State Theatre: Shows canceled over flood, repairs

Seven weeks after ruining the State Theatre stage, basement, and thousands of dollars' worth of valuable equipment, the flood of the performing arts venue continues to do damage. Now it's washed away most of the State's 2006-07 season. On Aug. 2, the Austin Theatre Alliance, which manages the State and adjacent Paramount Theatre, announced that it was canceling three of the five proposed productions for the year: A Christmas Carol (December), The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler (February), and The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow (April). Season opener Women on Fire, a solo show starring Judith Ivey, will go forward, albeit at the Paramount and for three nights rather than three weeks (Oct. 12-14); and the Actors Gang adaptation of George Orwell's 1984, directed by Tim Robbins, is still a go, as it was always slated for the Paramount (one night only: Nov. 17).

The decision came after the Alliance executive board was briefed on the full extent of the damage left by the June 13 water-main break that left the stage, one-quarter of the 300-seat auditorium, backstage, the dressing rooms, rehearsal room, and storage areas down the basement hallway waterlogged. Contractors assessed the damage at around $500,000. But since the ruined audience seats are no longer being made, and neither is the lighting system that was fried, finding compatible replacements may cost upward of that half-million-dollar figure.

Complicating matters further is the State's relationship to the Reynolds-Penland building, which the Theatre Alliance used to own but doesn't anymore. The State has all its backstage facilities in the RP building basement, which it can keep there, but it can't draw from that building's heating and air-conditioning units anymore or rely on its sprinkler system. So a major upgrade is needed to bring that space up to code. The Alliance executive board felt that since it had to close the State for flood repairs, it might as well address the upgrade at the same time, even at the cost of shutting down production for a year.

Austin Theatre Alliance executive director Ken Stein says that consideration was given to producing plays in other venues, as they're doing currently with the remount of American Fiesta at UT's McCullough Theatre. There was particular interest in getting that holiday bonus from Mr. Scrooge via A Christmas Carol. But "finding available space during the slow summer months is one thing," he said. Finding it in busy December was next to impossible. "If there had been a clear path, we would have jumped at it."

So the State is closing for a year, presumably, a move affecting not only the theatre but several companies without venues that had planned to rent the space. They're being notified of the shutdown, as are patrons and subscribers, who have the option of getting a refund for purchased tickets or donating their refund to the State. Since the space will be idle and costs are a concern, Stein says most staffers will be laid off. State Artistic Director Michelle Polgar will remain in order to work with Stein and the Alliance board on the recovery effort, particularly raising funds.

Speaking of which, Arts Run 2006, a 5K fun run/walk to raise funds for the State's repair and renovation, is set for Saturday, Sept. 9. Stein notes that while he'd love to secure the support of a million-dollar donor, with this kind of event "a lot of people can come together and be a million-dollar donor." For more information or to make donations, call 472-2901 x219, or visit www.austintheatre.org.