Mike Isaacson looks forward to 2004-2005 Season at
St. Louis' Fabulous Fox Theater with expectations
of consistently high quality production
by
Daniel Hines
Publisher
TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com
It can't be easy being Mike Isaacson--fun perhaps, but not easy.
After all, each year, he has to face the daunting task of putting
together the shows that have helped make The Fabulous Fox Theater in
St. Louis a landmark for quality musical productions.
Because
of the tremendous cost of traveling productions, his choices have to
attract an audience.
Because Mike believes strongly that theater must not become mundane
and boring, his choices have to have a bit of an edge to them of
newness.
And, because he believes strongly in the integrity of theater and
especially of the tradition-rich Fox, his selections must have high
standards of production quality.
It looks like he has achieved a triple for the 2004-2005 season.
The plays
(click here to read about the schedule) meet all of his
criteria, but there is one that he feels most strongly about--the
consistency of high quality productions.
"This season is more than ever a conscious commitment to style and
production qualities," Mike explains.
"We are really emphasizing quality, consistently first-class
projects."
Mike admits that there is always a risk in selecting a production, and
he knows that it is up to him to identify the qualities that will
ensure success.
It's not as easy as some might think, actually it is about a
two-year-project.
"You read the script, you hear the score, you go unannounced to
productions," Mike muses. He admits that sometimes he sits alone,
unnoticed at the top balcony of theaters where he is previewing a
production so he can be free from undue influences of promoters.
One of the reasons for Mike's confidence in this year's productions
is that he has a great partner--The Fabulous Fox itself.
"I am very aware of the role of the Fox in making a production a
success," he explains. "This year, it will be even better than
before because we continue to make improvements that will make
theater attendance a 'primal' experience that begins when the doors
open and the audience walks into the lobby."
If anyone every needs any validation for Mike's observance, take a
look at people who come in before a play and notice how they look
with a mixture of awe and respect for The Fabulous Fox.
Here are some of Mike's observations about this season's shows:
Christmas with the Rockettes--The real thing, right from Radio City
Music Hall, the full production. This big show returns theater to
its roots, it's complete Americana. It took about six years of work
to get this one booked and it is going to be a sellout. A great way
to celebrate the holidays without having to go to New York.
Chicago--This one will be big. It was last here six years ago...a
lot of people saw the movie and now will be interested in seeing it
live...a great show for a great night of entertainment.
Rent--A Pulitzer prize winner...what more can I say. A great show
and we have it for only five days.
Les Miserables--This wraps it up for one of the great productions
ever in American musical theater. After this, there will be no more
touring companies performing, so we expect that those who have seen
it before will flock to see it again in its farewell.
Disney's On the Record--This is not a musical revue of Disney
songs. It's a recreation of a recording session and will be a
tremendous success with St. Louis audiences.
The Producers--This is our No. 1 requested show. It was sold out
before, and we are anticipating a similar reaction this season.
Mama Mia--I call it the Prozac of musical theater. You just have to
be happy when you leave the theater.
But after his capsule comments, Mike returns to his conviction that
of all the seasons that he has worked on in the past four years,
this is the one that will offer the consistently highest quality
productions of any of them.
And, why not...take a youthful and talented guy like Mike put him in
the setting of The Fabulous Fox which recently celebrated its 75th
Birthday, with a recreation of its opening night, and one has a
synergy that can only assure success.
As the promotion for the season says, "This season has legs..." and
it has the rare behind-the-scenes talent of Mike that make St. Louis
audiences the beneficiaries of his commitment to quality theater.
Now,
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