THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 23, 1995 TAG: 9508230456
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER CHRISTMAN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ROANOKE ISLAND LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
Felix faded into the hurricane that never came, but the storm will affect ``The Lost Colony'' outdoor drama well into next season.
Producers estimate that the drama lost about $75,000 in revenue because the show could not go on last Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday - a crucial money-making week in the production's short summer season.
The play about the first English settlers in America in 1587 ends its 1995 season Friday night. Drama officials are hoping for packed crowds the last three nights.
``We're facing what could be a major budgetary shortfall for next year,'' said Eric Hause, public relations director for the drama. ``Felix impacted us financially in a really negative way. About 90 percent of our income comes from ticket sales, so when we cannot put on a show, it's devastating. Especially during the end of August, which is our busiest time.''
Felix's presence worsened an already grim financial picture for the outdoor drama. Despite a predicted 6 percent increase from the year before, wet weather in June caused attendance to be significantly low, Hause said.
The Roanoke Island Historical Association has instituted an Emergency Fund to help ``The Lost Colony'' raise money. Donations to the fund are tax-deductible.
One of the fund's unofficial spokesmen is Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight, who wrote a letter asking people to contribute.
``Your immediate help is needed and will have a direct impact on the show's well-being for the future,'' Basnight wrote. ``I urge you to be as generous as you can in this important endeavor and support this fund.''
Although Dare County lifted the two-day mandatory hurricane evacuation Thursday, ``The Lost Colony'' could not be performed Thursday night or Friday because sets had to be reassembled.
``We basically had to strike the entire show and secure the theater as if we were closing for the season,'' Hause said. ``And it took us a couple of days to get back in shape for reopening.''
While the theater has a no-refund policy for rain dates, it will give refunds for tickets purchased for performances between Aug. 15 - 18.
``The Lost Colony'' also had to postpone its celebration on Aug. 18 for the 408th birthday of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America. The drama will celebrate the birthday on Thursday, by casting local infants in the outdoor drama as the baby Virginia. ILLUSTRATION: 55TH SEASON FOR LOST COLONY
Thursday's performance will celebrate Virginia Dare's birthday with
the casting of four local infants as the baby Virginia in the drama.
Friday marks the last day of The Lost Colony's 55th season.
To make a contribution to the Lost Colony Emergency fund or to
recieve a refund for tickets not used between Aug. 15 - 18, write:
The Lost Colony, 1409 Highway 64/264, Manteo, N.C., 27954. For more
information, call David Bundy, director of development at 473-2127
or (800)488-5012.
by CNB