Center boasts strongest season yet

Young Chang

COSTA MESA -- It would be an understatement to say that the Orange

County Performing Arts Center is “Stayin’ Alive.”

According to preliminary numbers announced Thursday at an annual

meeting of members, ticket revenues increased by $1.6 million during the

2000-01 season, for a total of $16.3 million, and the Center Fund

exceeded $7 million, which is a first.

A feat of magic by Cinderella’s fairy godmother?

More like hard work, said Jerry E. Mandel, president of the Center.

“We had significantly increased ticket sales,” he said. “Fund-raising

was up, and we have really good, solid, tight management.”

Mandel added that this year’s figures are the best since the Center

opened 15 years ago. He credits the revenues of the first year to the

opening galas that raked in contributions. During subsequent years since,

the Center’s been more than able to pay “Rent.”

The major players to increase ticket sales this season, which ended

June 30, include such ladies as “Carmen,” “Gizelle” and all of the

characters that made up the year’s ballet program.

“The ballet ticket sales far surpassed what we had projected,” Mandel

said. “First, we had fabulous ballet, and second, ballet audiences are

coming back.”

Which isn’t surprising for Center officials, even in light of the

slumped economy. With South Coast Plaza being one of the two most

profitable shopping centers in the country and with county residents

flocking to the Center’s shows more than ever, Mandel’s an optimist when

it comes to Orange County’s economy.

“All along, the economic pundits have said it’s more in the minds of

some people than in reality,” he said. “Clearly tech stocks are down, but

if you look at Orange County, it’s a very solid economy.”

Figures for next season’s ticket sales have already surpassed this

past season’s, which leads Mandel to conclude that economic activity is

not affecting theatergoers.

“I think it has to do with the quality of things that go on stage,” he

said.

Through artistic partnerships with Opera Pacific, the Pacific Symphony

Orchestra, the Pacific Chorale, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County

and, of course, Center-presented events, productions on stage have

included “Rent,” “Cinderella,” “La Bayadere,” “The Magic Flute,”

“Saturday Night Fever,” “Carmen,” “Der Rosenkavalier,” “Annie Get Your

Gun” and “Fosse.”

Stars included Helen Reddy, Peter, Paul and Mary, Sally Kellerman, and

Dionne Warwick.

“Southern California is a remarkable place,” Mandel said. “You can

choose to do just about anything here, and the fact is [people] are

choosing to come here in record numbers.”

From the Center Fund’s more than $7 million, $500,000 will be

allocated to the Endowment Fund, $500,000 will go toward the Center’s

programming reserve -- specifically, education programs -- and part of

the fund will also be placed in a reserve for power and energy costs.

With new facilities predicted to open by late 2004 with the Center’s

$200-million expansion project, the future looks bright, said Todd

Bentjen, vice president of marketing and communications.

“I think all indications are that we’re going to have another strong

year,” he said. “And we’re confident that the community will support us.”

* Young Chang writes features. She may be reached at (949) 574-4268 or

by e-mail at o7 [email protected] .