Lubbock Moonlight MusicalsI

I was an early on fan of the Lubbock Moonlight Musicals and went to their very first production of Oklahoma.    For the next several years, I rarely missed a production, even if it was a play I did not care about.  I was appalled at the lack of support and attendance from the public of Lubbock, although many businesses and foundations supported and continue to support the effort.

The early productions were plagued by poor staging, poor sound equipment, poor musical support and poor attendance.  The sound equipment was stolen one year.  

As the years progressed, the productions have improved, the stage, the lights, the sound system, the talent, and in general everything has improved.  Several years ago, for several years in a row, I went to all three summer productions, and they were all sell outs.

Additionally, Moonlight Musicals has expanded to doing some productions in the fall, and spring, and even some dinner theaters, especially over the holiday season. They also host or support outside productions. They also host children's productions separate from the adult theater productions at Moonlight Musicals Amphitheater.  

This year, there were three summer productions at the amphitheater:  The Music Man; How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying; and Singin' in the Rain.. I had wanted to see all three, but did not. I was heartened when it was announced that an additional date was added for The Music Man.  I understood that How to Succeed was well received.  But I did not hear much about Singin' in the Rain.  I had a flex ticket for the latter, and went last night.  I was appalled.  The play was not that well done, and one of the "stars" who played Don Lockwood (the movie star) was outshone by his "buddy" Cosmo.  But what was really appalling was that there were probably only about 50 people in the audience.

I realize that part of that was because it was a Thursday night. But come on Lubbock, we can do better than that. We can support the performing arts, no matter what night of the week they occur!

Broadway, The American Musical

I have spent the last several Sunday evenings watching some of the PBS offerings: Broadway: The American Musical http://www.pbs.org/wnet/broadway/.  These are wonderful offerings, and vary in content. It might talk about the Depression, racism, patriotism, the early offerings, the 1920's, the 1930's, 1040's and 1950's.  These are wonderful explorations of the theater in America.  Good stuff.

The Rain and the Play

Tonight was the last night of the Lubbock Moonlight Musicals http://www.lubbockmoonlightmusicals.org/ summer presentations; the play was "The Sound of Music."  A favorite of mine. It was very well done. The play really does emphasize more of the politics of the time, because of a few additional songs.  The quality of the acting, the sound equipment, the choreography really has improved over the years.  I am glad to be able to attend these plays.

Last month, when I went to see "Fiddler on the Roof" I brought a light jacket, in case it rained.  If it rained harder that then light jacket could help, the play would have been cancelled.

The sky was threatening but I did not go prepared tonight.  The weather forecasts were that the storms would stay to the north.  The general director announced the same, and reported he was in touch with the National Weather Service http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lub/ in Lubbock.   The play had barely begun when the big drops started.  If you know about rain in Lubbock, these big drops usually signify not much of a storm, especially with the cloud cover being broken and not very thick.  But, it rained enough that we had to take a 10 minute break, which probably lasted longer than 10 minutes.  The orchestra pit is in the open, and they got the instruments into shelter very, very quickly.

I ran up to the car and got my poncho and blanket.  I was more prepared to stay than I realized.  Just as the play started to resume, so did the sprinkles.  But it was just that. The director said if they had to they would continue with just the piano, and the orchestra could leave.  The orchestra stayed.

As the play ended, the big drops began again. But stopped before I got to the car.

We desperately need the rain. I hope we get it.  Currently, we are getting a light sprinkle.  According to The Weather Channel http://www.weather.com the rain is a small band but there might be some heavy areas of rain.

Moonlight Musicals

Tonight, I attended the final performance by Lubbock Moonlight Musicals http://www.lubbockmoonlightmusicals.org/ of "Fiddler on the Roof."  I fell in love with the music to this play my freshman year in college, and take opportunities to watch the movie or attend plays as I can.

This was an excellent performance, the final one of this play for this season.  The people who played Golde and Tevya are a married couple, and the people who played Hudel and Percheck are a married couple.  I think that helped generate some emotion and spark on stage.  The choreography was really good.

After a few years of shaky performances and equipment problems, the Moonlight Musicals have a good stage, and quality sound equipment.  Last year, the minor performers could not be heard well. Tonight, everyone could be heard well.   It was a pleasure to watch this performance.

The house was full: there is a terraced area for seating, in the Wells Fargo Amphitheater, http://lmcc.ci.lubbock.tx.us/facilities/amphitheatre.aspx and it was full: the ushers were asking people to move closer to allow for more seating. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets to sit on, but the house does provide some chairs. Tonight, the house chairs were all used. On both sides and behind the terraces there are grassy banks where people had to sit tonight.

Although the program indicated a 15 minute intermission, there was an announcement that the intermission would be 20 minutes.  Having heard the founder speak about the facilities, he was very aware of the need for adequate restrooms (more for women than men) and adequate time at intermission to access restrooms and refreshments. I suspect the extra 5 minutes was in deference to the size of the crowd.

I have not heard how the attendance this year has been.  The first 3 years it was mediocre at best.  But, the quality of the performances, and choosing popular musicals makes this a more popular activity.  I am glad the word is getting out.  I am amazed, though, that some people I know do not know where the amphitheater is .

I did not realize it but this is the 7th year of performances for Moonlight Musicals. The first year, they did one play:  "Oklahoma."  The sound was spotty, the stage bare, with no real facilities for the cast and crew. 

The next year, the sound equipment was stolen, and by the end of the season of 3 plays, they had to scale back the music from an orchestra to an ensemble due to budgetary constraints. 
But, the founder, Gerald Dolter http://www.depts.ttu.edu/music/Faculty/GeraldDolter.asp, persisted.

Each year, they get more underwriting from foundations that support the arts.

Part of the plan for this is to support drama students at Texas Tech so they can have summer theater experience, and be paid for it.  They are succeeding at doing this. 

They have added dinner theater during the fall, winter and spring seasons.  I went to the first year performance of "White Christmas" and really enjoyed it. The last season selections did nothing for me, and I did not attend.

Overall, this is a great endeavor for Lubbock.  It will not make Lubbock a destination city for people from across the nation, but for people in the general area, it may someday make Lubbock a destination city.