JOHN E. SETTLE JR
The Strand had scheduled "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" for Wed. Mar. 15.
At email sent out at 11:25 a.m. on that day advised that the performance was cancelled:
"Due to an unforeseen and severe work shortage, tonight's performance of Ronald Dahl's 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' has been cancelled.
We are heartbroken to receive this news and even more so that we have to share it with you, our close friends. We promise to keep you updated about the refunding process when all the details are in order, and that we will do our utmost to being accessible to you.
As always, The Strand is here for you. Despite this unfortunate loss, we hope you still have a magical day."
Reportedly ticket sales for this show had been robust.
No doubt many kids, parents and grand parents were greatly disappointed. And who knows how many had travelled from surrounding areas to attend this highly acclaimed children's production.
So what's the deal?
One story being circulated is the show was too large for The Strand stage. And that the complex set was too heavy for the Strand's stage.
The Strand's management had access to the production specification as to needed stage space as well as the weight of the set. In other words, management should have known that the show set was too big for the Strand facility.
The other version of why cancelled does in fact deal with personnel. The local stagehand's local did not have the needed union members to be at the Strand in time to allow the moving of the set into the facility, rigging the lights, sound board, etc.
Reportedly this show was produced in Tyler on Tues. , the day before the scheduled Strand date. The time and difficulty in putting up the sets, etc that morning and then taking it all down and packing the vans after the show resulted in too many of the union members exhausted. Thus the requisite number of stage hands to mount the Strand production was not available early Wed. a.m.
Obviously the cancellation was a big economic hit to The Strand. Ticket refunds to begin with, and no doubt up front moneys paid to book the production.
So what's the real story???