As one is planning their evening out at the theatre, the first question you ask your theatre companion, “What time does the show start?”  How is it, that in years past, that would have been a moot question, as all theatre’s curtain time was at 8:00pm (or latest 8:30pm)?  Over the years, to accommodate … patrons wanting to get home earlier, or (especially in NYC) to catch a late night bus or subway in time, to satisfy Union demands, or to accommodate the transition of three act plays to more traditional two acts (and, in recent times) to longish one acts, the scheduled show start times are now also all over the scale….some early start at 6:00pm, 7 or 7:30pm, at 8:00pm … a constant state of confusion to the theatre-goer!  Cannot the theatres be urged (if not required) to agree, define and regulate their show start-times consistent with each other…for the sake of patron peace-of-mind…and to arrive at the show on time?

Likewise – show OPENINGS – is there not a recognized theatre calendar that all show producers-venues can turn to, and resolve their often conflicting opening play dates?  For example:  the week of July 14-18^th, over these same 5-nights, at least seven shows are stepping-out to the public….Humphreys GYPSY KINGS, Old Globe’s ROBIN & 7 HOODS, Summer POPS AbbaMania, Starlight’s PAJAMA GAME, Balboa Theatre’s MENOPAUSE – The Musical, SD REPertory’s HAIRSPRAY, and Moonlight’s OKLAHOMA … all terrific (I’m sure), and all bumping-noses with each other.  Cannot a unified organization (as per the SD Performing Arts League) be responsible and respected to maintain an official theatre calendar, and guide theatre producers in their determined show OPENINGS? … grumble, grumble, grumble!