success of last year’s showing of Disney High School Musical, ticket sales for the sequel have been far lower than expected, selling at about the same rate as last year’s A Christmas Carol.  However, if between now and the last performance, every seat is sold, NSMT would have an additional $400,000 in revenue - enough to continue operations while additional fundraising efforts are employed.

“We need our collective community to come together in support of this theatre,” says Barry Ivan , NSMT’s Artistic Director and Executive Producer. “We’re appealing to the public to help us keep this artistic jewel alive. Every dollar contributed would be an investment in our ability to carry out the financial and creative strategies we believe will ensure the theatre’s future.”

Operating since 1955, NSMT has evolved into the largest non-profit producing theater in New England , with approximately 350,000 patrons annually.  NSMT has gained a national and regional reputation for artistic achievement, specifically in the areas of developing new works and providing outstanding theater arts and education programs.  NSMT has received numerous industry awards including IRNE Awards, the Elliot Norton Award, the Rosetta Le Noire Award from Actors’ Equity, and the Moss Hart Award.  NSMT annually produces a six musical subscription series and an acclaimed concert series. With its celebrated Theater for Young Audiences program, a school touring program, and year-round classes for children, NSMT has become one of the region’s leading providers of theater arts and education.

My grandfather (I share his name), passed away on August 12th. He was professional creative artist, a man for whom art and aesthetics were inseparable from daily life, who also conceived, planned, and brought to life many big projects in his community. You can tell by this brief epitaph that he gave me more than just his name. Here’s both of us after a performance of Little Dog Laughed last winter at SpeakEasy Stage.

We at SpeakEasy had our annual fundraising bash last Tuesday, the 18th, and invited Willian Finn as an honored guest.  He came and was brilliant.  That is all.

My current directing project at SpeakEasy Sage Co. This one is in the larger of the two theatres in the Calderwood Pavilion, the gorgeous 350 seat Virginia Wimberly Theatre. Thanks to Mike Lovett for the photo of actress Maureen Keiller looking lovely as she plays the role of Diane.

Currently in production for this year’s Christmas Celtic Sojourn.