02-18-2010, 12:11 AM
In my opinion, and I say this with all sincerity, the Genesee Theatre is the only asset the City of Waukegan can boast about.
Although it took a lot of funds, restoring the Genesee to it's current beauty was one of the best decisions made by the city fathers.
I cannot stress this enough...SMG, the currerent managing entity, is the absolute best thing to have happened to the Genesee Theatre. It is a large company, yes, but it has INTERNATIONAL resources, global connections & the reputation to back up and maintain one of the most diverse theatre/stadium/concert hall programs in the world.
The SMG extended contract will be up in July of this year (it was extended once, 3 years ago).
The City Council, as you have read, has voted to call for a "Request For Proposals" or RFP. An RFP means that literally anyone, any company who can fulfill the basic requirements of the RFP can sit at the table & be considered a viable player for the managing of the theatre.
As taxpayers, you want your councilmen to complete their due diligence. Calling for the RFP is the right thing to do.
Choosing another company, to replace SMG, is the absolute WRONG thing to do.
I do not work for SMG. I do not have a stake in the management of the Genesee.
My interest comes in only seeing the Genesee continue to provide world-class entertainment right here in your backyard, and for a fair price.
Naturally, I am not a fortune teller, but I fear that if the Waukegan City Council votes to end the contract with SMG and persue another company, "everything" that has been built to date will be lost, and the theatre will have to start from scratch. This would be a horrible mistake.
If you've attended any recent city council meetings, you've heard that the city is intersted in providing more programming to cater/encourage participation from the latino & african american population. Go over to the theatre and inquire as to how many shows have been cancelled due to poor ticket sales. SEVERAL. Each time the Genesee attempts to program to the minority population ticket sales are generally poor and the event is cancelled.
We must demand that the Genesee Theatre maintain the quality programming that it's done over the last 5 years. Think about all of the wonderful performances you've attended there...
Bill Cosby, Jerry Seinfeld, Ringo Star (a BEATLE right here in Waukegan!), Kenny Rogers, Kenny Loggins, Journey, REO Speedwagon, Larry the Cable Guy, George Lopez, Gallagher...and that's just off the top of my head!
There are a few groups chatting it up with the alderman and mayor, offering them promises that I can almost guarantee they won't be able to fulfill.
SMG is a class-act, and they are trying hard, day after day to bring good, diverse programming to our lovely city.
If you love the City of Waukegan as much as I do, please take a moment to contact an alderman...ANY alderman, and tell them you want SMG to remain at the Genesee.
I would hate to see the hard work and successes of the last 5 years go straight down the tubes. This could be a serious reality if SMG is voted out. Please don't let this happen.
THanks, Westleigh
Although it took a lot of funds, restoring the Genesee to it's current beauty was one of the best decisions made by the city fathers.
I cannot stress this enough...SMG, the currerent managing entity, is the absolute best thing to have happened to the Genesee Theatre. It is a large company, yes, but it has INTERNATIONAL resources, global connections & the reputation to back up and maintain one of the most diverse theatre/stadium/concert hall programs in the world.
The SMG extended contract will be up in July of this year (it was extended once, 3 years ago).
The City Council, as you have read, has voted to call for a "Request For Proposals" or RFP. An RFP means that literally anyone, any company who can fulfill the basic requirements of the RFP can sit at the table & be considered a viable player for the managing of the theatre.
As taxpayers, you want your councilmen to complete their due diligence. Calling for the RFP is the right thing to do.
Choosing another company, to replace SMG, is the absolute WRONG thing to do.
I do not work for SMG. I do not have a stake in the management of the Genesee.
My interest comes in only seeing the Genesee continue to provide world-class entertainment right here in your backyard, and for a fair price.
Naturally, I am not a fortune teller, but I fear that if the Waukegan City Council votes to end the contract with SMG and persue another company, "everything" that has been built to date will be lost, and the theatre will have to start from scratch. This would be a horrible mistake.
If you've attended any recent city council meetings, you've heard that the city is intersted in providing more programming to cater/encourage participation from the latino & african american population. Go over to the theatre and inquire as to how many shows have been cancelled due to poor ticket sales. SEVERAL. Each time the Genesee attempts to program to the minority population ticket sales are generally poor and the event is cancelled.
We must demand that the Genesee Theatre maintain the quality programming that it's done over the last 5 years. Think about all of the wonderful performances you've attended there...
Bill Cosby, Jerry Seinfeld, Ringo Star (a BEATLE right here in Waukegan!), Kenny Rogers, Kenny Loggins, Journey, REO Speedwagon, Larry the Cable Guy, George Lopez, Gallagher...and that's just off the top of my head!
There are a few groups chatting it up with the alderman and mayor, offering them promises that I can almost guarantee they won't be able to fulfill.
SMG is a class-act, and they are trying hard, day after day to bring good, diverse programming to our lovely city.
If you love the City of Waukegan as much as I do, please take a moment to contact an alderman...ANY alderman, and tell them you want SMG to remain at the Genesee.
I would hate to see the hard work and successes of the last 5 years go straight down the tubes. This could be a serious reality if SMG is voted out. Please don't let this happen.
THanks, Westleigh