Magic Theatre Update

Thanks to everyone who read my post about saving the Magic Theatre. The Magic Theatre's donation drive was a smashing success, hopefully in part because of the awareness fostered by the huge outpouring of media coverage and calls for donations that spread through the online world. The theatre raised far more than their $213,000 goal. The total numbers were close to $455,000. Pretty impressive considering the tough times. I'm so happy that the Magic Theatre has weathered the storm. Really, a big thank you to everyone who donated.

Still, there's plenty of dark clouds on the horizon for hundreds of small regional theaters across the country. Many have closed their doors or will be closing soon, and cutbacks have been very severe. I know I'm not the only one who sorely misses American Musical Theatre of San Jose. Perhaps in the future we can mimic the the same kind of banding together that the community displayed to help the Magic. I'm sure we can pool enough resources to keep theatre doors open! 

Here are some words from The Stanger's Slog section regarding Magic's rescue--

The Magic Theatre's emergency fundraising drive was a success, raising $455,000--counting a $100,000 matching grant that put the company well over its $350,000 goal--"from about 1,100 donors in something like 23 states," Board of Trustees President Missy Kirchner said in a Friday conference call with Artistic Director Loretta Greco. "We're still counting," she added. "Donations are still coming in."

That's good news indeed--I can't wait to see what the new season has in store.

Save San Francisco's Magic Theatre

Saving the Magic Theatre isn't just about retaining one of San Francisco's most valuable historic landmarks and cultural institutions--it's about saving modern theater itself. For 42 years the Magic Theatre has stood for what's new, ground-breaking, and yes, magical, about the stage and its stories, about the possibility behind the curtain.

The theatre's impact isn't just on the Bay Area. It extends into the national theater community and beyond. The Magic has acted as a haven for playwrights that rose to the forefront of the artistic world: Sam Shepard, Nilo Cruz, and Paula Vogel are among the four Pulitzer prize winners whose voices came to life here. The Magic Theatre is one of the places that makes San Francisco a cultural destination rivaling cities like New York and Chicago.

Now, due to the economic turbulence wreaking havoc across the world, the Magic might be forced to cancel the rest of its current season and close its doors for good. In order to continue with their current season, stop a staff shutdown, and keep on the right side of creditors, the Magic needs to raise $350,000 by January 9th--this upcoming Friday. The Magic has always prized artistic risk over money-making, and their admirable, barrier-breaking history proves just how much that choice has influenced contemporary theater. Beyond all this, the Magic employs over 200 artists annually and changes the lives of countless audience members with every performance. If we allow the Magic to shut its doors, we're turning our back on the artists that make the Bay Area such a vibrant place. 

Financial losses have hammered the Magic, and this 43rd year might be the theatre's far too early end. The theatre has already enacted drastic budget cutbacks and begun a rigorous campaign to increase revenue despite the recession.  This season is the inaugural year with new artistic director Loretta Greco, and the first two shows under her leadership, The K of D: An Urban Legend and Evie's Waltz, won much critical praise. Loretta Greco and the rest of the staff have been working without pay since December 19th. 

The rest of the season promises to be equally stunning, featuring new works by some of the most talented and creative writers around. Without the Magic, it's hard to imagine work by luminaries like Theresa Rebeck (Mauritius, slated to run April 18-May 21) or Craig Wright (Mistakes were Made, May 23-June 21) finding a suitable space to run in the Bay Area. Especially since three major Bay Area theaters have either closed on or been on the brink of closing in the last month. Shakespeare Santa Cruz was in a similar plight back in December, but thanks to over $400,000 in pledges that theater will make it through another season. 

The season has four plays left, and without our help these plays might never see an audience in the Bay Area. In a recent San Francisco Chronicle article, Loretta Greco says, "This $350,000 appeal, the third prong, is more grassroots. We're sending it to our colleagues and friends here and around the country. We've raised about $170,000 so far, and no gift is too small. That's where we are. We've got to get back in rehearsal."

You can help. No donation is too small. To contribute to the Magic Theatre and help keep its doors open CLICK HERE. Help us save the Magic and everything it stands for! 

It's a Wonderful Life in Palo Alto, California

Every year on Christmas Eve, Stanford Theatre on University Ave. in Palo Alto shows Frank Capra's classic film It's a Wonderful Life, starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. For the last 21 years, this special showing has been a Christmas tradition, and every year it sells out. It is THE place to be on Christmas Eve in this wonderful little city.

The theater is gorgeous, built in the 40's and renovated in the mid 80's by Dave Packard, or Little Dave as he is known around here. His father, Big Dave, was one of the founders of Hewlett Packard, who famously started Silicon Valley in a garage on Addison St. Before the show begins, a huge Wurlitzer organ rises from under the stage and plays Christmas music. Then Dave comes onstage to talk about the theatre and the film. Last night he talked about how the film was originally released in May or June (I can't remember!), instead of Christmas. Little Dave passionately believes movies need to be seen in a theatre, with other people, and on the right day. He is certainly correct about It's a Wonderful Life. I think it is this belief that keeps Dave from showing any movie made after 1960 at Stanford Theater.

The magnificent red velvet curtain goes up and the movie begins. The audience is as much a part of the evening as the characters onscreen. Old friends see each other yearly here--I saw Caroline Spangler, who I hadn't seen since last Christmas Eve. Our kids grew up together, but now that they're adults we don't see each other much. Caroline's children Nick and Starr just won the TV show The Amazing Race and I hadn't congratulated her yet--but I figured I'd see her at the movie, so I didn't feel too guilty. My kids saw friends from elementary and high school and got caught up in person, instead of just on Facebook. My sister just moved here from Bethesda and was introduced for the first time to a piece of Palo Alto social and cultural life. She was impressed!

During the movie the audience claps, boos at the bad guys, and is totally transported to Bedford Falls. My favorite part is when the names of two of the characters, best friends Bert and Ernie, are finally said together. The newbies in the audience get a huge laugh out of this, when they realize for the first time where Jim Henson came up with his Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street. 

So if you are anywhere near Palo Alto next Christmas Eve, be sure to catch this heartwarming film in the ideal setting. Tickets usually sell out three or four days ahead of time, and can't be bought online. However, the line forms to get a seat a few hours before the show, and there are always people there giving away extra tickets. They rarely sell the extras, and no one scalps. It really is a wonderful life in Palo Alto.