The Show Must Go On! Well...

There’s a familiar slogan in our business that literally everyone knows and almost everyone subscribes to. “The show must go on!” This slogan is helpful when a performer or technician is feeling under the weather and needs an extra boost to rally the energy needed to perform. It also serves well when there is great sadness in the company or the world, and we need an injection of commitment and good will to fortify our hearts before we can bare them before an audience.But there are instances, in my opinion, when the show must not go on if the more responsible decision is to delay an opening or cancel a particular performance.Ticket holders, understandably, hate it when a performance is cancelled. They’ve gone to a lot of trouble to set up their schedules around a particular evening in the theatre, and then they’re asked to go back to their calendars to select a different date and plan their lives all over again. The decision to cancel a performance should always be a last resort.So when is cancellation the best policy? I believe that a performance should be cancelled when the producer believes that:A. doing the performance under existing circumstances would create an unsafe environment for either performer or audience member, and/orB. the performance that could be mustered under existing circumstances falls significantly short of the artistic standards that the theatre has led the audience to expect.

This past weekend I made the tough decision to cancel the Friday student matinee and the Friday Opening Night of The Wizard of Oz at Theatre IV. As much as I am aware of and sorry for the inconvenience that the cancellation caused valued members of our audience, I still believe I made the right call.Wizard is a huge show, and despite everyone’s best efforts, we simply weren’t ready. We faced technical difficulties that posed a significant threat to the physical safety of our cast and crew of approximately 70 theatre artists. We desperately needed several hours of additional rehearsal time to operate a show of this size safely, and the only way to get that rehearsal time was to postpone opening by one day.Within 24 hours of my decision, our wonderful box office staff worked its hardest to personally contact every one of the 800 or so audience members affected. Most audience members were understanding; a few were furious.The request I make of audience members is this. When informed by a reputable theatre that a particular performance has been cancelled, please know that the decision was not made lightly. And consider that being offered the opportunity to switch dates or accept a refund will always be preferable to seeing someone seriously injured on stage, or seeing a show that is simply no good because it isn’t ready to open.When facing these difficult decisions (which I have to do once every 15 or so productions), I will always err on the side of safety and artistic quality. I think that’s the best way to serve our audience responsibly. Only when I know that the workplace is safe and that artistic standards are being respected and maintained will I insist that the show must go on.The good news is that the extra rehearsals we had this morning and this evening for The Wizard of Oz made all the difference in the world. I'm now confident that we'll have a terrific show. And in the end, that's what everyone wants the most.

posted by Bruce Miller at 10:08 PM

Staff Spotlight

Every couple of months we will be throwing a spotlight on the people who really make everything come together for the company. Here is our first Staff Spotlight on some amazing people you may not see on the stage, but are vital in making sure you as an audience recieve a first rate production.

ERIC THOMPSON, Master Electrician

As the Master Electrician for Theatre IV and Barksdale Theatre, Eric is responsible for all electronics used during performances. That means maintaining and repairing equipment, and overseeing the preparation, hanging and connection of stage lighting fixtures.

One of the most interesting things about Eric is his background as an opera singer. His favorite opera that he performed in was Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi. His dream opera is Le Villi by Puccini. We asked Eric how an opera singer ends up as a Master Electrician; his response- "It pays the bills." Hopefully we’ll see Eric onstage again soon, singing his lungs out.

Eric has been happily married for 14 years and has three beautiful children. As a final note, Eric says, "If you happen to be in the Newport News area check out Mitty’s Ristorante for a romantic and delicious night out."

JEANIE RULE, Arts in Education Manager for Theatre IV

Jeanie is best known to Richmond theatre audiences as "Jeanette," the hilarious and feisty piano player in Barksdale Theatre’s production of The Full Monty.

As Arts in Education Manager, Jeanie annually markets and schedules over 900 Theatre IV performances for school assemblies throughout the state serving 300,000 students in grades K - 12. Of all the wonderful programs Jeanie books, she is proudest of administering Theatre IV’s community outreach program, Hugs and Kisses. Hugs and Kisses, co-produced with the Virginia Department of Social Services and Prevent Child Abuse Virginia, is the Commonwealth’s principal good touch, bad touch, and secret touch education program. This program has been seen by over 1,200,000 children and is proven to teach prevention resources and techniques to elementary school children at all grade levels. Over 10,000 elementary school children have been helped immediately after the performances.

During the 2007 – 2008 Season, Hugs and Kisses will celebrate its 25th year of helping Virginia’s children stay safe from child sexual abuse.

Jeanie began her professional career as a singer, traveling the world with the USO. She headlined in hotels and resorts throughout the Pocono and Catskill Mountains and cabarets in NYC.

Jeanie has a BFA in Drama from Ithaca College and an MFA in Acting from Virginia Commonwealth University.

*Information gathered by Catherine Dudley.

Fairy Tale Ball

You’ve heard earlier from our glorious Jennings Whiteway, Theatre IV Event Manager, about this years magnificent Fairy Tale Ball. This is the fourth Ball I have been involved in, and I must say it gets more and more extravagant each year. I can’t even imagine being a child in this wonderland of fun that is erected at the Empire. Everywhere you turn there are games, food, drink, music, and a group of fine people donating their time and talents to the cause of keeping Virginia’s leading Children’s Theatre going strong. An even bigger thanks to all the families that arrived in their best for the evenings festivities.

It’s a beautiful thing to see the bonds and love that get strenthened within families like these. Not to mention the time spent in the theatre with one’s children, showing them what’s most important, THEM.

Now as for all the volunteers, it was definitely not a sacrifice. It is a total blast to get dressed up and bring a smile to everyones face....oh and I did mention the food, yes? Here is a picture of just a few of us from the Theatre IV staff giving a big thanks to all of you out there for your continued support.

Tenth Annual Fairy Tale Ball

I have to say that our Tenth Annual Fairy Tale Ball truly felt like the family event of the season! Where else in town can you go to a black tie event like this AND bring your kids? It’s a fun evening for the whole family. This year’s theme for the event was in conjunction with our season closer, The Wizard of Oz, which gave the designers, Terrie and David Powers lots of decorating ideas. This is the second year that I have planned the event, and I feel that the difference in this year’s and last year’s is world’s different. I had a much better time planning this year after having one year’s experience managing this event, since I had learned the in’s and out’s and had more of an understanding of how things worked. If you haven’t attended the event before, there are several components including a silent and live auction, several children’s activities, a catered buffet, glamorous invitations, a live band and other entertainers. The planning process begins in about October and we work all the way up until the big day. Thanks to the strong committee involvement heading up each of these components with me, our designer and builder, and an amazing staff, we were able to pull off a spectacular event. Theatre IV board member, Suzanne Wishnack Morris, who followed Anne Murphy Doulgas as chair of the event, headed this year’s committee. Both have been a pleasure to work with and I am so grateful to have such dedicated friends and supporters of Theatre IV. Suzanne and I were very pleased with this year’s attendance and fundraising numbers. We had one of the biggest turn out’s in year’s, at about 700 guests, and ended up above our fundraising goal at approximately $120,000. Next year’s date hasn’t been confirmed yet, but we hope everyone will join us again for another fun filled evening themed in conjunction with our 07-08 closer, Peter Pan. If you are interested in volunteering or becoming a corporate sponsor, don’t hesitate to contact me for more information!

Jennings Whiteway, Theatre IV Event Manager

Munchkins in Oz

As Wizard and the Professor, I have a lot of time in between those characters to hang with the kids and their parents in the Little Theatre. I believe the reason we have such wonderful children auditioning for our Richmond, Va shows is a direct reflection of the great fun that is the Fairy Tale Ball. Where else can kids and parents go, each dressing up in their favorite outfit, and having the most enjoyable family evening in town! The bond that happens between kids is something that will last a lifetime.

I grew up in southwestern Virginia and had the great pleasure to go to Barter Theatre in Abingdon in the third grade to see Our Town. That experience set me on the road to the lifestyle that has sustained me all these years. I think the Fairy Tale Ball will have a similar effect on the kids that attend.

First Friday Fun at the Empire

You really missed out on something great if you weren’t braving the slight chill on Broad Street this past Friday for Theatre IV’s first time participation in the First Friday Artwalk. The event is held on the first Friday of each month, rain or shine. This unique cultural event showcases Richmond's thriving arts community, focusing on the diverse arts and cultural venues located along the Historic Broad Street Corridor. The Empire got dressed in its best for the event which featured The Richmond Indigenous Gourd Orchestra, which resides in Richmond, Virginia, where members grow gourds, make instruments and create music. They really drew in the crowds with their unique sound and dramatic look.

I was behind the bar serving up drinks with another familiar face to local theatre-goers, Eddie Tavares. In front of house giving tours of the inside of the theatre was Catherine Dudley (who also designs the site's slideshows), explaining its history and taking care of our featured artist Robert Meganck, who had his wares on display and for sale. You may recognize his name as the award-winning illustrator of the last 2 seasons of Barksdale Theatre show posters.

The Empire has come under the spell of The Wizard of Oz and has sprung 2 huge ruby red slippers on top of the marquee. If you haven’t driven by recently it’s really a cool sight. Let’s hope they remain here this time (see the ps). We were servin’ up some libations behind the full bar which spotlighted the Ruby Red Slipper Sipper in honor of the night. Unfortunately we won’t be able to participate in May’s Artwalk, but we are excited to be using the space for our huge production of The Wizard of Oz. We will be back in June stronger than ever with all new artists and performances. More to come on that next month. We hope to see you there.

http://www.firstfridaysrichmond.com/
http://www.gourdorchestra.com/
http://www.meganck.com/

ps. If you’re interested in what happened to the slippers back in the day look to the previous post, explaining their mysterious disappearance.

Ruby Red Robbery

I warn you this is a first hand account, and it may be disturbing to some readers.

"During the last run of The Wizard of Oz in 1999, we had very large slippers made of Styrofoam, all decked out in red glitter and mounted and wired up on the top of the marquee. One morning, I arrived at the theatre to find that one of the shoes was missing! I could not believe that anyone would have the intestinal fortitude to pull off the theft of the symbol of one of the most popular movies of all times. I called the police and after some careful investigative work, they followed the glitter trail up the sidewalk and up to an apartment above the street. There, they found the pieces of the shoe and after talking to the college age occupants of the apartment, found the rest of the ruby slipper in the dumpster out back. We were able to piece it back together and back up it went. We could not have bought all the press that the theft got us! Something good out of something bad..."

Gordon Bass
Tour Manager

Theatre IV

For info on the hoodlum(s) who took the REAL slippers from the movie check out these sites:
Tragedy Strikes Ruby Slippers
NPR: The Case of the Missing Ruby Slippers

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