WPCNR STAGE DOOR. WPCNR Interview with John Ioris Chair of the White Plains Performing Arts Center Foundation. June 2, 2009: One Enchanted Evening, the first White Plains Performing Arts Center fund-raiser in two years gave the beleagured White Plains city theatre a fresh start last night, raising according to its Foundation Chair, over $50,000 towards next year’s season.

HONOREES AT WPPAC ONE ENCHANTED EVENING GALA : (L to R, Event Co-Chair Ann Bernstein, Honoree Isabel Villar, Honoree Marsha Gordon, Event Co-Chair, Susan Egginton, Honorees Barbara and Richard Dannenberg, and WPPAC Chairman John J. Ioris. Photo, Courtesy, White Plains Performing Arts Center

 John Ioris, right, and Jack Batman,left. WPCNR News Archive

John Ioris, the Chair, indicated that the WPPAC's Executive Producer, Jack Batman would continue to be the driving creative force as the theatre moves forward, and that the number and scope of the fall season productions depended on further fundraising efforts. Ioris tentatively held out hope the current season ending would produce the theatre's first surplus.

The $125 a ticket benefit held at the WPPAC opposite the White Plains Common Council meeting, filled the theatre close to capacity with a last minute walk-up sale according to John Ioris interviewed by WPCNR today. Ioris called the show produced by Executive Producer Jack Batman and featuring a luminescent lineup of Broadway stars and WPPAC performers a fabulous production.

He said receipts were still being counted from the last minute sales, the silent auction receipts, and raffle as of this morning. Irosis and estimated the benefit’s handle to be $50,000 plus. The 2009 Mercedes Benz C300 Sport Sedan was not given away, Ioris said,  because the 1,300 Raffle Ticket threshold (at $50 each) needed to present the motor car  was not reached.

Yes, there will be a 09-10 Season

Ioris said the Executive Committee for the Foundation would meet next week to strategize on what kind of productions will be produced in the 2009-10 season for the theatre. Ioris said the theatre was wrapping up its books on the current year and thanks to the Gala, and the savings achieved by postponing the last production of the current season, Hello, Dolly!, the theatre may show a surplus for the current year – which would be the theatre’s first “profit.”

Ioris, commenting on the upcoming Executive Committee meeting said of the fall season, “ We have to make sure it fits our business model (financially), in the number of shows produced and the size of shows.” and the schedule will be announced “a few months out.”

Batman Returns

Asked if Jack Batman, the architect of any success the theatre has had in its six years, would return in a producing role, Ioris said , “he’s still here. He’s never really been out of the picture, and he’ll be directly involved in planning the new fall season.”

Ioris did not indicate what Batman’s official title would be moving forward or elaborate on his role.

Foundation Presses On Running the Theatre. City Contract Runs 4 More Years

WPCNR asked if the city had any plans to relieve the current foundation as operators of the theatre. The White Plains Performing Arts Center Foundation as a contract with the city to operate the WPPAC for four more years (having a ten year contract awarded in 2003).

Ioris said, “We’re  going to be around a long time. We’re not going anywhere.”

Cue Dolly

 Ioris said “we’re currently figuring how and when we are going to produce Hello, Dolly!  Refunds for season subscribers and ticket purchasers had been offered on the show when it was postponed officially two weeks before its opening scheduled for April 30. The theatre had asked subscribers to not ask for refunds to support the theatre and at assured them the show would be eventually produced at a future date.  

Ioris praised the work of Ann Bernstein and Susan Egginton as Co-Chairs for their work in making the gala a fiduciary hit for the theatre. “They did a terrific job,” Ioris told The CitizeNetReporter. “Subscribers came out and supported us. They were throwing checks to us at the door. They supported us.”

Ioris promised more fundraising efforts in the near future, saying the WPPAC is looking to raise a $500,000 budget.

Monday evening’s soiree honored Barbara and Richard Danneberg, Dr. Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester and Isabel Villar, Founding Executive Director of El Centro Hispano, Inc.

The entertainment was followed by an After Party at the 42 Restaurant, hosted by Chef Anthony Goncalves.