Christmas Show Opens to Sold Out Crowds
December 2022
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Miracle on 34th Street Opens to Sold Out Standing Ovation
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Miracle on 34th Street, our Christmas production, has been an American favorite since 1947, when it was first produced as a Hollywood film. That film won three Academy Awards and became a Christmas classic. In 2005, the film was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
Theatrikos’ opening night of Miracle on 34th Street, last Friday, was sold out and got a standing ovation.
Miracle on 34th Street is a Christmas favorite of American audiences. Crew member Lisa Coe commented that, “I always love being part of the Christmas shows at Theatrikos! There’s a positive, warm, and fun magical atmosphere of work and fellowship among cast and crew because of the holiday season.”
Miracle is notable for its large cast (32), including 16 children. “I love working with the kids and teens,” said stage manager Shari Snodgrass.
“Whenever kids and adults can interact both onstage and backstage, magic can happen,” said director Joe Maniglia. “For adults, we remember playing dress-up like we did when we were little….for kids, they get to see how other actors bring characters to life, memorizing lines, and how to carry themselves. I think that’s a win-win combination.”
Miracle on 34th Street runs now through December 18.
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“Irrefutable proof that gentle sentimentalism can be the chief ingredient in a wonderful film, Miracle on 34th Street delivers a warm holiday message without resorting to treacle.”
—Rotten Tomatoes
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Theatre Finances:
Covid Disaster Relief and Annual Memberships
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Importance of Year End Membership Renewals
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Theatres around the country and around the world are still navigating the pandemic.
“There’s good news and bad news in Flagstaff,” said Theatrikos executive director Chris Verrill. “The bad news is attendance nationwide is still 1/3 below pre-pandemic levels. This is true at Theatrikos, too. But the good news is that with each show, attendance gets higher and higher.”
This has made Theatrikos much more dependent on disaster relief and on membership donations from patrons.
“At nonprofit theatres, ticket sales alone have never covered the costs of doing business. This has always been true. But now it is truer than ever,” Verrill said.
In 2019, Theatrikos’ last pre-pandemic year, the theatre relied on memberships for 8% of the budget. This year, in 2022 Theatrikos relies on membership for 19% of the budget. In the same time period, grants, which include disaster relief grants, have increased from 22% to 36%. Both of these are currently offsetting the still not back to normal ticket sales. But disaster relief grants mostly expire at the end of 2022.
“It is our expectation that 2023 ticket sales will get us closer to normal,” said Verrill. “But until then, annual memberships, which renew now at the end of the year, are increasingly crucial to our long-term solvency.”
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What does it take to make a show happen? Everyone sees the stage and the actors, of course. But it takes behind the scenes work to make that happen. One of the most crucial aspects of theatre is having a space to rehearse. Theatrikos’ new rehearsal studio at 121 E Birch #303 is just that. The rehearsal studio is generously donated by Kinney Construction Services and is a crucial part of making live theatre a success in Flagstaff.
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Stage Management Workshop
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Incoming Artistic Committee chair Nichole Katz teaches an exciting Stage Management Workshop on December 3, 10 am—4 pm. Ideal for crew members and new volunteers who want to expand their involvement in the theatre. Workshop is at the theatre. Lunch is provided.
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The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a fast-paced musical comedy punctuated by hilarious, touching, catchy songs. Each contestant has a personal story to tell. Auditions are Sunday and Monday, January 8 and 9. There are roles for 9-15 singers of all genders and ethnicities, ages 18 and up.
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News – History – Canyon Movement Company
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NAZ Today interviews Theatrikos crew about our 50th anniversary. The host says, “Theatrikos Theatre Company is a local gem here in Flagstaff.”
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A Complete History of Theatrikos (Abridged)
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As Theatrikos wraps up our 50th anniversary celebration, you can watch a video of the history of the theatre. This quick 15-minute look at the theatre’s 50 year history was produced and directed by Linda Sutera and Chris Gunn.
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Canyon Movement Company presents A Christmas Carol in Dance on December 9 and 10. Dancers include Flagstaff students and community members, as well as guest artists.
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What’s Inside the Black Box?
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By Lynn Timmons-Edwards
Start with a disastrous sewage back-up that took out parts of the basement of the theatre. Follow it up with a world-wide pandemic that brought performances to a halt. Fast-forward three years, and the theatre has been revived and the basement completely renovated into something wonderful.
Theatrikos’ Black Box is the basement space formerly occupied by thousands of costumes. Thanks to a generous in-kind donation from the National Bank of Arizona, the costumes now live in the bank’s basement. The Black Box has become a rehearsal space, a classroom space for TheatriKids, and an intimate versatile performance space.
Until recently, this space housed the podcast streaming show, Live from the Basement, a weekly production of virtual mini-plays alternating with short interviews with Northern Arizona arts leaders. Going forward, the possibilities for the Black Box are limited only by one’s imagination. It could be a comfortable space for poets to share their words. With some work, the space could accommodate intimate performance in the round, cabaret, or experimental theatre. The original stone walls need some repair, but they provide reverberating acoustics. The new lighting and sound system have been installed. Up to 40 seats can be arranged in any formation.
Soon the Black Box could be in as much demand as the Main Stage. Theatre is about telling stories, and the story of the Black Box is about to be written. Bookings are now available for outside groups to come in and use the new space.
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Theatrikos Theatre Company
928 774 1662
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