Nevada Conservatory Theater suffers loss from theft
Anyone seen a suspicious light board anywhere?
The Nevada Conservatory Theater was in the middle of a production run recently when "a very expensive" light board was stolen from its Black Box.
"The building was locked at 10 p.m. on the Sunday of (a technical rehearsal)," department chair Brackley Frayer explained, "and when I came in Monday morning around 9 a.m. it was gone."
Theater personnel notified not just the police, but all the lighting companies in town in the event someone tries to sell it. They're also attempting to get the word out nationally.
The equipment was labeled with a unique code and requires a password to operate.
"It was big loss," Frayer said. "This was a very expensive computerized light board. We used it for productions as well as in the classroom. We will have to rent from now on unless it turns up somewhere."
How did NCT get through its production?
"Luckily, Cirque Du Soleil came through and loaned us a board so that we could finish (our show)."
Frayer declined to say how much the board is worth, but another professor put the figure in the $30,000 range.
In a recent column, I talked about the apparent habit of some local actors to perform under the influence. Steve Dacri, a local "close-up" magician (he appears at the Hilton's Shimmer Showroom at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays) had some strong feelings about the subject.
"As I was mailing out tax forms to actors who work for me (I own a production company), I was reminded of how many of the actors I had to fire or warn about getting stoned before a performance," he wrote. "They insist they were great, naturally, but to me as a director and many audience members, they were giddy, sloppy, and yes, we can smell it. The professional actors knew better. They treat the show like a job, and most jobs won't allow you to drink or smoke while on the clock."
Dacri admits he once partook "decades ago" while doing a magic act at a college.
"I recall standing there more than a few times wondering what I was supposed to do next, losing concentration here and there. I promised myself that I would never again jeopardize my career in such a way."
Opera lovers should be happy to learn that the international Opera in Cinema program is back on the boards, with high-definition broadcasts at the Rave Town Square 18. The shows are broadcast live (with one encore performance), and as you watch the audience stroll about during intermission, you get a strong feeling that you are part of the premiere-night crowd.
Mozart's "Abduction from the Seraglio," from Barcelona's Liceu Opera House, played Wednesday, and featured major artist Diana Damrau. Next up is Verdi's "Simon Boccanegra," from Milan's La Scala, scheduled for Thursday, starring Placido Domingo stars. Show times are 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and cost 20 bucks -- a bargain for a you-are-there opera experience.
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.
