Changing of the Guard

Two companies. Both alike in (lack of) dignity. In gritty Chicago where we lay our scene.

Sorry, Shakespeare…move over. We have lots to discuss. Let’s first start with the American Theatre Company. Don’t worry, Chicago Muse. We’re saving you for dessert.

Executive Director Mary Ruth Coffey up and left the American Theatre Company this past week. She’d only been with the theatre since September 2010. I wonder if she’ll even put the job on her resume! What the hell is going on at the American Theatre Company? If anyone remembers correctly, back in 2009 all by twenty three of ATC’s ensemble members up and left to start their own company – the American Blues Theatre. Sidenote: I found it interesting how both companies presented scaled-down “radio” productions of It’s A Wonderful Life this past year! Great stab in the back! The pompous (and recently hired) artistic director PJ Paparelli apparently caused a mutiny at ATC and all but a few jumped ship. Can you blame them? A newbie nazi walks into a company he knows nothing about and starts ordering people about like robots. I would have left, too. Sources tell me that there are some major cash flow issues going on at ATC. PJ’s sunk a pretty penny into this new production of Grease they have opening later in the spring. The show sounds promising, but those original writers don’t come “rework” a show for nothing. Sounds like Mary Ruth got out while she could! PJ better learn how to work well with others, or that board might give him the axe next.

Moving on…

Hey, Sean Cercone! If you’re working on your autobiography, I have a title for you! Call it “Story of My Life”…your life is the story of taking over theatre companies and running them into debt!

Chicago Muse (the brainchild of a bunch of idiots who think they know what musical theatre is) looks to be having intermal issues as well. This past week the Chicago Tribune reported that Sean Cercone, executive director of Chicago Muse, had left. Most recently, Sean produced that ill-fated production of The Story of My Life. Sean, the former artistic director of the Carousel Theatre in Akron (he ran that theatre into the ground, too), joined the dummies at Chicago Muse back in December 2009. Why the board let him on board, I’ll never know. His track record isn’t the best. Anyone can figure that out by a simple Google search. Most recently Muse board chairman Michael Rosenbaum confirmed that Cercone had left as of January 28, but declined to discuss the reasons. However, he also said that the board is "very disappointed that things worked out this way." Yours truly will be getting to the bottom of this. I have a feeling it’s over the lack of money they brought in with their last show. They have yet to announce a season. And let’s face facts: a theatre company doing one show a year (that loses money) is hardly a theatre company.

Two theatre companies falling apart before my every eyes. I love it.

All the best,

WCR

Bailiwick bombs with 'Departure Lounge'

For Bailiwick's second official season (they've been around for a while, formerly Bailiwick Theatre Ensemble...remember that dreadful fallout in late 2009?) things don't look promising. The fact is Departure Lounge, the new musical that played at Royal George, didn't go over too well with audiences. Instead of flying to the theatre, patrons decided they'd rather sit on the tarmac at O'Hare for two hours. Reviews were mixed and discounted tickets were showing up on Hottix every week. The company offered numerous other discounts: industry discounts and student discounts and "ticket prices increase next week so get them now" discounts. None worked. Insiders are saying that the show didn't make any money and now the company's future shows are on the rocks.

Violet, the Jeanine Tesori/Brian Crawley Civil-Rights themed musical, was set to open in early February, but, according to several cast members, it's not even on the books. According to those (former) cast members, they canceled the show because of lack of money and only a few actors found out at first. Of course, with dramatic tweets and Facebook status updates, the entire company knew within a matter of hours. The actors have had the roles since mid-October and it's too late to re-audition for spring 2011 shows, so they're all screwed out of theatre jobs and resume builders. Sorry, kids.

Let's hope the same doesn't happen with the new musical Passing Strange, set to open later in the Spring. They also have a new play (The North/South Plays) lined up for later in the season.

In a year-end letter to patrons, Executive Director Kevin Mayes begged audience members for money, but didn't mention the Violet vacancy, as we'll call it. Here's an excerpt. 

• In this economy, with so many theater companies in Chicago, you may wonder why we do this. We believe that theatre has the power to inspire, enlighten, and alter the collective consciousness. This belief drives us to create theatre that teaches, reaches the under-served, and elicits action toward global harmony, stewardship and unity. Every person and community has a story to tell. It is Bailiwick Chicago’s privilege to tell it.
• You may not be aware that ticket sales for our productions only cover about 40% of the costs needed to tell these extraordinary stories. Our 2011 season, shaping up to be just as phenomenal as our first, will not happen without your generous support to help us reach our fundraising goals.
• We need your support. Each and every donation, no matter how much, will ensure that Bailiwick Chicago can continue to produce nothing less than amazing theater.

And lastly, make sure you check out Bailiwick's site: http://www.bailiwickchicago.com/about-us/. The last "core value" doesn't seem to fit in with what's going on over there at the administrative offices. "We manage our operations with fiscal and social responsibility." Now there's a good musical comedy for ya!

Yours truly,

WCR

Welcome!

Let's face it: Chicago (and Illinois, for that matter) is full of lies and cheats. Ever heard of Rod Blagojevich or Al Capone or Jack Ryan? Just because they've been exposed doesn't mean the Chicago theatre world should be left alone.

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Thanks & enjoy!