Circling the drain: Seattle's Intiman Theatre

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 4/16/11 at 11:27pm

The rest of this years season cancelled

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 4/16/11 at 11:37pm

I had a feeling this would happen. Saw their marvelous All My Sons last weekend and there was something in the air. Very sad. That said, if they don't offer refunds, I'm going to be a tad peeved. Maybe that's insensitive of me but I donate on top of my subscription, and the fact that they haven't announced what they're going to do with subs is a bit perplexing.

Updated On: 4/16/11 at 11:37 PM

[Donthatecongratulate]

Posted: 4/16/11 at 11:38pm

i guess that's what happens when an inexperienced person takes over as artistic director and then puts her husband in all the shows.

nice of bartlett sher to leave intiman for loftier goals with such debt. between that and women on the verge, he seems to have the magic touch.

Updated On: 4/16/11 at 11:38 PM

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 4/16/11 at 11:47pm

Their financial problems really have nothing to do with Kate. I think Bart's absence in NYC during his tenure was their main downfall. I feel bad for them, but as a subscriber I feel cheated when they knew this was coming long before they went ahead with the season.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 4/17/11 at 11:45am

It's definitely not Whoriskey's fault. I can't imagine what sweet-talking Bart Sher must have done to get his protegee to take over such a debt-ridden theatre.

I think the Intiman has been high on a bit of hubris ever since PIAZZA hit, the Tony win, and Bart's increasing reputation as an A-list director in New York. Ultimately and obviously, the overall fault of the failure of the theatre lies with the people handling the financials...which doesn't necessarily mean Sher. Rumor has it that one of that team had a full-on nervous breakdown when the sh*t engulfed the fan last year.

It's all very sad, but also very familliar...A Contemporary Theatre almost shut its doors eight years ago when Gordon Edelstein (Now head honcho at Long Wharf) got starry-eyed, ran up a beast of a debt and then split for a better job. ACT is going strong today by getting back to basics: Namely being an outlet for local talent and not trying to be a national, star-f**king, household-name regional theatre.

Updated On: 4/17/11 at 11:45 AM

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 4/17/11 at 3:54pm

I grew up going to shows at the Intiman before moving to New York several years ago. They were never well attended no matter when I went except for Black Nativity. This is in stark contrast to the Rep next door.

Before Bart Sher abandoned it, the Intiman had a reputation for long productions of classic plays with tons of actors. Great for creative people who need the work. Not so great for audiences. Off the top of my head they did productions of Three Sisters, Cymbeline, and Richard III that were all kind of insufferable.

They also love doing solo shows, which I suppose is admirable, but a giant thrust space that needs to fill 8 shows a week isn't ideal for that. I remember gigantic sets for Martin Moran and Mike Daisey that were totally unnecessary and were there just to fill the space.

All that to say, I'm not surprised. But I'm sure they'll get smart and save it.

[choitoy]

Posted: 4/17/11 at 6:01pm

It's such a shame.
My first (professional) play that I ever saw was their production of "Angels In America", and then I saw a wonderful production of "Three Tall Women" there (which I liked a lot better than the recent production put on by the Seattle Rep). But I really haven't seen a show there in over 10 years until "The Little Dog Laughed" last season (looking at this, you would think that I only go to the Intiman for their onstage nudity. LOL!). Their selection of plays over the last few years haven't been as interesting as the Seattle Rep next door, but I love thier stage and audience layout better than the Rep.

I hope they can get their act together and come back from this.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 4/17/11 at 6:49pm

Chapter 11 option?
Chapter 11 & nonprofits