A Renaissance for the Performing Arts : Continued Private Donations, Resurgence in Interest Promise an Entertaining Season

The last few weeks have brought welcome news on the Orange County arts scene, a refreshing change from the gloom inspired by the county’s bankruptcy.

The Orange County Philharmonic Society plans to continue expanding its program, bringing back recitals after a three-year absence and increasing its offerings at the Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa and the Irvine Barclay Theatre. The Pacific Symphony’s guest artists include cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the Turtle Island quartet, which will feature works by jazz greats Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. The resident orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York has chosen the Performing Arts Center for its only Southern California appearances this spring, including a concert that will be the centerpiece of a fund-raising evening for the center, the opera and the philharmonic.

In fact, the enhanced programs of the groups that use the center mean that most available dates at the 3,000-seat hall are just about taken. Tom Tomlinson, who took over center operations as executive director last year and last month was named president, wisely has dusted off expansion plans. He has redirected donors’ attention to the original vision of the county’s arts centerpiece as a venue with not just Segerstrom Hall, but a smaller hall as well, plus a small theater. Expansion will be expensive, but a worthy goal.

The center recently announced that last year marked a reversal of a downward trend in ticket sales and donations--more encouraging news. Box office receipts totaled $2 million more than expected; fund raising yielded $5.1 million, again, more than expected. The donations are further evidence of the county’s support for the arts, most graphically exemplified in the financing of the $73-million center through private contributions.

With help from an improving economy, the center appears ready to celebrate its 10th anniversary next year in fine style.