Their Web sites say it all. Both Theatre Babylon and Theatre Under the Influence created online fundraising links for a new performing space in the wake of the fire marshal's closure of the Union Garage's largest theater.
If they can't raise the money to improve their current venue, both companies may need to find a new home.
The two fringe companies share the Union Garage at 1418 10th Avenue, which has two performing spaces: a 50-seat performing area and a 64-seat performing area.
As reported in The Seattle Times on March 5, the Seattle Fire Marshal's office limited audience capacity in the building to 49 people due to inadequate fire exits and other code violations.
Theatre Under the Influence temporarily shut down their production of "Blasted." The play reopened on March 11 at the Intiman Playhouse at the Seattle Center. Intiman donated its space to A Theatre Under the Influence to help the company complete the show's scheduled run.
"It has not been decided yet whether Influence's next show, 'Nanawatai,' can be produced [at Union Garage] or if it will be moved," said Influence's production manager David Nochimson.
"Our company is currently having to operate out of our front space only, while we work with the Union Garage and the Fire Department to bring our venue up to code," said Theatre Babylon artistic director John Longenbaugh. "We're meeting with county and city officials to see if they can offer us assistance, and they've been helpful and encouraging."
Longenbaugh anticipates no problems in opening Theatre Babylon's next show on time. The world premiere of Gregory Hischak's surreal comedy about the Wright Brothers "The Center of Gravity," was scheduled to begin previews on March 25. Theatre Babylon will use the 50-seat "front space" for all performances.
"However, it's also clear that Theatre Babylon will be in need of assistance, both financial and otherwise, in the next few months as we work to either keep the Union Garage as a viable venue, or begin working to find a new home for our theater company," Longenbaugh said.
Craig Bradshaw, Amy Frazier and James Venturini founded Theatre Under the Influence in 1994. The company moved into the Union Garage Performance Center in 1995 along with Theatre Babylon, who had outgrown its original Eastlake studio space. The companies decided to rename their space the Union Garage because of its proximity to Union Street and the large green garage door left over from the building's former incarnation as a livery stable.
The two companies later helped remodel the space into two theaters. Union Garage had been used year round by Theatre Babylon and Theatre Under the Influence as well as by such events as the Seattle International Fringe Festival.
As reported in The Seattle Times, costs for bringing the Union Garage in line with current fire codes could range from $20,000 to $30,000, a huge sum for a pair of fringe theater companies.
Although "Blasted" was originally scheduled to close on March 13, the play's run will extend one week due to the change in venue. Directed by Matt Fontaine, "Blasted" features Eric Ray Anderson, Mike Pham and Sharia Pierce. The American premiere of the late Sarah Kane's play is part of Theatre Under the Influence's Declarations of War, a season devoted to war plays.
Theatre Under the Influence's next scheduled play "Nanawatai" tells the story of a Soviet soldier abandoned by his unit in Afghanistan and is scheduled to open April 30.
Currently, both Theatre Babylon and Theatre Under the Influence are welcoming suggestions for dealing with the Union Garage problems as well as donations. They suggest checking their Web sites to find out the current status of performances as well as information on how to help. Theater Babylon's Web site is www.theatrebabylon.org. Theatre Under the Influence can be found at www.theatreinfluence.org.
"Blasted" continues at the Intiman Playhouse, 201 Mercer Street, on March 17, 18 and 20, with all shows starting at 8 p.m. Tickets can be reserved on the Union Garage's phone 720-1942, or advance tickets may be purchased by credit card from Ticket Window at 325-6500 or www.ticketwindowonline.com. Tickets are $15 for all performances except Thursday shows, which are Pay-What-You-Will. Discount tickets are available for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more for $10.
Rosemary Jones writes about arts and entertainment for the Capitol Hill Times. She can be reached at healingpgs@aol.com.
[[In-content Ad]]
