The 49th Season is Open

Nunsensations! opened the 49th Old Town Playhouse season last night. It continues the franchise in fine form. It is sweet, enjoyable, warm and appropriately cheesy. The performance was a fine opening to this year's season; one I hope will be an exciting one for our community. The remainder of the season will feature Pulitzer Prize winners, contemporary hit musicals including the winner of the most Tony Awards(12) in history, a children's musical, a contemporary classic and a recent comedy that is just beginning to find an audience: Rabbit Hole; Urinetown, the Musical; Willy Wonka, Jr.; One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest; Panache; The Producers; Doubt, a Parable; Leading Ladies.

The audience was a little over 200, nearly 2/3 of our house. This is actually consistent for an opening bight at the Playhouse, the premiere community theatre in the region. This is despite increases in promotion and advertising. Yes, the economy of Michigan may have an effect, but I truly believe this is marginal. Rather, I believe it is the surging wealth of entertainment opportunities throughout the region and the apprtioning of the entertainment dollar. As a result we are looking at many options. It seems the catchphrase is collaboration as we aim to capture audience layalty and dollars as well as a recognition that we are all seeking funding from many of the same sources.

Last night was also the first test of the new computerized ticketing system that has been instituted by the Old Town Playhouse, the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, City Opera House and the Milliken Auditorium of the Dennos Museum. This is a grand experiment in collaboration, which will impact all the region's Arts and Culture non-profits and profit ventures alike. Very soon any ticketed event within our region of the Northwest Lower Peninsula of Michigan should be available through our developing system.