ABSTRACT: A SYNOPSIS of The Carmel Pine Cone article “New Golden Bough to be quieter, prettier, more comfortable” by Mary Brownfield from the April 4, 2008 edition is presented. COMMENTS and QUESTIONS are made with respect to Pacific Repertory Theatre, the Golden Bough Theatre and the Forest Theatre.
SYSOPSIS:
Under the leadership of Executive Director Stephen Moorer, Pacific Repertory Theatre (PacRep) has contracted with theatre architect R. F. McCann for a preliminary design, schematics and 3-D model for the proposed demolition and rebuild of the Golden Bough Theatre’s main stage, a 300-seat theatre constructed half a century ago. McCann’s plans call for “new walls, roof, floor, stage, basement, bathrooms and infrastructure.” The design entails a reversal of the old theatre layout; that is, the main stage will back onto Monte Verde Street and the new larger lobby will have views of Point Lobos.
When the 3-D model is completed in about six months, it will serve as a key fundraising tool for PacRep’s $6 million capital campaign. Jim Bennett, who was hired by PacRep in March 2008, is set to launch “Encore Circle,” PacRep’s planned giving program. Pac Rep’s “quiet campaign” is to raise the first $3 million through spring 2009; PacRep has raised $1 million already. PacRep intends to form a “blue ribbon committee” of about 40 “community leaders, major donors and foundation representatives” who will make monetary contributions, et cetera. Once $3 million has been secured, PacRep will take its “financial plea” to the general public. PacRep hopes construction can begin in spring 2010, with the new Golden Bough Theatre’s main stage opening in 2011.
COMMENTS:
• The Forest Theater Foundation contracted with theater architect Richard F. McCann to complete a “pre-design” for the Forest Theatre. On October 30, 2007, the Foundation held a “Neighborhood Meeting” on the “pre-design” at Vista Lobos. Since October 30, 2007, the “pre-design” has not been placed on a city council agenda for the purpose of informing all Carmelites about the “pre-design,” et cetera, for the Forest Theatre.
• Pacific Repertory Theatre (PacRep), under the leadership of Executive Director Stephen Moorer, has contracted with Richard F. McCann for the preliminary design, schematics and 3-D model for the “rebuild” of the Golden Bough Theatre’s main stage; McCann has completed the preliminary design, is currently working on the schematics and expects to complete the 3-D model in six months. In March 2008, PacRep hired Jim Bennett to oversee their $6 million capital campaign.
• According to The Carmel Pine Cone (April 8, 2008), Mayor Sue McCloud, City Council Members Ken Talmage and Karen Sharp put “updating the general plan and refurbishing the Forest Theater in time for its centennial in 2010 among their top priorities.”
QUESTIONS:
• If Mayor Sue McCloud, City Council Members Ken Talmage and Karen Sharp have “refurbishing the Forest Theater in time for its centennial in 2010” as one of their “top priorities,” then why have six months elapsed since the Forest Theater Foundation’s “Neighborhood Meeting” on the “pre-design” without the “pre-design” being placed on a city council agenda for the purpose of informing all Carmelites about the proposed project?
• What is the City’s plan for “refurbishing” the Forest Theatre in time for its centennial in 2010? Will the City form a partnership with The Forest Theater Foundation and commit financial resources to realizing the “refurbishing” of the Forest Theatre?
• Given PacRep’s current $6 million campaign for the renovation of the Golden Bough Theatre’s main stage and the finite number of potential private donors, what is the likelihood that sufficient monies will be able to be raised from private donors for the “refurbishing” of the Forest Theatre at the same time PacRep is soliciting monies for the Golden Bough Theatre renovation?
1 comment:
I too think far too much time has transpired between that Vista Lobos presentation and today without having it on a public hearing.
The after campaign rhetoric definitely doesn't match reality. It brings to mind candidates saying anything that sounds good to get elected and once elected they are encouraged to say things that do not mesh with reality.
The city has neglected the Forest Theater for a long, long time. And now just because it will celebrate 100 years since its founding, councilmembers get on the this is the thing to do bandwagon. I much rather have a council committed to annual maintenance and upkeep and assistance to the theater presenters than all the rhetoric of great things to come.
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