Orpheum Theatre Annual Report 2017 ORPHEUM THEATRE 2017 1St Quarter BOOKINGS
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Orpheum Theatre annual Report 2017 ORPHEUM THEATRE 2017 1st Quarter BOOKINGS First quarter 2017 gave Classic Film Series kicked off with Titanic, followed by every indication that the Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Cool Hand Luke. Wichita year will be a strong one Public Library once again sponsored an all-day free for the Orpheum, full of screening of the Academy Award Nominated Shorts. diverse programming and reflecting the Orpheum’s Always looking to expand film program offerings, ongoing commitment to develop strategic partnerships and reach new highlight the best in national audiences, the Orpheum partnered with local classic touring acts as well as local rock radio station 104.5 the Fox to introduce a new and regional producers of film series featuring rock movies. The series opened performing arts. with This is Spinal Tap, followed by The Who’s Tommy (complete with pinball machines courtesy of United Concerts continued to play Distributors, Inc). a prominent role in the Nicholas Walsh singing lead vocals for Classic Albums Live. Photo by Douglas Hahn. Orpheum’s programming Two longtime local presenters returned in the first mix, with Classic Albums quarter. Amira Dance Productions held their annual Live’s note-for-note recreation of Led Zepplin II, The recital featuring 90+ local dancers highlighting Drifters, Eagles tribute, Hotel California, ABBA Mania, dance styles from around the globe. The Society Bay Area favorites, Tower of Power, and a solo, of Professional Journalists held their 49th Annual acoustic concert by Travis Tritt that was as powerful Gridiron, a series of satirical sketches featuring local as it was intimate. journalists singing, dancing and generally poking fun at local and national celebrities and politicians. The America’s Got Talent winner, The Olate Dogs, serious side of Gridiron is that each year they raise charmed their audience with heart-warming tales thousands of dollars for journalism scholarships. of how the dogs were rescued and trained as well as with an array of amazing tricks. PBS staple Odd Additionally, the Orpheum hosted two rentals that Squad Live! brought its math-based sleuths to the catered to new constituencies. Gabriel Swaggart Orpheum to challenge and entertain a crowd of brought his rally to the Orpheum in February. enthused young people and their parents. Imparables El Show, a comedy featuring two of Mexico’s best-known comedians, was presented Film filled a number of nights on the Orpheum’s first entirely in Spanish to two large and enthusiastic quarter. The first of event of the year showcased local crowds. The Orpheum is committed to finding ways filmmaking talent with the premiere of Home on the to reach out to all elements of the Wichita and Range. Later in January, the Orpheum teamed up surrounding areas communities. with Tallgrass Film Association and KMUW to offer a free community screening of Mrs. Doubtfire. The 2 ORPHEUM THEATRE 2017 1st Quarter Q1 Events January 13 Home on the Range Premiere 19 Classic Film Series: Titanic 20 Mrs. Doubtfire 21 Fox Film Series: This Is Spinal Tap 28 Classic Albums Live: Led Zeppelin II February 4 The Drifters 10 Hotel California ABBA Mania entertains on Valentine’s Day. Photo by Douglas Hahn. 14 ABBA Mania 15 Tower of Power 16 Classic Film Series: Bram Stoker’s Dracula 18 Academy Award Nominated Shorts 18 Fox Film Series: Tommy 24 Gabriel Swaggart Rally 25 Odd Squad Live! March 4 Amira Dance Magic 11 Imparables El Show (two performances) 16 Classic Film Series: Cool Hand Luke 18 The Olate Dogs 19 Travis Tritt 21 Boys & Girls Club Private Film Screening 30 Gridiron 2017: Doo Dah Land Tom Politzer on sax for funk, soul, R&B group Tower of Power on Feb. 15. 31 Gridiron 2017: Doo Dah Land Photo by Douglas Hahn. 3 ORPHEUM THEATRE 2017 1st Quarter THEATRE OPERATIONS Before The Drifters Over the last quarter Vaughn welcomed 12 new concert on Feb. 4, volunteers from recruitment efforts as well as word Orpheum staff and of mouth from current volunteers. All the staff and volunteers arrived volunteers are excited to have new team members on early to pose for a new board. volunteer group photo, taken by Douglas At the front of house, Orpheum staff found a local Hahn. store owner who had a use for the large display case that once held merchandise, but had been mostly Orpheum volunteers are very pleased to now be empty for months. This change improved traffic flow standing on a nice new concessions floor mat. Upon by opening up more room for patrons to enter and exit their request House Manager Bailey Vaughn ordered the main bar, and theatre entrance doors. the new mat which makes their standing time during events much more comfortable. In February, a much-needed, new fire escape was installed, replacing the original 1922 apparatus. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT During the first quarter of 2017, the Orpheum Theatre and board dinner on Jan. 24, hosted by Harvey and hosted monthly meetings for two local community Stephanie Sorensen. All Orpheum and SMG staff groups. On Jan. 4, Wichita Arts Forum held its monthly attended as well. gathering of local arts organization leaders. Then on Feb. 6, Orpheum president Diana Gordon lead a On Jan. 25, Diana Gordon, theatre tour for the Old Town Rotary Club. along with past president Mary Eaves, attended the The Orpheum Theatre partnered with Tallgrass Film quarterly meeting of the Association and KMUW to host a free community Kansas Historic Theatre film screening. To get the public involved from the Association hosted by the beginning, the Orpheum announced the event and Historic Anthony Theatre. Pictured left to right: Mary Eaves, Diana Gordon, posted a poll on Facebook allowing fans to vote for the Mary Curtis of Sedan Historic Theatre movie they most wanted to see. Mrs. Doubtfire won by On Mar. 21, the Orpheum hosted 100 elementary overwhelming majority and was shown on Jan. 20. school students from the BOys & Girls Clubs for a free screening of The Sandlot 2. Orpheum Performing Arts Centre held its annual donor 4 ORPHEUM THEATRE 2017 2nd Quarter BOOKINGS Second quarter of 2017 had the broad array of he held his breath underwater in a 500 gallon water programming for which the Orpheum strives and is tank, onstage, for five minutes. The story of how increasingly known--concerts, comedy, dance, magic, theatre staff got 500 gallons of 98 degree water into movies…something for everyone. that tank is one for another time! Musical performances included Masters of Soul, Music Theatre Wichita sold out yet another of their Stephen Fite, Todrick Hall’s Straight Outta Oz, Blues Jester Awards ceremonies, wherein local high Traveler, Pat Metheny closing out the Wichita Jazz school actors and technical students are honored for Festival, bluegrass favorites The Steel Wheels, indie excellence in theatre. music hero Conor Oberst, Pink Floyd tribute Brit Floyd (with one of the most amazing light shows to ever Last, but certainly not least, there were plenty of films. grace the Orpheum stage!) and blues guitar master The smash hit of the Orpheum’s classic film series Jonny Lang. was The Princess Bride. Not only did it sell out but we had to turn quite a few folks away at the door. May also featured two more sold out shows from Bobby Bones, marking the fifth sold out show he has The Orpheum Theatre teamed up with the film performed at the Orpheum since 2015. producers/directors of three films to present them at the theatre. These included Academy Award- Humorists David Sedaris and Brian Regan performed nominated I Am Not Your Negro, Star Wars-inspired to large and appreciative audiences. The theatre also 5-25-77 and an encore showing of locally-produced hosted One Woman Sex and the City, a parody of the Home on the Range featuring a Q & A with the noted hit HBO show. stars, as well as a musical performance by Michael Martin Murphey. The theatre teamed up with the producers of a new adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, featuring Wichita’s Other films included Pink Floyd’s The Wall, another own Madison Dylan. The afternoon, filled with two installment in the Fox Film Series, and Classic Film performances, was a success for all parties involved. Series titles Wayne’s World and E.T. the Extra- Increasingly, the Orpheum is looking for creative Terrestrial. partnerships like this, to reduce risk and increase reward. To top it all off, the Tallgrass Film Association presented the Down to the Wire Top 10 Showcase Dance was featured when Brigham Young University with record-breaking attendance of over 1,000 presented Living Legends of Dance, a tour of native filmmakers, friends and supporters. dances from North, Central and South America that charmed and impressed its substantial audience. So far, 2017 has been a great year at the Orpheum Theatre and it looks as if momentum will surely Magician/illusionist David Blaine blew away his sold- continue into the final two quarters. out crowd with his amazing feats. To mention but one, 5 ORPHEUM THEATRE 2017 2nd Quarter Q2 Events April 1 Gridiron 2 One Woman Sex and the City 5 Stephen Fite 6 Masters of Soul 7 Todrick Hall’s Straight Outta Oz 9 Blues Traveler 15 Wichita Jazz Fest presents Pat Metheny 20 Classic Film Series: The Princess Bride (sold out) 22 Alice in Wonderland Live (two performances) 27 I Am Not Your Negro 28 Fox Film Series: The Wall 30 David Sedaris May 2 BYU presents Living Legends 6 Dyck Arboretum presents The Steel Wheels 12 MTWichita presents Jesters Awards (sold out) 13 Lone Chimney Films presents Home on The Range Multi-instrumentalist Conor Oberst.