Resignation blamed on financial difficulties, overextension issues

John Beane has had a huge impact on local theater since his beginnings at the Onyx about two years ago. Under his managership, the state-of-the-art, 96-seat playhouse always has had something going on, and he's unified fractions of the performing arts community.

So it was surprise to get an e-mail Nov. 24 announcing his resignation effective immediately. Of course, when someone resigns "effective immediately," it's natural that your antenna goes up.

Reliable sources say part of the change is due to financial difficulties at The Rack (a fetish shop within which the Onyx is located), which prompted the powers that be to severely reduce Beane's pay and limit productions. Also reportedly at issue was Beane's tendency to become overextended.

Onyx owner Mike Morse and Beane both confirmed that Beane will continue to mount productions as artistic director of Insurgo Productions. Morse said he also will continue hosting the Onyx's Off-Strip productions, which mounts several shows a season, and will spearhead fundraisers to keep it going.

There may be good news in this. Beane's a director, producer, actor, author and designer who has the making of an artist. But his work tends toward the sloppy. And you can't be a genuine artist if you don't attend to details. I have no doubt that a more centered Beane could easily result in productions worthy of his talents. ...

Remember the old days when the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' Performing Arts Center sponsored, under Myron Martin's leadership, a series called "Best of the New York Stage"? The title told you what to expect. Current artistic director Larry Henley changed the name to "New York Stage & Beyond," and I never could figure out why. He explained in a recent View article (by Danielle Nadler) that the alteration was to broaden the program's focus. I think he's broadened it so much that it has no focus. The last show I saw there was the Song and Dance Ensemble of West Africa. What is this program about? I miss the consistent New York angle. ...

In a rave review of "The Diviners" -- the latest production at Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing and Visual Arts -- I wrote that I wished I could be in a room full of people discussing the beautifully vague ending. Director Glenn Edwards took me up on that by inviting me to a chat with the cast and audience following a performance. I had a theory about the ending which absolutely no else agreed with, and I was amazed at how well the students backed up their arguments. It's exciting to be in the presence of people who care so much about their craft.

Anthony Del Valle can be reached at DelValle@aol.com. You can write him c/o Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125.