ICCT - The King and I opens at the Englert Theatre tonight, but we won't be able to review it. We requested a comp ticket so we could send a reviewer to the show, but ICCT indicated they did not think they would be able to offer one. They were going to try and find one for us, but we did not hear back from them.
We are a volunteer organization - no one makes any money from this venture. The only thing we offer our reviewers as payment is the chance to see a show for free. Before we began this blog, we asked all of the theaters if they would provide a comp ticket for reviewers and all agreed, including ICCT. We hope ICCT changes their policy for future shows as we believe that the actors, directors, techies and audiences want reviews. If you would like to see reviews of ICCT shows here, I urge you to call ICCT at (319) 338-0443 or email them at iowacitycommunitytheatre@yahoo.com.
If you see this show and would like us to publish your thoughts, email us at ictheatreblog@gmail.com.
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3 comments:
Very sorry to hear about the lack of a review. I'd just like to say that I am a member of the cast, and we are NOT getting any comps either. I am not too clear on policies, but I think it is primarily because this is an Englert show that ICCT does NOT have any comps to give away. The regular ticket price of $15 for an Englert show is pretty low compared to other community theater shows done in the same venue, and unfortunately I'm guessing the low ticket prices means ICCT is unable to subsidize comps at this point. I write this just to explain what's happening on the other side of the stage, not to critique ICCT's policies, or the blog's, for that matter.
Actually, ICCT CAN give away comps to shows at the Englert. The don't lose any money by doing so. At most, the Englert asks that ICCT pays the $1 "preservation" charge. Personally, as a theatre volunteer, I find it extremely tacky that comp tickets are not offered to casts. It's a SMALL way of saying "thank you" for your hard work and dedication to a show. Perhaps if ICCT is so hard up for money they could actually start writing for grants to help off-set production costs? Maybe hold a fundraiser for the theatre instead of only one for flood relief?
as the organizer of the flood relief benefit last summer, i have to say that the benefit was ORIGINALLY planned as a benefit for the theater -- and then a number of Board members thought it unseemly that something so... light-hearted would be done in the wake of such devastation. the benefit did very well, and if ICCT were smart it would try something like that again.
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