Are they or are they not they closing their doors? That’s the question on everyone’s lips. After the recent media blitz proclaiming dire financial circumstances at PCPA, the locals aren’t sure whether—despite 45 years in this community—PCPA is on the verge of going under.
The Sun’s readers want to know, I told PCPA Artistic Director Mark Booher at a Les Miserables pre-opening-night reception. With a huge smile, he promised to reveal all later, at the theater, before the show. At that time, Booher did announce to a gratified audience that PCPA’s urgent plea for funds brought in more than $180,000 in a relatively short time. Imminent disaster appears to be averted, but they are hoping for at least $20,000 more by June 30.
Opening night receptions—open to Encore Circle members—are a function of the nonprofit PCPA Foundation, which raises money for the theater. This reception was held on the night of Saturday, April 11, at the Santa Maria Inn’s Santa Maria room. The very large turnout (about 150) enjoyed a quickly decimated buffet table, provided with the compliments of inn owners Judy and Hardy Hearn. (She’s a PCPA Foundation Board member.)
Allan Hancock College trustee Bernard Jones pronounced the beef burgundy and fruit punch exceptional. The buffet also included an artfully arranged cheese and fruit tray, bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms, chicken satay, a vegetable platter, and deviled eggs, along with sparkling wine. Jim and Elaine Pollard of Vaquero Cellars and Foxen Vineyard’s Bill Wathen and Dick Dore donated wine for tastings held at the front of the room.
Susan Rees agreed with me that the Santa Maria Room has never looked lovelier. It was filled with small and large round tables, all with white tablecloths. Chairs sat under white covers with big white bows in the back. Red candles were sheltered in glass chimneys, and red napkins provided more color. Everything was red and white.
I was pleased to meet the new president of the Santa Barbara Foundation, Ron Gallow, and his wife Andrea. They shared a table with SB Foundation Board member Judy Frost (also former managing director of PCPA) and her husband, Eric. The Gallows could not have selected a better occasion for their introduction to Santa Maria. The reception and the show were simply magnifique!
In a very brief program at the reception, Mark Booher thanked the Hearns for their generosity. PCPA Foundation board president Nancy Johnson presented a framed Les Miz poster signed by all the cast members to our hosts.
I was pleased to see Jeff Allen, who has returned to his old job as production manager at PCPA, and former PCPA publicity director Michael French, who drove down from San Jose with wine guru Larry Chandler.
At the theater, after the standing ovation, cast members scurried out to the lobby where they held out donation baskets for departing audience members, reminding us that the crisis is not over. Booher wants our bucks!
For more info on “Act Now!”—the campaign to save PCPA—call PCPA Foundation Executive Director Gillian Andrews at 928-7731, Ext. 4109. She can also tell you more about Encore Circle membership ($295 per person, which includes all shows, plus pre-opening night receptions).
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Apr 23-30, 2009.