With everything else going on here and abrod, it may not seem an earthshaking turn of events, but it’s one of those neighborhood grace notes that deserves a little more time in the spotlight.
As reported in last week’s News, enough money has been raised by Intiman Theatre to move forward with its annual summer Theatre Festival.
This is good news for a treasured arts organization whose former debt load resulted in staff layoffs and cancellation of the balance of its 2011 season.
This summer’s festival will run June 22 through Sept. 15.
Last year’s festival and its fund-raising efforts signaled Intiman’s return and produced a surplus that carried over into this year.
Just as impressive, some 86 percent of this year’s donors contributed $1,000 or less — which reflects widespread, “civilian” support for the theater company, which, over the years, built a devoted regional following and a national reputation.
After its 1972 launch by founder Margaret Booker, Intiman called a number of venues home until it moved into the old Playhouse at the Seattle Center in 1987, which underwent a $1.2 million renovation.
The theater is known for its ambitious mix of classic American plays, international masterpieces, world premieres, contemporary productions and bold, new writing, as well as arts-education outreach, all of which helped garner the 2006 Tony Award for outstanding regional theater.
In 1994, Intiman’s achievement was recognized when it became the first regional theater in the nation awarded the rights to produce Tony Kushner’s two-part, Pulitzer Prize-winning “Angels in America.”
This is a considerable legacy, which includes such outstanding figures on its stage as Ted D’Arms, John Gilbert, Lori Larson, Megan Cole and Dennis Arndt.
Intiman is very much a vital part of Seattle’s — and Uptown Queen Anne’s — creative mix. Guided by a strong executive board, there is every reason to expect Intiman will be with us for a long time.
Someone famous once said there are no second acts in American life. We’re glad to report that bit of received wisdom is exaggerated.
Donations can be made at www.intiman.org/support or mailed to Intiman Theatre, P.O. Box 19537, Seattle, WA, 98019.
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