By Robert Burke Warren
Photo courtesy of Second Stage Theatre When it comes to creating art, inspiration is only a fraction of the process. Artists also contend with time constraints, isolation, and financial woes, especially in aggressively capitalist, crowded, notoriously noisy New York City. Musical theater folks have it particularly hard; Broadway depends on lavish sure-thing revivals, and for-profit producers are increasingly less likely to take a chance on new material. Money is tight. Yet musical theatre is hardly dying out, in part because of benefactors like Rhinebeck’s own Kathy Evans, former executive director of the National Alliance of Musical Theatre, and a modern-day Medici of sorts.
This summer, a handful of promising writers will be spending time at Evans’ Rhinebeck Writers Retreat. Evans is following in the footsteps of the great patrons of yore, although in lieu of big money, she provides essential time, space, and encouragement; all free. This year marks the third annual retreat, at which she bequeaths selected writers a week of peace and quiet, plus meals, a small stipend, and lodging in the Hudson Valley woods. Of the nine weeklong workshops, five feature Saturday “Meet the Writers" receptions, where the public can come to Rhinebeck or Germantown, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and wine, and talk to the creators in a charmed atmosphere of appreciation and possibility. When Rural Intelligence caught up with the ebullient, quick-to-laugh Evans, she was particularly excited about Nobody Loves You, a musical fine-tuned by creators Gaby Alter and Itamar Moses at the inaugural Writers Retreat in 2011. (Pictured at top.) “It opens at the Second Stage Theater in Manhattan tonight!" Evans says. (The show runs at the Second Stage through August 11.) “Many of our artists have gone on to exciting things, other residencies and awards; [fellow 2011 attendees] Michael Friedman and Alex Timbers (of Bloody,Bloody Andrew Jackson fame) created a musical version of Love’s Labour’s Lost that’s being done at Shakespeare in the Park. From just an idea to concept to success, I couldn’t be prouder about the retreat. And word has spread. In 2012, we had 55 applications, this year we had 90." For summer ‘13, 18 attendees will work on nine shows; included among the writers are Passing Strange creators Stew and Heidi Rodewald and Spring Awakening co-creator Duncan Sheik. “Musical theater has always been a passion for me," says Evans. “I worked in the corporate world most of my career until 13 years ago when I became executive director at the National Alliance of Musical Theatre. Part of its mission is supporting new work. I became engrossed in that world and decided ‘This is what I want to do, I want to help these writers who are so creative.’ There’s so much talent out there and not enough opportunity, so I wanted to give them an opportunity to develop."
Composer-lyricist-playwright Andrew Gerle worked on his award-winning Gloryana at the 2011 retreat. He says, “It was an invaluable opportunity to have some dedicated, uninterrupted time with my collaborators, to hash out sructural issues that can be tough to pin down. That time was a luxury one never has in ‘real life,’ and helped us create a strong dramaturgical foundation for the show that we could build upon when we saw it on its feet." Evans began the retreat modestly, but has since honed her skills as fundraiser extraordinaire, enlisting financial commitments from a widening circle of donors. “I’ve learned if I tell my story passionately," she says, “and tell why it’s so important to support writers, people get it. People want to support the form and support writers. My task is to find those people who share my passion. The first summer I used my contacts from the Alliance, and also friends and family. Then I reached out to foundations. We have three that support us now: The ASCAP Foundation, The Dramatists Guild Fund, and the Noel Coward Foundation."
Although none of her attendees have created a Broadway hit, Evans is undeterred. “There is great opportunity outside of Broadway. Love’s Labour’s Lost and Nobody Loves You are in not-for-profit theaters. Not-for-profits around the country are producing exciting new work. They hope it goes to Broadway, but it’s already successful. I’m hoping the form can move with the culture, which is getting more diverse." Diverse and more penny-pinching. Seen through the relentlessly upbeat perspective of Kathy Evans, these changes augur opportunity for those passionate about the real deal: good, challenging work. No budget? No problem. The economy may rise and fall, and audiences may be ever harder to find, but apparently, the will to create and the will to nurture remain. With so much of the world hell-bent on destruction, this is welcome news indeed. Rhinebeck Writers Retreat "Meet and Greet" receptions are held on Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Staatsburg, NY, and Germantown, NY. Admission is free, but space is limited to 30 per reception. Reservations accepted and address info given by email: RhinebeckWriters@gmail.com. July 13, Staatsburg, NY Joe Iconis, Jason Williams, and Lance Rubin, Annie Golden, creators of Bounty Hunter, Yo! July 20, Germantown, NY Rob Shapiro, creator of Catch July 27, Staatsburg, NY Jenny Giering, Laura Harrington, and Adam Gwon, creators of Alice Bliss August 3, Staatsburg, NY Stew and Heidi Rodewald, creators of Family Album August 24, Germantown, NY Kyle Jarrow and Duncan Sheik, creators of Noir
