MAC - The Big Fake-Out

[do_re_milla]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 5:20pm

Here’s what David Finkle of BACK STAGE wrote in today’s print issue:

“[D]id it [the recent seminar] presage a hot new MAC? Not really.”

Finkle points out that even James Gavin (1 of the seminar panelists) wrote “harsh[ly] about contemporary cabaret and MAC in his tome” “Intimate Nights.”

Finkle also observed that “[a] good time seemed to be had by all, which is often the result when people are told what they want to hear.”

Stu Hamstra of Cabarethotlineonline.com has come up with "The 10 Silliest Reasons Why Not To Join MAC." And he himself has given some of the silliest answers to his own silly reasons.

The current Pres, of MAC BOD Ricky Ritzel, & current MAC BOD VP (former Co-Pres. of the MAC BOD) had sent out disgusting emails in the not too distant past. Stu says “MAC years ago distanced itself from these e-mails - these were not approved of or condoned by the MAC board (several of the board members I spoke to were not even aware of them until someone posted about it on my message board, and were angered by them as well).” Yet, the MAC BOD failed to demand the then MAC Co-Pres Barbarino to step down fr the BOD. Yes, the current Pres of MAC & current VP were the people who sent the disgusting emails. And by the way that was not years ago, it was happening as recently as a year ago, or less. The current MAC BOD certainly knew about the emails before they voted Ritzel MAC BOD Pres & Barbarino MAC BOD VP.

It is important for readers to remember that the mbrs of the past MAC BOD are largely the same as the current BOD & that these same people voted for their current leadership and many of the current MAD BOD have been on the BOD for an extraordinarily long period of time.

In terms of “moving on”, Stu Hamstra, if anything, strengthens the argument that the MAC BOD itself has not “moved on” , is not significantly different in make-up & MAC is still not behaving like a trade association, the purpose for which it was incorporated.

I also question whether it is correct for Stu to email/contact people privately, putting them on the spot about rejoining. Individuals may join/rejoin out of fear because they may feel that Stu will not cover their shows unless they (re)join MAC.

Stu keeps telling everyone who doesn’t want to join (rejoin or have anything to do with MAC), to “move on”. Yet recently Stu writes in virtually every issue of his newsltr, proselytizing what he describes as MAC’s virtues, putting down and attacking those who have not (re)joined MAC. Stu, I say to you “move on”. Stop trying to intimidate people who have not joined and instead, “move on” yourself.

And with regards to MAC, things haven’t changed. As Finkle observed & predicted “MAC fiddles while cabaret burns.” Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it...

Milla

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 5:39pm

Is this MAC Fake Out some sort of East Coast thing? I think I'm missing something.


MAC Cosmetics has sponsored every one of my last few shows for me, donating THOUSANDS of dollars worth of product...

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 5:44pm

I'm lost as well. I immediately thought of MAC Cosmetics when I saw the thread title.

[etoile]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 5:45pm

I believe MAC refers to Manhattan Association of Cabarets and not the cosmetic company or computers.

[cheezedoodle]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 5:50pm

Thank god THAT'S cleared up. I was sure it stood for My Ass Crack.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 5:58pm

Your ass crack has been giving me make-up?!


Damn, I'm impressed!

[do_re_milla]

Posted: 3/9/07 at 12:51pm

very funny.....

But sad at the same time. MAC has the chance to make itself known as a 1st class cabaret trade association, like the American League of Theatre Producers is known in the theatre world, but it's not the case by a long shot.

Milla