Warner Crocker: 2013-2014

Beginning in January of 2013, the local press was filled with articles dealing with Wayside’s financial status and speculating whether there would be a 2013/2014 season.  One of the earliest of these articles appeared in January of 2013 and referred to the fundraising experience of 2011, noting that the Theatre was currently in the exact same financial crisis that it had been two years earlier. Wayside needed to raise $90,000 in 90 days in order to proceed with the season.  In some cases, the lack of funds was due to poor attendance.  Wait Until Dark ended its run with a deficit of $17,000 and the deficit for Glory Bea was $20,000. Another reason for the debt was the recession, with “corporate funding … 55 percent lower, and state and national grants down 50 per cent” (Lowe. “Director:  $90,000 in 90 ….”  TWS.  8 Jan. 2013).  A similar article on this crisis also appeared in the Northern Virginia Daily. 

A few days after these articles appeared, there was an update on the fund-raising effort. It was announced that $33,076 towards the $90,000 goal had been received.  Some contributions came from the “Suzuki violin students [who] raised $209 at a recent event at Apple Blossom Mall” and from Frederick County Middle School students selling white plastic pieces ‘Save Wayside’ bracelets for a donation.  So far more than $800 has been raised” (Lowe.  “Fundraising effort ….”  TWS.  30 Jan. 2013). 

A question/answer meeting for the public was held at the Theatre on February 20 at 7:00 p.m., chaired by former board member and theatre devotee, Malcolm Barr.  The conversation opened the eyes to some in attendance who were not aware that housing was provided by the theatre for visiting actors.  Another surprise was the cost of advertising and utility bills, as well the high cost of royalties to publishers for permission to perform the various titles.  In addition to these costs, the Theatre faced a more complicated issue -- that of pleasing the audience. For this, “Crocker admits, those who love the theater’s frequent musicals—a big part of Wayside’s patronage—tend not to buy season tickets.  But season ticket holders don’t want to see musicals.  The theater needs both kinds to survive” (Keelor.  “Wayside finances ….”  NVD.  21 Feb. 2013). 

The result of all the publicity and fundraising effort came to fruition with the announcement that they would be able to support a 2013/2014 season.  Wayside would not close its doors thanks to the efforts of many people and through generous gifts.  “Fundraising will continue along with a greater involvement of the board in marketing and fundraising, and two fundraising events: a car show in June, and a concert by Robbie Limon in December.  The assurance of the opening of the new season gave great hopes to all” (Lowe.  “Curtain to rise ….”  TWS.  19 Mar. 2013).

Later in March, more details regarding the Theatre’s expenditures and staffing situation were explained.
Where does the money raised go?  Salaries for the actors and staff cost
approximately $450,000 per year.  The rest of the almost $700,000 budget
goes to benefits and payroll, taxes, production costs, housing, theatre
management, utilities and depreciation, insurance, interest and bank fees,
the miscellaneous other.  Ticket sales do not come close to even paying for
salaries.  Sales, concessions, classes and others bring in a relatively small
amount of money.  The theatre relies on fundraising for over $250,000.
 
The theatre has taken steps over the past year to cut its spending.  When
the general manager and the development director left the theatre, their
positions were not filled.  Three intern positions were eliminated. The pro-
duction manager is no longer.  The scene designer and technical director
roles were merged.  The theatre abandoned its Actors’ Equity Union contract,
reducing the number of higher paid union actors.  The marketing and advertising
department were dropped.  Production costs for each show were reduced (Golden.
“I’m not sure ….” Frederick County Report.  8-21 March 2013).

The gloomy headlines in the local press detailing the financial status of Wayside Theatre were balanced with positive reports that the financial picture was improving, which meant that the 2013/2014 season did open.  The following titles were announced for the upcoming season:      
Church Basement Ladies. June 1 – 30, 2013
Boeing Boeing. July 13 – August 11, 2013
            I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. August 24 – September 22, 2013
            Frankenstein. October 5 – November 3, 2013
            A Christmas Carol. December 2013
            Southern Crossroads. January 25 – March 16, 2014
            Mark Twain’s Is He Dead? March 29 – April 27, 2014

The season’s first offering was originally announced as Good Ol’ Girls, a show about modern Southern Woman with entertaining stories about great gals from childhood through old age. It isn’t clear why the season opener was changed to Church Basement Ladies. 

Little information was found in the Theatre’s files about this production other than one review that began,
If there is one thing the mixed bag of women making up the ‘Church Basement
Ladies’ know how to dish out, it is their opinions ….  From the moment each walks
through the kitchen doors, her take is obvious on the current situation … whether
it is the pastor’s new wife … or the church changing the hymnal covers from black
to red.

The reviewer continues by stating that the show “has a nice range of music with rousing numbers where the characters let loose and dance on the table … to quieter moments with some home-spun wisdom” (McFarland.  “Wayside church ladies rule.”  TWS.  7 June 2013).  The review sums up the show perfectly!  

A keyboard was the only musical accompaniment used for the show.  It was played by the musical director and placed up center stage stage from “the kitchen’s pass through window but doesn’t distract from the action” (McFarland.  7 June 2019).  However, in the 1976 production of Lil Abner, the keyboard had been placed in a similar position and one critic commented that this was a distraction to what was taking place on stage and that another location would have served better.  But, in 2014, this seems to have gone un-noticed. 

Boeing Boeing, the second show, was called “a first-class farce, complete with a set containing seven doors,” began one review.  “It’s a raucous swan song [for Crocker] with plenty of storming around, hijinks and low jokes but no theme more complicated or thought-provoking than ‘keep your lies straight.’ ”  After crediting the costumes and the high energy performances, the reviewer concludes, “It’s a bit of a bumpy ride, but it’s fun, no wings fall off, and the crew is competent and self-assured” (Lawrence.  “Timetables, turbulence ….”  CSE.  25 July 2013).   

Boeing Boeing turned out to be more than just the season’s second show.  It was the last show ever to appear at Wayside Theatre, ending its glorious 50-year history.  Crocker’s position was terminated by the Board while Boeing Boeing was in rehearsals, but he was permitted to complete the rehearsal process and see the show through the opening night performance.  In the program, he was listed as Guest Director. 

The opening night of Boeing Boeing began on a sad note.  In his opening remarks, Crocker mentioned this was the last play he would direct at Wayside. At the end of the performance, Crocker and his wife, Thomasin Savaiano, came on stage during the curtain calls and received emotional hugs from the cast. 

At the opening-night reception, held in the Curtain Call Café following the performance, Crocker extended his appreciation to the cast and crew for their excellent work, and followed with an emotional farewell speech about his years at Wayside.  He credited “Thomasin’s 10 or more years of work with youth through Wayside’s ‘Young Actors’ Workshops,” as well as her many appearances on Wayside’s stage (Barr. “Emotions high at ….”  Warren County Report. Late July 2013).  Another farewell was offered by former mayor of Middletown, Mark Brown, crediting the Theatre’s role in the life of Middletown and among its business community.  He regretfully pointed out that there were no members of the Middletown Town Council present at this farewell performance.  Although Middletown officials were not represented, many former interns and actors, some from DC, some local, were in attendance. 

As a side-note, actor Daniel Westbrook, who appeared in Boeing Boeing, once mentioned he had a connection with Wayside, although this was his first appearance on its stage.  It seems his grandmother had been connected with the Theatre during its early days.  Attempts to follow up on this have not been successful. 

Due to lack of funds, the inability to meet payroll, coupled with the huge debt, Wayside Theatre closed its doors before the run of Boeing Boeing was completed.  The offices were emptied, the building was put up for sale, and the era of professional Theatre in Middletown came to an end.    

The theatre building was soon purchased with the goal of transforming it into a brewery. The interior was completely gutted:  the seats were sold, the stage area totally removed, leaving the interior as a large, empty space where once the audience had sat and actors had performed.  What had been the men’s dressing room was transformed into the kitchen area for the restaurant.  The Curtain Call Café was slightly enlarged and, for a time, it was a popular luncheon spot.

The plan to produce local brews has not been successful and the building lies vacant. What had once been a center for theatrical entertainment for the Shenandoah Valley came to an end due to financial reasons, and the once active Wayside Theatre has been transferred to only a memory.