WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey. April 2, 2009 UPDATED BATMAN ISSUES STATEMENT, 2:30 P.M. E.D.T.: Lack of money is forcing serious reevaluation of the White Plains Performing Arts Center “mission,” and programming for next year, according to John Ioris, Chair of the White Plains Performing Arts Center, Inc., the non-profit group that manages the theatre for the City of White Plains. It is also causing doubt whether Jack Batman, its Executive Producer whose contract expired this week will continue as Executive Director, Ioris disclosed today. Mr. Batman confirms he and Mr. Ioris will be having discussions about the theatre’s and his future.
In a follow-up statement to WPCNR at 12:30 PM, Mr. Ioris said that Jack W. Batman has completed his current contract (running through March, expiring March 31), but his return as Executive Director is “uncertain.” Ioris said “a lot of things have to align in the next 48 hours for that to happen (Batman’s return to WPPAC).” Ioris said, “we have to fund our obligations.” Ioris told WPCNR the current staff of the WPPAC is “still in place.”
In a statement issued to WPCNR early Thursday afternoon at about 2 PM, in response to WPCNR’S question early Thursday morning, “I take this to mean you are no longer associated with WPPAC, correct?”
Mr. Batman advised WPCNR:
I understand you spoke with our Chairman, John Ioris, this morning. As he told you, our Executive Committee will be meeting this evening and John and I will be having discussions through the weekend. By Monday we should be able to give you some indication of our future plans.
Thank you for your support and I look forward to seeing you at all our future shows.
Jack Batman, addressing the Common Council for an additional $150,000 in funding for WPPAC in April of 2008.
John Ioris, seated at head of table, with Mr. Batman at his right when the team addressed Common Council requesting additional money for theatre operations in the current season.
Ioris said the Executive Committee of WPPAC, Inc., will meet tonight to evaluate the non-profit’s financial future. He said the organization “did not want to dial back the quality” of its productions, but may consider not producing as many productions.
The last show of the current season, Hello, Dolly! to be directed by Jack Batman, the current Executive Producer of the theatre show may have to be “scaled back,” according to Ioris, or possibly substitute a show, but that decision has not been made yet, Ioris said, and show is still scheduled as of today.
Asked Wednesday about Mr. Batman’s continuing with the theatre for next season, considering that Mr. Batman is on one-year contracts, (and his contract has, according to Mr. Ioris expired two days ago), Ioris said that matter was a personnel decision.
Thursday morning, Mr. Ioris told WPCNR “Jack is still with us. I will be meeting with him in the next couple of days (on the program). We have to make some changes in this business.” Ioris said he and Batman would have to look at money available and decide what scale of season they could mount next fall, since season tickets traditionally go on sale in June-July for the coming season.
Ioris disclosed the Executive Committee would be meeting this evening to discuss these issues of programming and funding next season’s operation.
Ioris told WPCNR Wednesday afternoon that a fundraising gala, One Enchanted Evening is tentatively scheduled for the WPPAC on June 1 with a reception at 6 o’clock and key Broadway performers similar to galas past. A private reception for top donors was tentatively set for the Restaurant 42 afterwards. Pricing has not been set set but Ioris said he was thinking $125 to $250 a ticket. Wednesday, Ioris told WPCNR funding was critical, that philanthropy was down.
Ioris noted that the city refused to infuse more money into the theatre last year ($150,000 was requested last April from the Common Council). He said the theatre has an Operations Staff and Production Staff and depending on the scale of season changes may have to come.
Mr. Batman, in an e-mail to WPCNR said he would have a statement sometime today.
The White Plains Performing Arts Center, Incorporated, currently is in its sixth year of a 10-year contract with the City of White Plains to program the theatre. The theatre has a budget of approximately $1.2 Million.
WPPAC’S OLIVER this past fall.
