Pay-what-you-can tickets at the Rep
There's a new ticket purchase opportunity at Seacoast Repertory Theatre (SRT) for some productions. Its Red Light Series (RLS) used it in the past. But more recently it had a successful "trial by fire" during the one-weekend run of "New Brain," the first of four Red Light single-weekend, mainstage productions planned for 2018.
"In an effort to get as many people to see these short runs – when we can't rely on word of mouth – we've decided to do 'pay what you can' (PWYC),'" Director Of Marketing And Development Brian Kelly says. "We tried it with 'New Brain' and ... we had packed houses."
Now, all the Red Light Series mainstage shows will offer pay-what-you-can entry. Advance tickets will be full price. Remaining tickets go pay-what-you-can the evening of the performance.
The Rep occasionally offered this method to mainstage productions in the past, but going forward it's a given for Red Light. The "New Brain" success suggests its a doable model, Kelly says. Ticket sales proved in line with those sold with the traditional model.
"So, we were able to make the show more accessible and attractive, without actually losing any money," Kelly says. "We actually made about a dollar more per ticket than we did for set pricing."
The regular mainstage, full-run shows will now get their own pay-what-you-can test; just a show or two during a run. "We're not going to announce which ones yet," he says. "We want to expand it as much as possible."
A few ground rules: PWYC seats are sold only the night of the event so no one can "lock up" tickets. The practice will continue only as long as there's no financial threat.
"There are a few different variables. There's about a 10-percent fluctuation in revenue. We've seen us make more, but we could just as well see less," Kelly says. "We've accommodated that risk and done some fundraising. But, we'll never get outside of the risk we can accept as a theater."
Finally, regardless of the ticket sales method, personnel are paid a set contracted rate. "They get paid the same no matter what," Kelly says.
Rogosin working on a new musical
Roy Rogosin, co-founder of Seacoast Repertory Theatre and Portsmouth Academy of Performing Arts, now residing in Todos Santos, Baja Sur Mexico, ("If you like paradise, it’s fine," he says) got in touch for with a career update.
Rogosin's latest project, "The Sycamore Street Kite Flying Club," a musical collaboration with Juliana Jones, was given its premier, professional reading at the Clark Theatre of Lincoln Center on Jan. 25. It starred Tony Award-winner John Rubinstein, along with 21 professional actors.
Rogosin wrote the score, Jones the book and lyrics.
"The work has been developing over the last three years," Rogosin says. "This marks our fourth musical together. Two of the previous three have received important regional theatre premieres. One is becoming a standard in the middle school market."
The invitational event was attended by industry professionals, friends and fans. (https://www.broadwayworld.com//article/John-Rubinstein-to-Star-in-THE-SYCAMORE-STREET-KITE-FLYING-CLUB-at-Lincoln-Center-20180110).
"From them, we (expected) to have a diversity of reactions, from which we will learn a great deal," Rogosin says. "My theory has always been that 'audiences are never wrong.'"
The reading sold out, received a "great response" and is now "moving forward," he says. The next step is in discussion, and will be "probably a revised show in New York."
Local theater goers may remember "Minding the Store: The Neiman Marcus Story," a musical penned by Rogosin, which premiered at the Rep.
"I have never stopped writing. I have adapted 'Field of Dreams' ... (and) collaborated with Oscar-winner Ernest Thompson on a musical of his 'On Golden Pond,' which has had several productions," he says. "My collaboration with Juliana on 'Adolessons' for the school market has been particularly rewarding."
Pasternack reprising 'Clean Room'
Actor and playwright Leslie Pasternack is bringing back "Clean Room," a one-woman show that won the 2012 Spotlight awards for best original script and actress.
"I'm bringing it back partly because I'm getting older and if I don't do it now, I may not do it again. It's physically challenging and emotionally challenging," Pasternack says. "But the main reason is two years ago I joined the board of HAVEN and deeply believe in it."
Pasternack's mother was a HAVEN board member. Shortly after her passing, Pasternack took up the mantle.
"As a board, we need to do fundraising. ... I decided this was how I could do that," she says. "So, I'm brushing off the masks and bringing them back to the stage at (West End Studio Theatre)." The play will take place April 6, 7, 8. For more info, visit www.lesliepasternack.com or call (603) 321-8550.
Pasternack also continues to work the "Make Sure It's Me" project, launched as a fully produced play with Artists’ Collaborative Theatre Of New England at WEST. "And I'm finally happy to say I'm taking it to the Manchester VA Medical Center, March 2," she says.
The touring project features staged readings, with veterans. "We continue using it for families and veterans, to start conversations," she says. "We have beautiful conversations during these events."
Before it all, there's "SHELTER: A One Billion Rising Event," on Sunday, Feb. 11 at The Music Hall, a HAVEN fundraiser, Pasternack, ever the good board member, adds. (www.themusichall.org.)
Moynihan returns to Seacoast connections
The Firehouse Center for the Arts' Executive Director John Moynihan, former Producing Director at the Prescott Park Arts Festival, just can't cut ties with his former "upper seacoast" home. Once again he'll draw from his old haunts for a project.
"(We) have that reach up to the Seacoast area and can pull down some talent ... and intersect it with the great talent we have from Newburyport," Moynihan says. "It's great to have these two communities, only 20 minutes from each other, to create that bridge."
The latest project is the Firehouse production of the "Last Five Years."
"We're pulling Rachel Pantazis, who will be playing Cathy. She's done a lot of work with the (Seacoast Repertory Theatre) and Patrick Dorow (Productions)," he says. "One of the actors is Bay Goulet, whose done the (PPAF) shows and was recently in the Heathers (at SRT). Also, we have Samantha Smith doing costumes."
The piece, directed by Steve Faria of Newbury, Mass., will be "somewhat" non-traditional.
"The director has this great vision of introducing the characters you never see, that are only talked about," Moynihan says. " He's introducing three 'movers,' acting characters with no lines. ... It's a brilliant staging."
In other big (connecting) news, the Firehouse just hired Kaitlin Deyo as its production manager. Deyo is the former PPAF production manager.
"Anything that happens at the theater, Kaitlin is the go-between to make sure everything is settled," he says. "That (includes) six fully-staged productions on top of staged readings, rentals, concerts and films."
PMAC plans 'Tiny Enormous' art show
Portsmouth Music and Arts Center is planning a "Tiny Enormous Art Show," Co-founder and Artistic Director Russ Grazier says.
"We were inspired by Nahcotta's 'The Enormous Tiny Art Show,'" he says. "We talked to Deb (Thompson, owner) and asked if it's OK if PMAC did a 'Tiny Enormous' show, a couple of pieces but absolutely huge."
Submissions are being sought. The show is June 11 to Aug. 17. If interested in exhibiting, contact Kate Bogosian at kbogo@pmaconline.org.
Jeanné McCartin has her eyes and ears out for Seacoast gossip. E-mail maskmakernh@aol.com.