1001 and Marin

Thanks to everyone who sent notes of support about this little news item, noting that The Seafarer is set to replace 1001 in Marin Theater Company's 08/09 season. It's true, though it leaves out a significant chunk of the story. What's weird is, nobody seems to know how the item made it to press; it blindsided both the theater and myself.

Anyway, allow me to clear the air - 1001 is getting postponed until the 09/10 season for entirely pedestrian reasons having to do with production, scheduling, etc. This is a real postponement, not a "My Name Is Rachel Corrie" postponement, and I'm on board for it. I'm disappointed, of course, but so is the company - we all want the production now. In the end, however, it's the right decision for both the theater and the play. They've been good to me the entire time (not to mention they've already paid me for the rights). So don't worry, folks, this has nothing to do with Middle East politics (to my great dismay, 1001 has yet to actually offend anybody anyway). Nor does it have anything to do with a fear of programming unconventional work, unless by "unconventional" you mean "big and hard to produce."

In contrast, a few months ago another mid-sized regional theater had selected 1001 and unceremoniously dumped it. The way they handled that was so shitty that I briefly considered leaving theater altogether (something that still crosses my mind every now and again), and I'll certainly think twice about working with them again (I won't name them on the blog, but if you're really curious you can email me). This is not that. Marin Theater Company has been nothing but good to me throughout this whole process, and I'm still really excited about seeing the play go up in 2009.

So, yes, it's a bummer, and I am genuinely touched by those of you who had my back, but you can sheath your broadswords. 2008 continues to be an incredibly busy and productive year, with 1001 at Boston Court in LA and Mixed Blood in Minneapolis, Hamilton Township at Salvage Vanguard in Austin, This Storm Is What We Call Progress at Rorschach in DC, Box Americana at the O'Neill, and Maria/Stuart at Woolly Mammoth. The move to 2009 gives me a little breathing room. Don't cry for me, Blogentina!