Articulations

An ill wind seems to blow whenever Austin Theatre for Youth gets close to staging Treasure Island. For two years, the company has been trying to produce a stage adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson tale, to no avail. This spring, ATY postponed a scheduled May production, citing a desire to find "a more suitably-sized facility" than the McCallum High School Theatre in which to mount the show. ATY had re-scheduled the show for October in its home space, the Auditorium at Waller Creek, but according to a press release dated Wednesday, the company has postponed the show again. This time, the cause is much more serious — and affects more than one show. The release states that ATY has suspended all fall productions — The Velveteen Rabbit was set for November — and its Academy program as well. The reason? A shortfall in corporate support and contributed income. Caught between its commitment to affordable ticket prices and tuitions and a dearth of sponsorships, the company was forced to cut expenses however it could. This is the second time in three years that ATY has had to suspend productions for a funding shortfall, and the fact that this time the money crunch has affected the ATY Academy does not bode well. More details as we obtain them. Call 459-7144 for more info.

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A Scholarship for the Dean

For half a century, John Bustin told the city what was going on on Austin's stages. His generosity and devotion to the theatre earned him the honorary title of "dean" of local critics. Now, a local university theatre program wants to honor this "dean" more formally: through an endowed scholarship in his memory. The Mary Moody Northen Theatreat St. Edward's University, which Bustin was instrumental in getting off the ground in the early Seventies, wants to establish an annual scholarship to a St. Edward's theatre major who shows "exemplary talent and devotion to the program." Organizers hope to raise $100,000. Anyone wishing to contribute may call 448-8483.

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Sayonara, Laura

They turned out by the hundreds to say so long to the gal who helped put Austin on MTV but who's leaving Shangri-La on the Colorado for the City of Angels. Tuesday, September 8, Laura House, local comic and star of the late cable series Austin Stories, threw a big going-away party for herself at the Capitol City Comedy Club, with performances by many of her friends in the comedy scene, a few friends who weren't in the comedy scene, and a few members of the comedy scene who weren't friends but who House wanted to see onstage before seeking her fortune in biz-heavy L.A. At least 13 comics contributed short solo sets and another two dozen performers appeared in assorted 10-minute segments of sketch comedy and improv. If it sounds long, it was: more than three hours. But hey, saying goodbye isn't always quick, especially when there are comics involved and the laughs are flowing. With a crowd of 300 in the house — which helped House raise $900 for the SPCA and the AIDS Foundation, favorite charities of House's friend Kevin Maye, who died recently — and a whole lotta love in the room, it's a miracle the show isn't still going on. There may be a little less laughter in town with House away, but count on her to come back, at least for visits. And when you see her, be sure to ask about Monica's mixed tape... maybe the funniest bit about the Big Lewinsky yet.