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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 7, 2015)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2015 Keep Keith Clark I n response to the edito- rial “Don’t keep us wait- ing” (The Daily Astorian, July 23): After reading the editorial about the Astoria Music Festival, I am sad to say that the paper has pre- sented a biased view of what has been going on inside the Festival’s 13th year. The ed- itorial puts all the blame on the Astoria Music Festival’s artistic director and conduc- tor, Keith Clark, and on the boards, not just the current one, but also the past boards of directors. The editorial, instead, supports the paid staff, which has been in position just the current year; before that, board members did everything to support Ar- tistic Director Keith Clark, who devoted his time fully to planning, organizing and directing the programs and musical content of the Festi- val, which are of the highest quality. Under his leadership the Festival has reached rave reviews, a great internation- al reputation over the last seven to eight years, and re- ceived several awards. Internal problems only arose after the Festival hired paid staff last year. Some FRQÀLFWLQJ LGHDV DERXW WKH different roles of the artistic director and the managing director and the consultant came to light. This is basical- O\ ZKDW FUHDWHG WKH GLI¿FXOW situation: Lack of direct and honest communication, that in the end resulted in Keith Clark being pushed out as the overall director of the Festi- val he founded. He never wanted to leave the Astoria Music Festival, as the editorial mistakenly concludes. The current board members kept him in the dark about his, and the Festival’s, future by not endorsing him as the conductor and artistic director beyond the 2015 Fes- tival. Even worse, someone behind the scenes is known to have contacted another con- ductor to take over the Festi- YDO,QVSLWHRIWKHVHGLI¿FXO- ties, Keith Clark continued to put together another superb program of professional clas- sical music. He has done this for a dozen years without any ¿QDQFLDOFRPSHQVDWLRQ It is important to recog- nize that Keith Clark, as the co-founder of the Festival, has been its key leader for the last dozen years, ever since the Festival’s beginning. Board members change each year— the one constant is the artistic director. The previous boards have supported his vision and efforts fully until this year. During my three years as the president of the board of directors, we never had any problems in communication, and with that, Maestro Clark felt that he was free to lead using his great talents and su- perb persuasion. He has done DOO WKLV XQVHO¿VKO\ DQG ZLWK- out asking for money. He has done it for the musicians who want to perform under his leadership, and to bring great classical music to the North Coast and Astoria. If he is now forced to re- sign because of inaccurate reporting, the Astoria Music Festival will never be what it has been known as: a small town festival with great talent, world class performers and an artistic director of internation- al stature. The small commu- nities of Astoria and the North Coast cannot afford to lose an XQVHO¿VK DFFRPSOLVKHG DQG talented music director. He is the one individual who can keep the Festival alive and well for another dozen years. LEENA MELA RIKER Past president, Astoria Music Festival Gearhart ‘Cinderella’ is great I want to encourage The Dai- ly Astorian readers to catch a performance of the musi- cal “Cinderella” at Fort Co- lumbia Theater in Chinook, Wash. What a delightful way to spend an evening. With the sweeping score by Rodgers and Hammerstein, and the im- pressive vocal talents of the cast, we left the theater with that magical, musical lift in our steps. I’d say the vocal talents of this cast rival any professional company. My favorite scenes were the step-family songs, FRIDAY EXCHANGE 5A As a resident of Seaside, I have to say that I feel his ob- servations are spot on. I have no way of knowing the actual statistics, but it seems to me on stounded, I read the editorial by she’d been dreaming of, happily leav- dishonorable behavior they advised the each of these incredibly traf- the managing editor, whose many ing the Columbia River Maritime Mu- board that, without Clark, they would ¿FFKRNHG VXPPHU 6DWXUGD\V writings I’d previously assumed came seum position. He also recommended no longer grace the stage of any fu- that a large portion (perhaps as from some position of integrity (“Don’t Linda Magee as a management con- ture music festival in Astoria. I guess much as 50 percent) of the traf- keep us waiting,” The Daily Astorian, sultant to the festival. Hardly “hesitant Clark’s “backstage persona” couldn’t ¿FRQ5RRVHYHOW'ULYHLVSDVV July 23). This attack on the man who and resistant” actions. through, with no intention of be all that “repellent” to his most valu- stopping in Seaside. gave Astoria the most beautiful music These two women began months able players. Why, oh why, are we forc- festival, by one who obviously did not ago to undermine our maestro, subvert So, with end of season books still ing these folks (including Mr. even interview the maestro, is alarm- his position as artistic director, and open, this “professional” board re- Rolfe), who simply wish to go ing. control his every move with respect to signed, leaving all closing work un- past Seaside, to endure these Maestro Clark, for 13 years, has the musical operations and artistic op- done and unbalanced. And Shepherd KRUULEOH WUDI¿F VQDUOV" 1RW WR brought marvelous international musi- erations of the festival. They both vied and Magee, and a “publicity chairper- mention, of course, the resi- cal brilliance to our little city, frequent- for absolute control of all functions; son” resigned, after pulling in the larg- dents of Seaside (like myself) ly at his own expense. He has engen- not the other way around, as this edi- est salaries this festival has ever paid in who hunker down in their dered loyalty, joy, and gratitude among torial implies. its history. homes during these periods to hundreds of volunteers during these The board, all season long, refused Yes; the ball is in Maestro Clark’s avoid getting caught up in this festivals, and a tremendous sense of to discuss Clark’s position for the 2016 court, where it belongs. His detractors for even a simple trip, say, to community as Astorians have opened season, leaving him to produce this all deserted when their tactics came to the library. our hearts and homes to his performers year’s phenomenal music, all the while light. The Astoria Music Festival con- Recently I was in Beaverton and family. We have come to see the in limbo regarding his future position. tinues, with the love and support of taking care of some business month of June as “What we live for, :KRSXVKHGZKRPRXW" Astorians, who appreciate the gift that when, in learning that I live in each year!” Boards do not produce ticket sales; Maestro Clark and his phenomenal per- Seaside, the proprietor’s wife It was Clark who instigated the grant performers do. And, when the perenni- formers. described to me how, on a re- to fund Carol Shepherd’s position, and al stars of our festival, who bring in the ELAINE BAUER cent Saturday, she came out to he encouraged her to apply for the job patrons, learned of the management’s Astoria the coast to drop of her daugh- ter with her grandmother in and the wicked stepsisters re- chanting musical evening of for more information, tickets Service animals are not to Gearhart, when she came upon ally steal the show with their theater entertainment. and to volunteer. be left unattended. Owners are VWRSDQGJR WUDI¿F VRPH GLV- hilarious antics. I’m not really SUZANNE KELMAN PENNY RIPLEY responsible for harm, damage, tance out on U.S. Highway 26, one for musicals, but this one Langley Ocean Park, Wash. disruption caused by their ani- caused, of course, by the back- was just fabulous. mal. If the dog is barking in the up from Seaside. It’s being presented by or the movie, it is grounds Apparently, what should Service animal facts mall Peninsula Association of Enchanting show for removal. Same with animal have been a relatively brief n appreciation for the won- ell ... The Health Depart- damage to lodging — lodging trip turned into one of some Performing Artists (PAPA) derful cast and crew of the ment is in error (“Service may not charge a fee for a ser- extra hours. All I could do through Sunday, Aug. 9. See was to extend my condo- www.papatheater.com for Peninsula Association of Per- dogs only,” The Daily Astorian, vice animal. forming Artists’ (PAPA) cur- July 31). One may not ask a dis- tickets. If you’re not a disabled lences and commiserate with PAMELA CROMWELL rent production of Rogers and abled person what function the American, your pet is not al- her a bit on our city’s lack of Long Beach, Wash. Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” service animal performs. That lowed in stores, restaurants, or consideration for passersby, I must say that it is truly an LV FRQ¿GHQWLDO PHGLFDO LQIRU- interior places where food is like herself, by not vigorously pursuing a bypass. enchanted show. mation. Businesses may require served. Play is delightful I understand that projects There are only three dates a person with a “service ani- Fred Meyer is in error in had the privilege of attend- remaining for you to also mal” to document that they are their statement that “only cer- of the magnitude of a bypass ing a performance of Rodg- catch the magic at the Fort indeed a disabled American. WL¿HG VHUYLFH DQLPDOV´ DUH past Seaside take years from ers and Hammerstein’s “Cin- Columbia Theater. Each actor The Americans with Disabil- SHUPLWWHG 1R FHUWL¿FDWLRQ LV WKH RQVHW WR IXO¿OOPHQW ZLWK derella,” staged by the theater brings their own special touch ities Act (ADA) provides this required, but the owner must many players (the Oregon De- company the Peninsula As- and talent to the event and optional inquiry, and disabled be disabled and able to prove partment of Transportation, sociation of Performing Art- draws the audience into the $PHULFDQV KDYH LGHQWL¿FDWLRQ disability if so requested. Dis- the county, the city, and, per- ists (PAPA). Having worked experience. We are so bless- to prove their status. abled Americans can prove haps even the feds) involved. in theater myself for over 40 ed in our area to have such a Service animals are not li- who they are, without excep- However, if we, the residents years, I had traveled from wealth of talent and Barbara FHQVHG FHUWL¿HG RU RWKHUZLVH tion. of Seaside, and our elected Whidbey Island, Wash., for a Poulshock has again encour- documented. This rationale is GEORGE BERGERON RI¿FLDOVGRQRWVHHNWKLVDQG vacation, and I was excited to aged the best from everyone intended to prevent disabled Astoria plan for it, it will never hap- SHQDQGWKHWUDI¿FZLOOVLPSO\ see a local show. involved. Americans from being required get worse. The show takes place in It has been a personal jour- to jump through complicated Pursue a bypass Do we really want Seaside a historic theatre in Fort Co- ney for me to be associated documentation hoops in order have now read Cleve Rolfe’s ZHHNHQGWUDI¿FWREHOLNHUXVK lumbia State Park. It’s rustic, with this dedicated group, and to have a service animal. These open letter to the Seaside hour on the Interstate 5 bridge and wild exposure sets you I encourage everyone to take days, service animals are pretty up nicely for the delights of advantage of the opportuni- much limited to dogs, with some powers-that-be regarding the across the Columbia in Port- this vibrant theatre company. ty to experience this theater VSHFL¿FDOO\ JUDQWHG H[FHSWLRQV Seaside bypass (or lack thereof) ODQG" *ULGORFN" 7KDW¶V ZKHUH Greeted at the door by the cast ¿UVWKDQG &RPH SUHSDUHG WR 1RLGHQWL¿FDWLRQLVUHTXLUHGRQ WZLFH¿UVWLQThe Daily Astori- we are headed if we do not soon in costume, you feel more like be entertained, surprised and the dog, although most service an, and secondly in the Seaside begin to pursue a bypass. ROD DAWSON family than audience mem- share the laughter and joy. animals wear ID, generally a Signal (“Need a bypass,” The Daily Astorian, July 10). Seaside bers. Check www.papatheater.org “service animal” vest. As the show opens, lively FKLOGUHQÀDQNHGE\DVSLULWHG godmother, played by Jane Schussman, take to the stage as ensemble actress Erin Glenn gives a luminous invi- tation beckoning the audience to come along on this journey with her. As the story unfolds, I was enchanted by the gentle and innocent performance of Hope Bellinger, whose beau- tiful voice was perfect for the role of Cinderella. She had been well paired opposite Ron Thompson, who conveyed an earnest and sincere per- formance as the prince, that tugged hard on the audience’s romantic heartstrings. Added to the mix was just the right amount of humor from the stepmother, played by Pam Cromwell, and her two comedy sidekicks, played masterfully by Grace Scarbor- ough and Zoey Powers. All of this nice casting made for the perfect recipe for a very en- joyable version of this long- time family classic. The other standout come- dic performance was given by Jonathan Cole, who played a very lively version of Lionel the Stewart. His comedic tim- LQJ ZDV ÀDZOHVV DQG DORQJ with great facial comedy and a faultless British accent he kept the audience very en- tertained. An exuberant king and queen, played by Richard Babhikoff and Christina Su- kadorf, were very entertaining too, and the rest of the cast drew us in with their audience participation and lively sing- ing and dancing. I would also like to give Here in Oregon, thousands of businesses and individuals are saving money with a nod not only to the director help from Energy Trust of Oregon. With cash incentives for energy improvements, Barbara Poulshock, who did a we can help you get more from your energy. amazing job of pulling all this together, but also to the cos- tumer and prop designer, who explored some very innova- tive ways to overcome some RI WKH PRUH GLI¿FXOW FUHDWLYH challenges of staging Cinder- Are you ready to get more from your energy? ella. Visit www.energytrust.org/more or call us at 1.866.368.7878. All in all this is a wonder- ful wholesome entertainment for the whole family. Helped Serving customers of Portland General Electric, along by the magical musical Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas. accompaniment of a Rodgers and Hammerstein’s score, it is just the right blend for an en- Support the Astoria Music Festival A I W I I OREGON MANUFACTURERS. LOCAL BUSINESSES. YOUR NEIGHBORS. ALL GETTING MORE FROM THEIR ENERGY.