[Photo by Owen Carey]

In the past few months we’ve had a slew of interest in the Armory. We’ve fielded calls from Hartford, CT; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; Chicago, IL; Vancouver, BC and Windsor, Ontario (what are the initials for Ontario?).

We’ve also hosted tours for visitors from San Diego, Nigeria, Mexico, Singapore, China, Indonesia, Brazil, Bangladesh, Spain, South Africa, Russia and Hungary. Whew

In February, the National Trust for Historic Preservation will convene here, and next October - the International Association of Fine Arts Deans meets at the Armory.

What is their interest? The sustainble design and how that links back to the performing arts; the community activity in the space; a historic renovation that is truly dynamic. You name it. It’s all pretty cool.

{Courtney Lane Mazza and Kent Zimmerman lead the cast of West Side Story (2006) in the Mambo! photo by Owen Carey}

Speaking of international interest, last Fall, I received an invitation to direct the Russian premiere of West Side Story, but had to decline because of my committments here at PCS. I just received an email from the Music Director, sharing some word of how that production played out:

“Hi Chris,

You’ll recall my contacting you nearly a year ago to ask if you’d direct the Russian premiere of West Side Story in Novosibirsk. Unfortunately you were otherwise engaged, but the show must go on, and we’re in the final weeks of rehearsal at the great Globus Theater here. I was finally able to assemble an American director-choreographer team, and things are really going well. Very high talent level and typical Russian unlimited production budget for impressive sets on big stage. We’re using full orchestra, so the romantic music has the big symphonic feel of the film. Started auditioning a year ago, and found an extraordinary 18 year-old Maria who is every bit the equal of Carol Lawrence. Opening is on Thanksgiving day, and we’re expecting to keep it in repertory with several performances each month for 2-3 years. A year of hard work, but totally worth it.

“Globus is a remarkable theater - 30 - 40 productions in repertory with at least one performance a day on one of its 2 stages. A real theater machine with 400 employees. And no fundraising.

“Hope we can work together sometime.

Keith”