COUNTERPUNCH LETTERS : Delays Meant Survival for ‘Assassins’

The Los Angeles Repertory Company would like to apologize to all of our loyal and very patient patrons for putting up with delays besetting our production of “Assassins.” And to thank the theatergoing public that has been so supportive of L.A. Rep this year. However, I take deep offense at Gary Bolen’s attack on our theater company’s ethics and commitment (“The Show Must Go On! (Unless It’s ‘Assassins’)”), Counterpunch, April 24). None of the postponements or cancellations were due to what Bolen called short-term gain. In fact, the only gains made to L.A. Rep from our production were artistic. We, too, believe the show must go on, and all of our decisions were made for that very reason.

When “Assassins” opened in November in Theatre 4 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center and sold out its initial run almost immediately, we realized we had something special. There was far more audience than we could handle in our 68-seat theater. We began our quest to move “Assassins” into the 498-seat Tom Bradley Theatre.

We had great expectations when “Assassins” opened in the big theater. “Assassins” was a phenomenal artistic success, even better than the original production. It is also one of only a handful of productions in the history of “99-seat” theater to make the move to a larger theater and actually pay its artists. Aside from those at the Center Theatre Group, L.A. Rep’s “Assassins” is the only home-grown Equity production playing in Los Angeles.

But all dreams must face reality. “Assassins” did not sell enough tickets and lost a considerable amount of money each of the first two weeks, leaving us with no reserve. We faced the possibility of having to lose the show entirely after only two weeks, and disappoint thousands of ticket-holders. Instead, we canceled the Easter week performances and went to a shorter weekly performance schedule. This decision allowed us to continue two additional weeks, honor our commitment to our ticket-holders, keep more than 35 artists, tech crew and staff employed and give the show a chance to build the audience it so richly deserves.

PETER ELLENSTEIN

Managing Director

Los Angeles Repertory Co., Inc.