Category: theatre

“From major theaters such as Canada’s Stratford Shakespeare Festival to small companies such as the Barnstormers Theatre in bucolic Tamworth, N.H., uncertain economic times have forced theaters across North America not only to re-examine what they are putting on stage this summer – and beyond – but how to sell these plays and musicals as well.”

“Walking through New York’s Theater District earlier this week, I was startled by the sight of more than a dozen dark theaters or posters advertising final performances. … By the end of July, 19 of the district’s 39 houses (49 percent) will be empty at a time when the city is abuzz with tourists looking for somewhere to spend their entertainment dollars.”

“Robert J. Orchard, executive director of the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Mass., since it was founded in 1970, will step down at the end of the company’s 2008-09 season. The ART vet will stay on as special adviser to help incoming artistic director Diane Paulus launch her inaugural season and provide support during the leadership transition.”

“Negotiations on redundancies are under way at Ireland’s national theatre, the Abbey, as funding cuts and the economic downturn force budgetary belt-tightening. More than 25 jobs may be cut, mainly from the 120 administrative staff, according to an Abbey spokeswoman, and it is hoped the redundancies will be voluntary.”

“Off Broadway business generated a citywide economic impact of $461.3 million during the 2007-08 season, according to a report from the Off Broadway Alliance. Tickets sales hit $173.02 million, according to the report, from 5.47 million ducats sold. The OBA … compiled the data for use as a tool in advocating for and promoting the Off Broadway scene.”

“Do we allow our rights to be violated (photography, filming and audio taping of performances is illegal) or tolerate rudeness by members of the audience who feel they have the right to sit in a dark theater, texting or checking their e-mail while the light from their screens distract both performers and the audience alike? Or, should I stand up for my rights as a performer as well as the audiences I perform for?”

“There’s no shortage of shows about cultural and political issues in New York these days. … But wouldn’t it be novel if, every once in a while, a show did more than reaffirm what theater people know to be the absolute truth? Well, hold on to your WNYC tote bags. In the works are two plays written by — eek! — conservatives, although whether the Obama-mad New York theater establishment will ever produce them remains to be seen.”

“Drama’s apparent side-stepping of the recession is not quite what it seems: in fact, the true nature of this renaissance is deeply depressing. … At the moment, there is not a single play in the West End being staged for the first time. Crucially, given that this theatrical busyness is being billed as resistance to the financial crisis, the economics underpinning it are highly suspect.”

No. 13: “If the child you’re bringing is chatty, gag it. If it’s fidgety, handcuff and shackle it. And if you’re altruistic enough to bring a school party to a Shakespeare matinée, threaten potential wrongdoers with tickets to the next revival of Timon of Athens, to be followed by a ten-page essay on the ethics of Apemantus.”

“The current exec director of Off Broadway’s Second Stage Theater, Ellen Richard, will depart her post at the end of the month. No reason was given for the move, and a replacement has not been named. Richard, who has been at Second Stage for three years, leaves as the org has quietly embarked on a capital campaign to fund the $35 million purchase of Broadway’s Helen Hayes Theater.”