State Theater, a pipe dream.
Reading the front page story in the Auburn Journal on Monday 2/23/09 about the recommended direction for the State Theater in Auburn by San Francisco consultants Venuetech reminded me of the definition of a consultant; A consultant is someone who borrows your watch to tell you what time it is.
Venuetech is recommending live performances in the 447 seat theater by the likes of the New Christy Minstrels, The Kingston Trio and even Broadway touring companies. They estimate the talent cost to be $7,500 to $15,000. If you do not see a major problem with this picture let me outline it for you.
What is the target audience they are planning to attract? Randy Sparks was the founder and original lead singer of the New Christy Minstrels. He is now 75 years old. The people he recruited to perform as the New (Old) Christy Minstrels with him are not far behind him in age. Who exactly would go to see a folk singing group that was popular forty years ago? And how much would they be willing to pay for a ticket? I’ll answer that. I was a young adult during the folk singing era in the sixties and used to be a regular attendee at Ledbetter’s, a night club owned by Randy Sparks on Westwood Boulevard in West Los Angeles, where he and other groups, like the Minstrels, used to perform. I would be willing to pay $10 to $15 to see them again for some nostalgia.
However, the economics do not pencil out. 447 seats x $15.00 a ticket = $7,155, which may cover the cost of the talent, but would leave no money for the other expenses, such as staffing, utilities, advertising, etc., associated with hosting a concert event.
How much would you be willing to pay to see has-beens and other “D or C” list entertainers? Mainstream contemporary artists cost $30,000 to $50,000. If you think the State Theater can financially support a Broadway touring company to come to Auburn, think again. They tour with complete stage sets and scenery, large casts, support staff and orchestra. $15,000 would be just about the price of the deposit.
Here is some FREE advice for the Auburn Performing Arts Center board; Hold on to your watch and anything else you are wearing because you could loose your shirt on this pipe dream… and invest in a calculator.
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I actually pay money and often go to San Fransisco to see real entertainment in some of the old theatres. The Crest, in Sacramento gets alot of us from this area. The tickets are often sold out. I have longed to see independant films and small venue (but much loved) musicians at the State Theatre. We have a gold mine here but the conservative good ol' boys don't go themselves and don't mind keeping the rest of us out. When they have lost their shirts, I will go work for the smart man who buys the State Theatre and then we will see things change. Good luck in the meantime...
Like Observer, I will also pay to see entertainment that I enjoy. It would be worth the difference in gas, bridge tolls and SF parking fees to see an event w/in 30 minutes of where I live. Venuetech is a business and therefore it is their job to create such opportunities. While I much prefer jazz and performers good ol'-fashioned rock'n'roll, i did enjoy the Mistrels amd Kingston Trio. It's too bad that Joemiko has to denigrate them with a reference to 'has-beens' instead of a more complimentary term like 'former pop stars' or something more positive. People have a choice and I applaud the Auburn Performing Arts Theater for doing what they can to boost their city's economy for along with the concerts, comes additional tax revenues from pre-show dinners or post-show outings.
Perhaps Joemiko has some positive ideas for helping boost Auburn's economy?
You people are missing the point of my opinion. I wrote that I would go see the New Christy Minstrels. I have seen the Kingston Trio several times in my life, including in their hay-day with the original members. I have been a life long concert goer and a live stage musical aficionado having seen The Phantom of the Opera on stage seven times. One of my biggest frustrations living in this area is our lack of access to a good performing arts center with great concerts and musicals. I would like nothing more then to have a venue in Auburn that could host major live performances. My issue is that the State Theater with only 447 seats is too small for the economics to work. The ticket prices for a musical would be approximately a $100 a seat or more. The question I asked and you should try to answer is; How much would you be willing to pay to see a live performance?
Maybe talking to the places in Nevada City and Grass Valley, who also have small venues, and ask them how they do it. $100.00 per ticket is way too much except in rare occasions. Most of the tickets I buy are anywhere from $15 to $30 and they sell out. I like what alot of people consider alternative rock, Irish punk, solo artists like Lucinda Williams, Patrice Pike, groups like Trailerhouse Troubadours, etc. There are so many others who are still on the road who would pack the State Theatre and bring some cultural and variety to our behind-the-times beloved area. It would be great for the restaurants, tourism and the like. C'mon Auburn, let's not waste this goldmine we are sitting on!!!!!!
Well, just paid $75.00 a pop for my wife and sister to go see Fleetwood Mac at ARCO (Mother's Day present). I'll have to give 'em another 10-spot for parking and then there's the gas, so t depends on the artist. It also depends on what it means to the recipient so my I believe in the "Life's too short, enjoy it while you can" philosophy of some.
Fantastic comments Observer, I agree completely (and would LOVE to see the artists and music you listed here in town!). I'm betting our paths have crossed. :)
The possibilities are endless with the venue, it's going to be a real shame if the planners for the performances at the State Theater don't start thinking more out of the box.
Interesting points made by Joemiko.
And Sacramento is so close.