A step forward for Carmel PAC

August 13, 2009
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The announcement that Steven Libman, former managing director of the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, is taking on the same job for the Carmel Performing Arts Center is a strong indication of the aspirations of the powers that be behind the under-construction facility.

La Jolla, in case you don't follow theater, is a San Diego company co-founded by Gregory Peck that is now considered one of the top theaters in the nation. A past winner of the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, it launched such shows as "Big River," "The Who's Tommy," "I Am My Own Wife," and "Jersey Boys."

Word that negotiations are under way with pianist/singer/historian Michael Feinstein to serve as artistic director for Carmel PAC is another interesting sign.

At this point, though, what exactly will be presented in the building is just speculation. Will it be a home to established performing arts companies from the region? Will new companies be lured here to populate it? Will it bring in on-the-road acts, filling in some of the touring talent gap created by the loss of programming at the Pike Performing Arts Center and cutbacks in scheduling at the Madame Walker? Will community organizations be a part of it?

Personally, I'm looking forward to more arts offerings in the region, whether inside or outside of 465. I'm just anxious for more information. And I suspect that fund raising -- a key part of Libman's new gig -- will be even more challenging than usual without potential funders knowing what we can expect to see on the CPAC stages.

So what are your hopes for CPAC? Any advice for Libman?

Your thoughts?
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  • H RamseyAugust 13, 2009 10:20 AM
    The CPAC is a music venue. It is not an opera house like Clowes Hall. It will not host plays. With only 1,600 seats ticket prices are going to have to be really steep to make a performances economically feasible.

    Time will tell whether there is any demand for this endeavor. One thing is sure, they are sparing no expense. So far, the local arts community has noticeably stayed away from this project. I'm not sure what that means if anything.
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  • MGAugust 13, 2009 11:48 AM
    As a player in the local community symphony, I can't wait to leave the nomadic life behind--all the while playing in what should be a fantastic acoustical space.
    I'm hopeful that many other perfoming groups will take advantage as well!
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  • SteveAugust 13, 2009 11:57 AM
    H Ramsey is correct. This is going to be a concert hall, not a theater. I think it's a shame that it wasn't wasn't designed so it could be both. It could have been. This limitation will definitely challenge Mr. Libman. I don't know and can't imagine what Mr. Feinstein's role will be but I will be watching carefully.

    The local arts community is understandably biding its time to see what the reality of the building turns out to be. There's no reason why they should commit themselves prematurely to any programming in this unknown venue.
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  1. First, the Athenaeum is going to have to get past the hurdle with the Lockerbie residents and the agreement that the parcel would be residential. Second, and in my opinion, this prime piece of property should include parking, PLUS, a black box theater(s), some market rate and affordable artist housing and a plan to renovate and reconfigure the second story theater. I would negotiate to add the DeHaan property surface parking lot into the development mix, place a one story surface parking garage on the DeHaan lot on the street level (for the Dehaan tenants use during the daytime) and add a second story to the garage that would become an addition to the current second story theater and then change the direction of the theater by moving the stage across the alley and on top of the DeHaan lot parking. You can add all the stage elements that are currently missing from the Athenaeum stage to make it more attractive for use by Ballet, Opera and traveling productions. Plus, the theater changes would probably help solve some of the soundproofing issues. Alas,it does not seem to be a part of the strategic plan to conduct a study to determine best use of the property. Seems like the current plan is a quick and easy move that ignores the property best use/potential and any strategic property planning for the effect on future generations.

  2. I recall that MSA's pilings are still in the ground and hard to remove. It’s not likely any proposal will include significant underground construction/parking because of this. Start adding 2 floors of retail, 8 floors of parking and 5-10 floors of possible hotel, and/or 10-20 floors of residential, and you are at 30 floors already with possible expansion of all the uses. But then again I could be wrong.

  3. Accoriding to their website there is no deadline to the Do Not Call list. What is this article referring to??

  4. On what planet are they entitled to this largesse from the stockholders? These people make multi-million dollar salaries: Pay for your own personal travel.

  5. It matters because they're already paid enormously fat salaries: Pay for your own personal travel. Being "taxed on it" isn't a valid excuse--so what? They're still being gifted a raft of luxury perks from somebody else's money on top of an enormous, lavish salary.

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