I normally don’t write about the behind-the-scenes work done by theaters in the South Sound because, ultimately, the butts in the seats don’t care about the theaters they visit other than that they got their money’s worth from the show.



But a recent development in the local theater scene has some implications toward that goal.



See, the Federal Way City Council awarded a contract to Centerstage Theatre that has the nonprofit theater troupe set to run the city’s Knutzen Theater, where it performs its works. At first glance, it seemed like a logical choice since Centerstage is the theater’s main tenant and the move would let the theater company offer more programs and stand on more solid financial footing by allowing it to control its production dates and expense.

A management proposal submitted by Tacoma Musical Playhouse, which was submitted on the request of the city, at first seemed odd, but had potential to be a big boost for the local theater scene.



TMP is, after all, the most successful community theater troupe in the South Sound, but also the West Coast in terms of subscriber base and revenue. Not having that collective genius of the TMP team at an often-overlooked theater in south King County seems like a lost opportunity. But it is an opportunity that was lost because TMP withdrew its proposal after Centerstage’s Artistic Director Alan Bryce said he would either shut down or move the theater troupe if TMP won the contract and forced him to be a tenant of another theater company.



It seems a bit petty. But such is the cutthroat world of local theater, especially in times of economic slowdown. More theaters should learn the lessons TMP can teach. Local theatergoers would be better served by it.

Loot

On another front, the shoe-string troupe in Olympia, Midnight Sun Productions is staging Loot, directed by Tom Sanders. The show is a parody about death, religion, law enforcement and justice that takes swipes at all the good social and sexual taboos society holds.



[The Midnight Sun Performance Space, through April 25, 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, $12 at the door or at buyolympia.com, 113 Columbia St. N.W., Olympia]