WE interviewed venerable playwright Morris Panych about his new production, Gordon, days after the Playhouses announcement devastated the arts community. Heres what he had to say about the closure. For the story about Gordon, see p. 10.
Were losing the Playhouse Theatre Company and people are looking for someone to blame. Do you think its that simple?
(Laughs) Id rather talk about Gordon. I want people to come to the theatre, not stay away.
Thats the perfect reason: people need to go out and see stuff.
Yeah, absolutely. I dont think its fair to start throwing blame around. Its a little premature for that, if ever. Im surprised that we knew so little about it... It would have been great to give people a chance to do more than show up and offer their sympathies. Theres an ongoing, albeit quiet, attempt to do something by a number of people.
It just seems like a million bucks isnt that much in the grand scheme of things.
I dont think so. Its times like this that people who have money need to step up. They just need to. Its part of their civic responsibility to help culture. But theres this notion of philanthropy big companies, for instance, its great that they donate money and its great that they sponsor stuff, but now they want their name splashed all over the place? Thats not philanthropy to me. Thats advertising. There has to be some goodwill. Thats part of living in a civil society and Im not sure we live in one anymore.
