Busy busy...

Just received this urgent missive from Susanna, who reports on the latest publicity about our fundraising campaign:

• The Redmond Reporter has, just in the last week, been doing more blogs about SSR, has published a preview article on the Christmas Cabaret, and just wrote an editorial on why the theatre should be saved.
• Caitlin and I have been interviewed for the Puget Sound Business Journal.
• I have been interviewed for the Eastside edition of City Arts magazine, December issue.

All this on top of the continuing progress on our Facebook Cause -- and stay tuned for news from Saturday night's gala, "Vegas or Bust"!

Listen to SSR on the Radio

SSR's Artistic Director Susanna Wilson and longtime company member Danny Miller went into the studios of KKNW Radio this week to appear on the alternative talk station's morning show, "The Menage". Here's a link to their interview with hosts Jennifer Austin and Julie Mains. Thanks for putting us on the air, folks!

SSR's "Vegas or Bust" Gala is this Saturday!

Now is the time to "ante up" for SecondStory's annual fall gala, this year entitled Vegas or Bust! It's going to be a lively, tasty and delightful evening... and it's one of the best ways you can help keep SSR from closing.

Just $50 per ticket gets you a fabulous evening of Vegas-style games, fantastic food, musical entertainment from SecondStory performers, silent and live auction items, and more.

The fun begins at 6:00 pm with fantastic hors d'oeuvres by our favorite hosts, Starry Nights Catering. A wandering magician will dazzle you with hilarious tricks. Try your hand at our "Wine Toss" game and win a bottle of something yummy. As the evening moves along, you'll hear songs from our upcoming holiday musical, "A Christmas Cabaret" and even a bit of show-tune karaoke! Then there'll be a live auction of fantastic items, like a trip to the Tony Awards in New York -- followed by Vegas-style games of chance ranging from trivia contests to "Bloker", a cross between blackjack and poker!

But the big and magical night is this Saturday. Hurry and get your tickets now!

Fundraising Campaign Coverage

The traditional press and the blogosphere have been spreading the news about our "Save SecondStory" fundraising campaign. Keep yourself up to date, right here on our blog!

The latest web coverage:

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/red/news/69403757.html

http://redmondcity.blogspot.com/2009/11/second-story-repertory-needs-80000-to.html

http://thesunbreak.com/2009/10/28/redmonds-secondstory-rep-facing-bankruptcy

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/iss-s/news/67034697.html

Thanks to all of these folks for helping let people know about our plight.

SSR Helps Redmond "Thrill the World"!

Halloween came a bit early to Redmond Town Center, as SecondStory joined forces with Redmond Zombies on Saturday, October 24 to participate in "Thrill the World" -- an attempt to set a world record for the most people dancing Michael Jackson's "Thriller" at the same time.

Dancers in 32 countries all counted down to the official start time (which, fortunately for us, was 5:30 pm Pacific Time). The Redmond chapter was well-represented by some 300 dancers, all ready to rock -- as trained by event organizers Paul and Teresa Osborn. And it looked like this. (Video courtesy of SSR's own Rob Falk)

According to the Redmond Zombies web site, nearly 23,000 people danced in all, easily breaking the previous world record. "Thrill the World" was also a charity fundraiser, with SecondStory Rep as the local beneficiary. Thanks to all who participated, the event resulted in donations of about $3,000 to SecondStory!

SSR actors Robert Bogue and Robin Parks in zombified form.

Save SecondStory!!!

SecondStory Repertory must raise $80,000 by the end of 2009, or close its doors forever.

That grim news was first announced two weeks ago, as reported in the pages of the Redmond Reporter and the Seattle Times -- and it's for real. Lower ticket sales, reduced grants from local foundations, and a lengthy transition of artistic directors have all led to a growing deficit that cannot be ignored.

Donations have begun pouring in, but we still have a long way to go. You can follow our progress right here on the SSR blog.

"I believe in the power of theatre. I believe in THIS theatre," Susanna Wilson, SSR's artistic director, has said. "If each person that has walked through our doors in the past decade donated just a few dollars, we could make it. With help, we can rebound; left alone, the theatre will fold."

How can you help? Attend our annual gala fundraiser, "Vegas or Bust" at Starry Nights Catering on Saturday night, November 21st. Just $50 per ticket gets you a fabulous evening of Vegas-style games, fantastic food, musical entertainment from SecondStory performers, silent and live auction items, and more. Get your tickets now!

Can't come to the event? No problem! You can still bid on our auction items online. Big-ticket items include trips to Hawaii... (the real) Las Vegas... and even to New York City for the 2010 Tony Awards! There are plenty of smaller items too -- and you do not need to be present on November 21st to win.

And you can always make a donation of any amount through Network for Good or our Facebook Cause. Tell your friends and spread the word: Save SecondStory Rep!