[Though an arduous journey for Sanders, the humble impresario noted his is a backseat on the producing team.] I actually asked her if she would put her name above the title as a presenter as well as a producer and she said 'I can't do that to you, you've been working on this for eight years, I'd never do that.' ... My name doesn't sell two tickets, put your name on the marquee. |
Based on what Oprah has seen in rehearsals, she has been very enthusiastic about everything the show is doing creatively, |
Chicago is a terrific theater market. It's also the home of our director, Gary Griffin, and it wouldn't go unnoticed that it's also the home of Oprah Winfrey. |
I always thought Celie's journey was universal, |
I didn't want to believe the 3.8 percent number published in the League's little research book. That wasn't the way we would sell this show. We deliberately went out and created a marketing plan that would appeal to audiences of all races, genders, ages - everyone. |
I don't want people to get the notion we're getting fat and happy. The budget is lean. It's more honest in where costs are being incurred and clearer on where the costs are. |
It's a question of how do we pay those personnel costs. There are two main choices - raise property taxes or create a franchise fee on gas and electric. We're not seeing opportunities to decrease expenditures without harming services. |
Read these for the characters and tales, yes, but above all for the language, which seems to rise from the very springs of invention. |
That's another reason the mayor thought it was attractive. It keeps the money here in Council Bluffs. |
The budget being approved by the council is the operating portion. |
The key point to the budget is that there are only two staff increases. The budget is status quo with the exception of two new positions in the police department. People need to understand we're not hiring a bunch of people or growing the government with the exception of those two people. |
The only person I told was [director] Gary Griffin. She took her jet in, we hid in the next room. And I came in and asked the cast to get on the stage and said 'Someone called me out of the blue about a week ago and said they really love the show and heard great things about it from friends and she wants to get involved and I want you to meet your newest producer.' That door opened, Oprah Winfrey walked in and the cast went insane. |
We all have obstacles to overcome and while our life's journey may not be identical to Celie, I think that triumph over adversity and moving on and finding self-love and yourself and your voice is something that we all need to do. I didn't feel like it was a black story or a woman's story, I thought it was universal and always thought the story sang, that it had so much music in its soul. |
We have to have a popular price for this show so that anyone who wants to see ‘The Color Purple,’ regardless of their income level, can afford to come, |
We think we'll thrive in Chicago. |