Luna Stage, the financially-strapped local theater company that will leave its premises later this year, has decided to cancel its main stage production of "After Adam," a world premier that was scheduled to run from January 29 to March 1. But the theater's managing director, Mona Hennessy, says that since Luna can't afford to buy its building, which is definitely for sale, it is working on lining up a new venue and hopes to stage "After Adam" in the future.
With the financial climate the way it is - which definitely affects non-profits like Luna - we felt it was the fiscally responsible thing to do. It would have been a real hardship to manage a World Premiere in January and February. The decision to cancel the show had nothing to do with the building - and it is really not a problem but more of a decision to ensure we don't run into a financial problem.
Luna hopes to locate in West Orange, not too far away. But it does seem a shame that after losing first Olympia Dukakis's Whole Theatre Company in 1990, and more recently "12 Miles West" - first to Bloomfield and then to Madison - Montclair stands to lose yet another local theater. Particularly on the heels of its jaunty Christmas success, the sold-out "Santaland Diaries." Luna has also provided a stage to an indie music scene and new talent like the Strange Dog Theatre company.
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Comments (13)
I think the regional Arts need a bailout like Wall St. or Detroit.
It's true, Luna employs 2's of people.
It's a shame, being at the high edge of the Montclair Mile, that it wasn't in a part of town with more foot traffic, like the old Whole Theater was. Put a poster of Frankie Faison's face out front so people can recognize him from the Hannibal Lecter movies and say, "Hey this is a real theater." Maybe the Cookie Monster can let them have the Red Cheeta space for a song, if he really cares about the upscale image of the town. :D
Why would someone who knows Faison from the "Hannibal Lecter" movies (I think he was an orderly in one scene in the first one), think his face means REAL theater?
Or was that a joke?
(And who's the Cookie Monster? Gaborski (sp?))
Like everything else, if you have a poor business model, you go out of business. The trick, of course, is to get "too big to fail."
Only then do you get a bailout....
I get it know
Why would someone who knows Faison from the "Hannibal Lecter" movies (I think he was an orderly in one scene in the first one), think his face means REAL theater?
He is a recognizable character actor. Real as in Equity as opposed to community theater composed of amateurs.
He was also in the second Lecter movie Hannibal, where he notably tries to sell the Hannibal mask in the very first scene. He was also in the third movie, Red Dragon and he was even in Michael Mann's original Lecter movie Manhunter playing a different character. So bite me, Mr. Poopy Pants.
(And who's the Cookie Monster? Gaborski (sp?))
But of course.
(****** sigh**********)
Beginning the new year off with a dimwitted bang I see.
How about this, I'll bite you once.
And that's all. But it ain't free fella.
After that, perhaps a grown up response?
Because if you really think a "poster" of Mr. Faison (a great guy, btw) can save Luna, you are exactly who I think you are.....
(And yes, I understand you mean him acting in a show, but come on.... He's not exactly a household name... And certainly not one to sustain a local theater.... Do you even know his history with local theater here? It seems you don't....)
Pitty. My grands and I had some fun at shows, and I have enjoyed a few adult productions. But, Faison's face and posters of minstrels in black face turned me turned me off - even though I assumed it was someone's "edgy new satirical drama" or whatever. If Faison is the best you can offer, well...
I love, and used to try hard to support regional theatres - fresh work and it's less expense & hassle.
But, I never understood why they cannot complement the "avant art" with one or two crowd pleasers - trite musical or professional children's just to boost good ole cash flow.
"But, I never understood why they cannot complement the "avant art" with one or two crowd pleasers - trite musical or professional children's just to boost good ole cash flow."
Can't do that in Baristaville, Nana! Not acceptable.
They need some Beck & Malina peeps to wake up Montclair. The Living Theatre comes to SoBlo/NoBlo.
Obviously most of the self-centered folks who don't leave there computers or Latte;s long enough to see real talent in plays (aka the ones who post 90% of the writings on baristanet),would rather see rock bands from the last 30 yrs rather than cutting edge talent from their own local area,,typical.
If some new GOOD talent enters the arena, it will be noticed. Meanwhile people are going back to swing dancing. Talent shines, crap gets flushed.
Oh Prof, I could listen to you talk all day. I need the sleep.
It seems like no one at Luna knew how to market what they were doing. I've never seem a mailing or an ad for them, and for the longest time they hardly had a visible sign that actually had their name on it visible on Bloomfield Ave!
Doing non-crowd pleaser plays is admirable work but you've got to work to build an audience then.
They didn't seem to have any traction or real connection to the community. What about a theatre school or classes? Brilliant, cheap way to get families in your door and familiar with what you do.
Did they have one? Who knows? Never heard of it.
Wish them good luck in the next venture.