Several resident companies in the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center "are pretty disgruntled," according to David Barber, the facility's production manager.
And with good reason.
Since it opened two years ago, the venue has had something of an identity crisis. Architecturally, the building doesn't say "theater."
Driving by the building on 300 South, it looks metallic and trendy — sort of like an office building, or maybe a bank. (Box office will-call ticket windows do resemble bank tellers' cages.)
Until recently, at least the various occupants and presenters — such as Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company and Plan-B Theatre Company, among others — could hang banners on the outside of the building. But the Salt Lake mayor's office has ordered the banners removed.
"At the moment, we're in violation of the city's sign ordinance — Section 21A.46.150H," Barber said.
Kurt Proctor, who is co-producing the regional premiere of "Tale of the Allergist's Wife," which opened last week, is also unhappy with the situation.
And I don't blame him.
He has a brand-new company putting up its first show. Theatergoers know where Salt Lake Acting Company is . . . or Hale Centre Theatre, which (gasp!) has an electronic marquee right on the street! Apparently West Valley City isn't quite as staid as Salt Lake.
Barber said the facility had budgeted for a marquee this year, but there were a number of budget cuts "and that's not a priority over other operating necessities." (It took the stately old Capitol Theatre, a couple of blocks away, several years to finally have a marquee installed.)
With no other way of announcing to prospective patrons that "here we are," banners or other temporary signs are desperately needed for the performing arts companies to get their message across.
Barber is meeting with city officials later this week to discuss the issue. "We're getting vibes that the city is willing to chat about it. Perhaps there's a way we can work around the issue and develop a policy that would satisfy their concerns."
Meanwhile, the Rose Wagner Center's occupants will just have to hope that audiences find them.
And they'd better not try a sandwich board on the sidewalk. After all, the companies are supposed to be selling tickets, not collecting them from the sign police.
IS IT A COP-OUT? Or did the Tony Awards nominating committee do the right thing last week — awarding 10 special "Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre" to all of the principal singers in Baz Luhrmann's current Broadway production of "La Boheme"?
Considering that the four major roles of Mimi, Rudolfo, Musetta and Marcello are double- and triple-cast — highly unusual for any Broadway production, the cluster of Tony Awards is probably the best way of honoring the performers.
This means, of course, that Salt Lake native Lisa Hopkins will be receiving a Tony Award. She's one of the three rotating Mimis.
E-mail: ivan@desnews.com