Friday's one-night stand at the Raue Center in Crystal Lake was top-notch. The actors in Bye Bye Birdie were terrific and carried their high-energy performance from the opening curtain to the final bow; well, the only bow. Whatever happened to curtain calls?
Why the two thumbs down?
One thumb for the long audio advertisement for an out-of-area car dealership that was played over the theater sound system just before the play started. I can turn off TV ads, and I can talk through ads at the movies. When I am sitting with two $59 tickets in my pocket, I do not want to be subjected to advertising in a live theater!
The second thumb down was when the announcer asked for a round of applause for two commercial sponsors for the 2 1/2-hour play. Same reasoning!
Admittedly, a troupe has high expenses to come to a town for one night. That's what ticket prices pay for. The Raue's website says that ticket sales account for only 70 percent of the Center’s needs. The remaining 30 percent comes from private support. And the advertising revenues? The Raue has already hit its 100% of needs.
Raue Center management should re-think its policy about commercialism directed at a captive audience that has already paid top dollar for tickets.
And let's hope that such tactics don't invade the Woodstock Opera House. Or have they already done so?
What can you do? Email or telephone the Raue Center and let the Director and the Board of Trustees for this non-profit organization know what you think and how in-theater advertising will affect your decision to attend performances at the Raue Center.
Email your opinion to the Director and Board of Trustees at info@rauecenter.org
Call the Director at 815.356.9212
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3 comments:
Gus,
I am happy you enjoyed the musical play...told you that you would. Sorry about the two thumbs down part. I hear you are going to take acting, singing and dancing lessons starting soon...our next American Idol.
Good Evening!
It's Richard Kuranda writing. As the Executive Director of Raue Center I was thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the show but saddened that you were disappointed with the sponsorship announcement.
Just to a bit of background-- the sponsors make it possible for us to lower the ticket price to what you paid last evening. As you can imagine-- this economy is a bit difficult for arts organizations and we appreciate not only your fair feedback but also their advertising dollars.
Raue Center values your input. We strive to attract new sponsors-- truly a shame that no local car dealer was interested.
Sincerely,
Riichard Kuranda
Mr. Kuranda,
Thank you for your explanation. I'd pay $1/ticket more to eliminate the in-theater advertising, and I wonder how many other patrons might happily do so.
Had the announcer merely thanked the newspaper and hotel sponsors without asking for a round of applause for them, my reaction would have been milder. I think the dealership's ad was mostly ignored, as few quieted down to listen to it.
I wonder whether a $.25-.50/ticket price increase might more than replace the advertising revenues from the dealership, newspaper and hotel. I also wonder whether lower ticket prices might result in higher audience numbers. What if ticket prices were cut 30-35% but the audience numbers doubled?
Once again, thank you for posting the explanation and comment.
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