by Jan Davisson
Behind the Scene with Andrew Kato Producing Artistic Director/Chief Executive Director at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre
I managed to catch Andrew Kato in between meetings, trips to New York, supervising the massive, $36 million renovation of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre and getting ready to open the 2022 season. Unfortunately, the elegant Maltz Jupiter Theatre won’t be opened on time, so a new venue called Maltz Without Walls will be set in the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter.
“We plan to have our Grand Celebration Reopening on February 5, 2022,” said Kato with fingers crossed. “But as you know, things can change.” The outside looks almost ready, but there is still work to complete the 659 seats in the regular theatre and an additional 199-seat smaller stage on the north side of the theater where the Conservatory, (COPA), use to be situated.
The first production on the huge new stage is the musical Sweet Charity (February 19-March 9). The time-tested musical with book by Neil Simon and music by Cy Coleman/lyrics by Dorothy includes two unforgettable classics: “If My Friends Could See Me Now” and “Big Spender.”
“We’re pleased about the new Goldner Conservatory at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. It’s already a community center. It will now make it possible to educate more kids,” Kato added.
The reopening of the newly expanded theater will provide many opportunities within the community, not only for theatregoers but for the local economy as well. “Unfortunately, the general community does not understand the economic value that theater and the arts contribute to the economy.” Kato’s point couldn’t me more to the point. According to the American State of Arts 2020 Convention, the economic value is SEVEN TIMES the budget of the theater.
When the Maltz reopens, it will not only provide jobs for actors, set builders, staff and workers at the theater, but will also significantly impact the economy by the sheer volume of stores where products are purchased, such as lumber, printing, paint, props…that is, anything used in staging the productions. You can then add the restaurants, hotels and shops for people who make purchases while in town. This is the true, overall value to the entire community.
“I’m excited for us”, he said. “We’re already the largest regional theater in the lower half of the United States. By virtue of having this additional facility and the size of the new stage, we’ll be able to bring in larger productions and be able to stage pre-Broadway shows.”
“We’ll be announcing our new season on February 18th. I can’t tell you which shows are included; however, I’ll give you a hint. One of the musicals I’ve held out from doing because of the size of the stage, I can now bring it in,” said Kato.
Who ever imagined that Andrew Kato, a former student at Palm Beach Community College who was working as a waiter at the Burt Reynolds Dinner Theatre when it opened in 1979, would become such a successful business man in the field he loves—theatre. “I was told by actor Joey Patrick, who was in rehearsal for Sweet Charity, a production at the BRDT, that I once told him that someday I was going to run this place. I don’t remember saying that, but I happened to run into him in New York and he reminded me.
This was long before he went to New York. Kato’s first big opportunity came when he got a job with Margo Lion, a well-known Broadway theatrical producer. “I did whatever needed doing and cut my teeth on some groundbreaking work, ” he said. “It’s not glamorous work. It’s doing whatever is needed. I worked with ad agencies, any business connected with a production and learned the numerous legal aspects needed to become a producer. I worked with the best and feel like I earned my graduate degree on Broadway.”
An example of his training was working as a coordinating producer on Jelly’s, Last Jam and the pioneering production of Angels in America, a two-part story by Tony Kushner that opened in 1993 on Broadway. It also won the 1993 Pulitzer Prize. Part Two of Angels in America opened in 2003 and starred some heavy hitters including Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson and Mary-Louise Parker. Kato also served as coordinating producer for the Tony Awards for 15 years.
What’s next on the agenda? “There’s more in store,” he said with a smile.
PALM BEACH DRAMAWORKS
The wait is over! The Palm Beach County theaters reopened in December after a two-year hiatus due to Covid. To say that the audience at the Palm Beach Drameworks (PBDW) World Premiere of The People Downstairs were ecstatic would be an understatement. The playwright, Michael McKeever, not only wrote this superb script, but he also was one of the ensembles who brought it to life on the stage of the Don and Ann Brown theater in West Palm Beach. From amazing story line, writing, directing by Producing Artistic Director William Hayes staging and the beautifully design setting by Michael Amico. It was an electric moment right from lights up.
Everyone knows the Anne Frank story, but there was so much more drama involved. The play revolves around the actual people who kept the Frank’s hiding place secret for over two years. These are the heroes of Anne Frank’s diary. The office employees of the Frank shipping business were the ones who continued with the day-to-day details and provided the constant care for the Jewish families hiding in the attic over the office. The script centered around how each of the office workers handled the ongoing stress. Not only were they helping the families in hiding, but they also knew that their lives were endangered for providing this aid.
Amy Miller Brennan as Miep, the secretary and lone female in the group, is the backbone of the daily grind. She’s on the front line when strangers call or visit and provides the families in the attic with food and hope. As an actress, Brennan discovered Miep’s vulnerabilities, kindness and ability to calm other staff members. Her talents shine as she deals with Mr. Visser (playwright Michael McKeever). He’s the worry wort, concerned about what will happen to his two children and ailing father if they are discovered. Artfully, he created a character that was easy to dislike. Tom Wahl (Mr. Kraler) is the office manager while Mr. Frank “is away” and handles the continuation of the business and the supervision of the factory workers. His calm presence manages to keep Visser in line.
Wahl has been seen at PBDW in Ordinary Americans and Billy and Me. Dennis Creaghan is back at PBDW with a winning performance as Mr. Koophius, who finds loyal people to assist with fake ration books and food for the families. He’s caring and takes on all the dangerous tasks. Creaghan seems to excel in dark drama as his former performances includes Long Day’s Journey Into Night and Of Mice and Men. Staff member/actor Bruce Linser as Henk bolsters Miep with his compassion and bravery as he joins the underground and brings back news from the front.
The casting was spot on as each actor fit perfectly into his character. Congratulation to William Hayes and Managing Director Sue Ellen Beryl for putting theater back into our lives with such a stunning production.
The season continues on January 14-30, 2022, with a delightful series of nine vignettes set in a small town called Almost Maine. It’s a touch of magic centered around the aurora borealis.
The play by John Cariani and directed by award winning director J. Barry Lewis, is fittingly titled, Almost Maine. Lewis dons his directorial hat for the February drama The Duration, which runs from February 18- March 6. Written by Bruce Graham, the storyline deals with two strong women and the different way each cope with grief.
Palm Beach Dramaworks, 201 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach FL 33401 Tickets: 561.514.4042 Ext. 2. www.palmbeachdramaworks.org
KRAVIS THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
The fantastic Kravis on Broadway Series opened its 2021/22 series in November with a current Broadway hit, Come From Away, and then followed it with another current hit in December, Dear Evan Hansen. The 2022 series continues with an unbelievable lineup that includes a special about the five-time Grammy Award winner, SUMMER, the Donna Summer Musical, January 5-9, 2022. Known as the Disco Queen from the seventies, a few of her hits include Last Dance, MacArthur Park and I Feel Love.
The second longest running musical on Broadway, Cats, takes to the stage from February 8-13. The amazing Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Cats, is based upon a collection of T. S Eliot’s stories from Old Possum’ Book on Practical Cats.
The March wind blows in Anastasia, a musical based on the 1997 film and book of the same name, Anastasia by Terrance McNally. The musical adapts the legend of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia.
Tickets for all shows currently on sale.
Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach Tickets 561.832.7469 or 800.572.8471; www.kravis.org
MNM Theatre Company
Staying with the seventies theme, the MNM Theatre Company and Arts Center Management brings a flashback through game shows, sitcoms, disco and other fond memories of life in the seventies. Streakin’ Thru the 70s was created by James A Rocco and Albert Evans with Heidi Karol Johnson and delights the audience with over 40 hit songs and fond memories of the culture of the seventies with lava lamps, fabulous fashions, hot pants and polyester pantsuits. Bring back any memories?
MNM Theatre Company at Miznerparkculturalcenter.com. Located in the Mizner Park Shopping Center, Boca Raton. Tickets: 844.672.2849
Notes of interest:
KRAVIS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS announced that Phillip Bergmann has been named Artistic Advisor for Classical Music
Karen Poindexter, longtime Carbonell panelist and judge, has been appointed to the Carbonell Board and will serve on the board’s Fundraising Committee. Poindexter has been a producer in Regional, Broadway and London theaters and is also well known as a producer at the old Burt Reynolds Dinner Theater in Jupiter, which opened in 1979 and is now the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. She worked with numerous stars including Farrah Fawcett, Kirstie Alley, Sarah Jessica Parker and many other accomplished actors.