Beck Center movement: NOT a rumor!

[Joan Roberts]

To DL:

As a supporter of the arts, which do you think is the Beck's more critical mission, performance, participation, or education?
And how do the glitizy Broadway shows the Beck has offered in the past few years fit in?

And to Mr. Liston:

I would consider it a tragedy if anyone (well, ALMOST anyone) ever closed their yapper.
I guess I want to keep noodging the very bright and concerned people here that we need to keep a buyer's mentality in the mix, too. "Yah, you got a swell town here. But how do I make a buck off all that swellness?"

[dl meckes]

To DL:

As a supporter of the arts, which do you think is the Beck's more critical mission, performance, participation, or education?
And how do the glitizy Broadway shows the Beck has offered in the past few years fit in?

Each of these elements is critical to the overall sucess of the Beck's mission (in my mind).

By education, I am assuming that offering classes is part of the mix. This is a time-tested way of raising money, including grant monies.

The Cleveland Public Theater is able to bring in Artist-In-Residence Directors through grants. Not only are patrons treated to different visions through these Directors, the Directors may also offer workshops and other educational activities such as post-production discussions. Or master classes. Those folks broaden our knowledge base and CPT isn't on the hook for an expensive salary.

Participation offers community buy-in on many levels including enticing people to volunteer, purchase tickets or donate to the cause. Participation equals marketing. Again, grants can be used to bring the Beck to the schools, which raises its profile to a new generation of theater lovers (who may encourage their parents to go see a show).

As far as the glitzy productions, if they make money, then bring them on. Commercial success can fund the ability to do all sorts of different things, including more experimental theater or something mundane like fund-raising and grant-writing.

Sometimes it seems as though these big productions would be a slam dunk to fill seats, but this is not always the case. The Cleveland Ballet banked on running Copelia nearly every season even though it kept losing money. They thought that people who gave money to the ballet liked that kind of production, but had no particular basis for that belief.

The Beck has always been a niche theater, much like the other smaller theatrical enterprises. There's nothing wrong with that.

I'm not suggesting that the theater would or could ever be a really solid commercial venture, but when you look at decades of, perhaps, less than stellar management, would you feel like underwriting a grant or a loan? If you have a fairly stable theater, you're more likely to find sponsorship, grants, donations, etc.

But it makes sense, if you want a great reputation and want their property, to offer a sweetheaet deal to the Beck's board. The Beck Center owns their property (not free and clear). I doubt that will be the case when they move.

[Jeff Endress]

But it makes sense, if you want a great reputation and want their property, to offer a sweetheaet deal to the Beck's board.

Problem is, simply put, that the ONLY offer would be for money to reduce the debt load, and then some more money to bring operations into the black (and then perhaps some more money to help fund specific programs). The city certainly doesn't have the resources. As DL pointed out, the foundations aren't likely to kick in, given the history. And so, while we can learn from the excercise of examining what caused the downfall, let's not loose sight of the fact that the Beck WILL be moving and that something will be taking its place.

We need to control what that "something" is, as opposed to reacting to what a developer tells us we want.

Jeff

[Joan Roberts]

OK, this is the part someone has to explain to me:

Let's say Mr. Stark (or Mr. Bean or Dr. Seuss or Sgt. Pepper) buys the Beck facility.

Let's say he wants to build a complex with an Applebee's, a Dollar Tree, and a Hummer dealership (trying to annoy everyone here).

What do WE do to stop him?

If we somehow could pass an ordinance (that would stand up in court) against low-end casual dining, cheap imports, and sales of gas guzzlers, what do we do when he says, "well, then, enjoy your abandoned theater, or your new parking lot"?

It seems as though the "vision" tends to be in the hands of the guy whose name is on the deed.

Right now, there are some folks on Sloane who aren't altogether thrilled about the "vision" of the Cliffs project. Like we saw there are folks in the east side less than ecstatic about Rockport Square. But they don't own the property.

Is there something I'm missing? What does the city or its residents do, other than say "please Mr. Stark, build something nice?"

I'm really, really, really not trying to be inflammatory or argumentative, just realistic.

[Jeff Endress]

The ever inciteful (misspelling intended) Ms. Roberts

Is there something I'm missing? What does the city or its residents do, other than say "please Mr. Stark, build something nice?"

Actually the city has quite a bit to say in the realm of development. While certainly if an owner wants to build something others object to, as long as he's using HIS money, beyond zoning, architectural review and so on, there's not much else the city can do. But, in the situation with major development, we all know that the developer will NOT be using his own money (at least not entirely).

There will most certainly be some form of city assistance in financing, a TIF, abatements, whatever. It is through the cooperative efforts of the city, using its various reviews as well as the financial incentives, that the city can see that Mr. Stark builds something nice.

Also, (and I could be wrong) but I believe that the City owns a necessary piece of the puzzle (perm Par. # 311-24-067, 1437 Wayne). That would also give a level of control.

Jeff

[dl meckes]

You are correct. The city owns the armory.

[Kenneth Warren]

The PD provides this positioning of messages:

“The city is going to work cooperatively with the Beck to explore every possibility of keeping it right here in Lakewood,â€Â￾ said Tom Jordan, Lakewood’s director of planning and development.

“Here’s where we are,â€Â￾ Unger said. “One, we need to figure out what the market is telling us. Two, we need to figure out what is the deal? Who are we serving, and how well are we being supported â€â€￾ or would we be supported â€â€￾ by the people who say they want to have us?â€Â￾

Source:

http://www.cleveland.com/weblogs/entertainment/

Market + Deal = s
? For Westlake
? For Lakewood

Kenneth Warren

[dl meckes]

Thanks for the link.

Finding a new home in Westlake is an option. But Unger said another is to redevelop the current site into a mixed-use retail/restaurant/cultural complex where parents could drop off their children for arts classes and then shop or eat nearby.

I look forward to Michael Gill's article.

[John Viglianco]

I wonder when Cain Park in Cleveland Hts. is going to move to Solon?

[Phil Florian]

What is the Beck? I think what we are seeing is the evolutionary growth from what was once The Lakewood Little Theater to the Beck Center Regional Theater and right now it is caught in the larval stage of this greater vision. It certainly isn't a traditional community theater in that it balances its audience pleasing shows like "Beauty and the Beast" and "Full Monty" with more edgy shows like "T.I.D.Y." and "Top Dog/Underdog." It certainly isn't a traditional community theater in that it pays many of its lead actors a weekly salary (Equity union actors, no less) and even as a supporting role a few years ago I picked up a stipend as did all the other actors. When I first stepped back stage at the Beck in the 80's as a young stagehand I somehow doubt that was the case.

It is certainly different from other community theaters because it really boasts a "Community" model better than most. It mates multiple performace spaces with a large art gallery (not just the big one on the East end of the building but the rotating one in the main lobby), a huge selection of classes for students of all ages in dance, music, acting, art, etc. They host their own season along with more community-involved performances like "The Show." It is a unique set up that really can't be found anywhere else in the city.

But I think it still morphing. How long before the enthusiastic amateur who at one time could hope to get in a larger show as a chorus member will suddenly have to look elsewhere as more and more paid talent is brought in for those roles? While it is fun to see a mix of amateur and professional folks in a show it is less fun when you are paying ticket prices on par with other professional companies who employ ALL professional actors.

So my personal feelings are conflicted. I will miss having a theater that is continually growing in respect and audience in town. A feather in our cap, if you will. But I won't miss the high priced shows and expensive classes that, for the most part, can be found within the Lakewood recreation program. Maybe not to the same quality as the Beck classes but for my daughter's only mild interest right now, they do fine. I think if we can replicate some other way things that the Beck did well (great community space, variety of shows, opportunities for local amateur actors to do their thing, etc.) then we will be fine. If our city doesn't make up the missing arts then I would be quite sad.

Sorry to blather on. This has hit home in a lot of ways as it was always just an assumed asset to the city that got rocked with almost no notice and no hint.

[Jim O'Bryan]

What is the Beck?...

Phill

All great points, and things to ponder, while we look at this. But as I read over the Plain Dealer, and Mike Gill's article, which is just a small part of his full piece, I cannot help but think of other "Hollywood Moments."

There is a huge difference between working things out in offices, hatching plans to work together, and seeing you partner in life splashed across the front page of a tabloid with "Beck Center Swapping Spit With Crocker Park." One would seem to mean that both parties love and respect each other and seek a FAIR and EQUITABLE relationship they want to keep going, and build on. The other is nothing more than a slap in the face.

When Jennifer Aniston saw Brad making out with Angelina in the Enquirer, she knew there was little to salvage from that relationship.

Me personally, I would lock the doors, and start charging for parking, and raise rates on the armory. From this point on I would see all talks as a way to stall the inevitable, and these things just get uglier. Let's take the high road, let them have Crocker Park, after all we are getting two businesses from Crocker Park moving here to Lakewood in the next three months. This office has gotten calls from two others that are considering the move as soon as their leases are up. Reasons for their move "Lakewood is much more affordable, vibrant, and a real city with people living within walking distance."

I would have to advise the city, to not waste one more penny or minute on this. Unger is quoted as saying this move would take 2-5 years, and costs $20 million dollars." My answer would be, "Mr Unger how will you last 5 years with no parking, and no public help from Lakewood?"

Speaking for myself, I cannot see the Lakewood Observer continuing to GIVE the Beck $156,000.00 in FREE advertising over that time period. I cannot waste the time, effort and money of Lakewood businesses and volunteers on building equity for Crocker Park. That would be insane.

Let's get the community together and rebuild Lakewood Little Theater, our once grand community theater. You can also see where the Beck tone has shifted. Instead of providing great affordable local productions, and hands on experience for younger children, they now seem worried about, "Having a place for parents to shop" while the children attend high priced classes.

The Beck location is perfect for the next group to come in. In the heart of Lakewood's Entertainment District, surrounded by plenty of parking, bars, restaurants, and HOMES. Since this story first broke at the Lakewood Observer nearly six months ago, I have spoken with like minded people that believe we could keep this momentum going while never missing a beat, or a show date. Some believe that it would be even more viable as a FOR PROFIT entertainment group.

I mean how are you going to keep them down on the farm after they have seen a painted up Jezebel, with silicone breasts and collagen injected lips, with a little vial of blood around her neck? I am sure Jennifer Anniston wondered, then took the high road and moved on.

Beck Center good luck, keep up the fine productions, enjoy your new life and don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

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[Joan Roberts]

I think Mr. Florian got it exactly right. When the Beck's mission changed from being a community institution to a second-tier regional promoter of professional entertainment, it would naturally follow that demographics, income, etc, would begin to play a more integral role.

If you are able to speak PR-ese, Mr. Unger's comments in the PD were reminiscent of those the minister made in explaining Lakewood UCC's move to Westlake. Basically, they both boiled down to "There are more people with more money out there. Next question?"

My gut tells me that the Beck Center should stay a performing arts venue, at least until it ultimately proves unviable as such. Facilities like that are rare, they're hard to build from scratch, and if the roof leaks, well, that can be fixed. Building a working stage is a little trickier.

Maybe the expectations get scaled back a bit, back to the future. Lakewood Little Theater. cooperative ventures with Cleveland Public Theater, Dobama, plus little things maybe no one has thought of yet.

For example, Apollo's Fire, the Cleveland baroque ensemble, plays its West Side concerts in a church.

I guess it just always seemed a little incongruous to me that a small facility in the suburbs was putting on "Miss Saigon," one of the most technically demanding shows of the last 20 years. If that's your mission, maybe a small venue jammed into a residential neighborhood isn't really what you need.

The key of course, is going to be working those angles and angels. I still have the sneaking suspicion there are revenue sources in Lakewood that aren't being tapped. That Y isn't being put up with bake sales.

Of course, these are all the ruminations of a total layperson with no inside knowledge. Maybe I'm wrong about all of it.

But Mr. O, remember that for as long as the Beck is here, their productions are part of Lakewood life. I hope you're not considering shunning them from the publication.[/i]

[Jim O'Bryan]

But Mr. O, remember that for as long as the Beck is here, their productions are part of Lakewood life. I hope you're not considering shunning them from the publication.[/i]

Joan

I will lobby the advisory board my damnedest to do just that. Luckily for everyone, it is not MY PAPER I have always viewed it as the city's paper. It was created to amplify Lakewood's artistic and intellectual capital. This is in our mission statement. Crocker Park appears no where in this mission statement.

They will always be welcomed as advertisers, at "Scale." They can always post on the board. We even created a special section for them they have never used.

As far as the time and trouble to rebuild, I beg to differ. Before becoming a mediocre broke publisher, I did bar and nightclub renovations. I would bet you (?) less than 6 months. On the Beck Footprint 1 month. I have been working on this a little longer than you, so maybe I see it differently.

To be honest I have put in writing to one council person who I talked with on this subject that I would be willing to take the project on myself. Heidi Hilty has the paper running incredibly smoothly, it would seem solid for the near term, I have been working on a couple LO productions anyway. I bet I could have a community show in under a month, a profit in 12 months, and it nationally known in two years or less.

The area is perfect for the proper form of entertainment that I would see as community plays, music, comedy. The stages are perfectly sized for a perfect fit with other venues in town, Civic over 3,000, Phanatsy 2,000, Winchester 800. It is in the heart of the Entertainment District, in a vibrant city with development ongoing.

This is a no brainer.

Joan, what can I say? I wear my heart on my sleeve.

----

Joan

A little test as you are now the publisher. Do you spend a full page or half page on a 16-24 page newspaper on a business we know is moving out of the city. Or do you give that to the business that has dedicated themselves to making it work in this city? Where a page might help them pay the rent and stay in business in Lakewood?


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[Joan Roberts]

I think you missed my point about the facility.

The Beck has an exisiitng theater. There aren't many places in Lakewood, to my knowledge, where that can be duplicated. Rather than make the Beck complex an office building, then try to amass the cash to renovate, say, the derelict Westwood, it just makes more sense to me to make keeping the Beck (or do we now start calling it the Lakewood Performing Arts Center?) what it is.

But the real reason for this second post is that I'm sure the Beck board has considered the cons as well as the pros of becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stark Enterprises.

In any kind of performing arts endeavor, there is the obvious tension between creatives and money. What if Mrs. Stark prefers an annual production of "My Fair Lady" or "Grease" to "Urinetown" or "Full Monty"? What if the members of her church don't like all the cursing at those quirkier "little" shows.

Over the years, the Beck has established its lines and limits with Lakewood (ugh, alliteration). Those little unwritten contracts now have to be negotiated all over again.

(One side note: Remember that, as a media mogul, you're there for the readers. I'm certain you'll be talked out of your instinct by cooler heads. )

[Jim O'Bryan]

Joan

I would imagine you are right on all counts.

But as I am feeling a little used and abused right now, let me continue.

I know at least 6 places that could cover if needed. One comes online in two years, McKinley, which would be a perfect fit in a perfect location. The place already has two theaters of almost the exactly the same size as the Beck, A massive parking lot that could be shared with the rest of the entertainment district, provides a great lead in to the Sloan business district and The Cliffs. We might have gotten this news at the perfect time. I know one of the groups looking at McKinley could be activated in months.

With at least two groups looking to turn this into a "Arts Building" with gallery, theater, music and living space. Do we concentrate on building Crocker Park's equity, or Lakewood's?

I have to think at some point this applies to the city, the paper, and the residents and sponsors.

I mean it is only Art until $$$$$ get involved and then it is ART BUSINESS. At that point we have to apply good business sense.

It would be best to keep the Beck Buildings intact, if it is not possible, we have other spaces, and we as a community will once again get a chance to prove we are better than others. We are dedicated to schools, arts, development and great live-ability.



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