Performing Arts Center?

Discussion in 'Sun City General Discussions' started by BPearson, Mar 18, 2019.

  1. BPearson

    BPearson Well-Known Member

    For anyone who watched the video from the last (and i do mean final) Board/Member Exchange meeting, you may have noticed one of last years candidates for the RCSC board make a comment that intrigued me. She said we want a Performing Arts Center, not just a theater.

    At first i scratched my head and wondered? Really, does it matter what we call it? Then i started to think about it; maybe there is a difference, subtle as it may be. A theater implies to me a venue for plays, a performing arts center suggests something far more reaching.

    To compound my dilemma, yesterday we went to the Herberger Theater to see the play An American In Paris. It was my first trip there and was impressed by the remarkable main stage venue. There are actually two other performance areas, both smaller.

    The main stage was stunning. Two stories with an orchestra pit to boot (by the way, we don't need an orchestra pit). What was interesting was, it held 800 people. Oddly, that is the number i have felt was adequate for what we would need or use here in Sun City. Especially if we had 5oo seats on the main floor and another 300 to be used for bigger crowds on a second level, much like they have at the Herberger.

    Clearly we don't need anything as grandiose. Some would argue, we only need half that. Some would argue, we don't need anything at all. The point is, we should at least have the opportunity for the argument/discussion/debate.

    I know, the Players have been clamoring for this for 40 years and they deserve/need a good, better yet, a great venue for their plays. I just don't want us to under-build it. We tend to think small and if we do that now, we will end up with a venue that becomes "mine" focused. If it's just for the Players Club, then build it that way.

    If we truly want to enhance the community and the future as a performance venue setting we need think bigger. And so i am clear, it should be the next project built. It should be done before Mountainview (if it were to move to a better location). They've waited long enough and getting it done should be a priority. That said, i would hope we are more interested in doing it right than just getting it built quickly and then hating ourselves in the morning.

    Finally, let me say these are simply my thoughts. I have no sense they are right or better than anyone else's.
     
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2019
  2. CMartinez

    CMartinez Well-Known Member

    I truly believe a performing arts center for Sun City is long overdue. Not just for the Players, but as a community venue for hosting any number of theatrical/arts/music presentations. As you say, it was in the works from the beginning of Sun City, and is long overdue. There is nothing to prevent open and honest discussion about where and how to make this happen.

    I, too, am truly hopeful those in the position of making such a decision and making sure it is done right can see the benefit of having such a place in the community. To do something of this magnitude would require thought and input from the community, and truly evaluate the commentary as to best use for the members as well as Sun City. Perhaps there is a glimmer of hope for seeing things in a new way, and for including member ideas and suggestions as a valuable commodity.
     

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