I am writing this letter, in part as a sincere “thank you,” but also as a lamentation.
Our recent co-production of “The Thin Grey Line,” was performed at the Snell Auditorium this past weekend in the presence of rather large and very enthusiastic numbers.
We know that a hot show will generate buzz, but with a run of just four shows, we also know that buzz takes time, and this put us at a disadvantage. There needs to be “bums in seats” from the get go, in order for that buzz to stand a chance.
For that, we have Advocate reporter Lana Michelin to thank. We know this to be true – because we asked patrons how they heard about the show. Time and time again, they referenced the articles written by Lana in advance of opening.
We are thankful for this, but we must also lament the declining focus on the arts both in terms of city support (a city that has identified itself as a sports community – alas), as well as declining media coverage (no more reviews).
While sporting events seem to capture the big crowds, could it be the result of the arts fighting for air time in a city that celebrates and promotes little else? If we want to play with the “big boys,” let’s recognize that life is more interesting when we dabble in a variety of activities.
Ignoring the arts pushes a beautiful part of life further into the shadows. If we don’t tell folks, how can they know?
Lori Lane, Red Deer Players Society