By Gillian Brunette
In budgetary terms Huntsville’s Algonquin Theatre had a very good year in 2007.While it operates at a deficit of $159,000, the theatre finished the year with a deficit of $121,000, more than $38,000 better than forecast.
To put that into perspective, Parry Sound’s Charles W. Stockey Centre has been fraught with financial woes and recently proposed a 2008 operating budget of $425,000.
“The financial success can be attributed to a great economy in 2007 and to some very popular programming. This resulted in many sold-out shows, bringing in excess revenues,” said Algonquin Theatre facilities manager Karin Terziano. The Huntsville Festival of the Arts experienced one of its best summer seasons ever, with 16 sold-out performances and many others in the 75 per cent range, said Terziano.
“They added a jazz festival in early August, which was also well received.” Adding to the financial success and community enjoyment were a number of community-based plays, Terziano said.
“Plays such as Fiddler on the Roof, Sexy Laundry, Dinosaurs and Dreams, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and A Christmas Carol played to almost 5,000 patrons.”
The Algonquin Theatre has proven over the past three years to be a community theatre in every sense of the word, said Terziano.
“Local talent and professional shows graced the Algonquin stage on 126 occasions in 2007.”
She continued: “Of course, the financial success of the theatre would never be possible without the volunteers who, based on those 126 performances, contributed over 8,000 hours in unpaid labour.” Looking ahead at 2008 Terziano said she is expecting about the same level of programming as last year.
“We have got four plays here in the first five months, which is a little more than normal, and while Theatre Muskoka will not operate in Huntsville this summer, the festival of the arts has programmed more shows in August than they usually do.” Also expected to bring in the crowds is the much-anticipated new show from Women Fully Clothed.
“There is a lot of excitement and anticipation around the theatre about the premiere of a brand new show. Women Fully Clothed were here in August 2006 and 2007 and they were so impressed with our theatre and the town that they decided to write their new show and premiere it here.”
The new show (which is still to be named), featuring a cast of five renowned Canadian comedy artists, will preview Aug. 20 to 23.
“If the Huntsville Festival of the Arts brings in performances that were as popular as last year, it will translate into another good summer financially,” said Terziano.
“The better a show sells the better we do, as the theatre is rented on a per-ticket-sold pricing system unlike some centres which have a flat-rate rental. A good economy also helps, of course, as people have more disposable income.”
Proposed for the fall of 2008 is a new children’s entertainment series, which will be a first for the Algonquin. Also continuing are the seniors’ Smile Theatre series. These one-hour matinee musicals are becoming increasingly popular. There are three more performances left in the current season, with The Great Farini on stage Feb. 20 at 2:30 p.m.
The theatre brochure for January to June is available at the theatre and various outlets around town.
