THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 27, 1994 TAG: 9411240214
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Ida Kay's Portsmouth
SOURCE: Ida Kay Jordan
LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
We blew it!
Thousands of people came to Portsmouth to see the Moscow State Ballet last weekend and we looked shabby.
A reviewer for The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star was not picking on Portsmouth when she panned Willett Hall in an otherwise good review of The Nutcracker by the Moscow State Ballet.
Sue Smallwood was on the mark in criticizing the sound system as well as the general unprofessional mood of the auditorium while praising the ballet company.
Before I read Sue's comments, I attended the Sunday afternoon performance. When I got home Sunday night, I read her review of the Friday performance. I couldn't agree more with her.
As a very vocal proponent of Willett, I was upset.
Problems started literally at the front door. The line to get in backed up because the young woman taking tickets couldn't tear them and had no place to put the stubs.
Once inside, there were too few ushers. Programs were piled on a table for patrons to help themselves.
Fortunately, I knew where my seats were because I know the auditorium. Many people there did not feel as comfortable as I did, I'm sure. Surely, we could find adults who would volunteer to serve as greeters, ticket-takers, ushers and trouble-shooters when there is a major performance at Willett.
Before we get away from the program, it was, as Smallwood wrote, very amateurish. There were no program notes. I didn't know who was dancing the leads because the program failed to say and there were two prima ballerinas doing alternating performances.
I don't know who was responsible for the printed program, but I do know that Willett Hall administrators should have some control over the quality.
Although the weather is out of anybody's control, there is no excuse for a leaking roof that caused enough damage to close one of two stairways to the balcony because the ceiling tiles were falling down.
As a result of the closed stairway, the restrooms, which happen to be on the side that was closed, were not visible to the hundreds of patrons who filled the balcony. Downstairs, the line to the women's restroom stretched across the lobby. Upstairs was empty. A sign upstairs would have enabled those sitting in the balcony to use that facility.
Furthermore, the upstairs facility had a door that wouldn't shut and a broken lock. There's no excuse for a thing like that, which just reinforces a negative image of Portsmouth.
But let's get to bigger issues.
Why is the roof leaking? Six years ago the city spent $2 million to refurbish Willett Hall. The project began because the roof was leaking and the city needed to spend money to replace the roof and inside ceiling materials.
Six years later, the roof is leaking and the ceiling is damaged. I know things happen to roofs and that rainy weeks like last week sometimes cause problems. But why didn't we catch this leak before this past week? Certainly, we should have noticed it before so much damage occurred.
Finally, what is wrong with the sound system that cost more than $40,000 in 1988?
Unfortunately, the Moscow State Ballet did not travel with an orchestra, so the music was taped. It had to go through the sound system.
The sound was raucous and blaring. The music was loud and one-dimensional. It was like a rock concert, offensive to the ears.
I don't know what has happened to the system, and I was unable to reach the people who installed it.
I can't believe the system should be in such condition in six years unless it has been abused. Nor can I believe the Moscow State Ballet tape was at fault.
What was going on with the sound? City officials should ask some tough questions about that. If persons who lease the auditorium damage the system, they should be billed for repairs. If we are not maintaining the system, somebody should be called on the carpet.
Somebody has to take responsibility for the physical facility. Willett Hall is basically a wonderful place for a serious concert. Many people don't believe it.
I had hoped the Moscow State Ballet's choice of Willett for this premier would begin a new day for the auditorium.
After this past weekend, when thousands of people from other cities were attracted to Willett Hall, we're going to have an even harder time convincing them. MEMO: Do you have a compliment, criticism, suggestion or story idea? The
Currents would like to hear from you. Send your thoughts to The
Currents, 307 County Street, Suite 100, Portsmouth, VA., 23704-3702, fax
us at 446-2607 or call us at 446-2612.
by CNB