Special Invitation to Mr. Mojo Rison.

Although I am very unhappy having my beliefs/comments about the Shakespeare Theatre and my entire family’s 20+ years of emotional attachment described by Mr. Mojo Rison as “amusing hysterics” I feel inclined to extend an open invitation to Mr. Mojo Rison to meet with him at the coffee or public house of his choosing.  It would be my hope that Mr. Mojo Rison would accept the invitation in the spirit in which it is intended and that we we might both come with good manners and open minds.  If Mr. Rison meets with me, I will bring my oversized three ring binder full of letters, memos, e-mails, art work and journal entries outlining the numerous efforts I have made reaching out to such as the national Shakespeare community, the New York Times, Yale Drama School and National Public Radio.

Way back in 2005 I stood before the town council and read aloud four letters (out of eleven) from national theatre professionals whose memories of their visits to Stratford¹s Theatre as schoolchildren so thoroughly inspired their professional careers that they offered to speak before our Town Council in support of the Theatre. 

This offer may not seem like much of an endorsement for our theatre except when you realize that several of these individuals would have had to travel from places such as Oregon, Colorado, Alabama, etc. 

In addition to the national Shakespeare professionals, in 2007/2008 I reached out to the mayor of Pittsfield, MA ­ home of the very recently restored Colony Theatre.  I reached out to Pittsfield¹s mayor because the comps of the Colonial were very similar to Stratford¹s and, like our Theatre, the Colony had been closed and in a state of severe physical decline for more than 20 years.  Unlike our theatre, The Colony¹s true worth was recognized before it was too late and named a National Historic Treasure in 1998.  Along with that important designation came the necessary funds to restore and reopen the Colony Theatre. 

The Mayor of Pittsfield agreed to speak to Startford’s then Mayor, Jim Miron, about the pros and cons of undertaking such a major restoration.  I also reached out to David Flemming, the then Executive Director of the Colony who was kind enough to write a two page letter to Stratford¹s Town Council which included a detailed list of pre-restoration planning as well as some general suggestions he had gleaned from the Colony’s restoration.  

I am happy to post this letter and any of the other letters I received from people all over the United States who seem so incredibly willing to help us save our own heritage. SO, once again, I extend an invitation to you, Mr. Mojo Rison, to meet so we may discuss the Shakespeare Theatre intelligently and without malice.  I look forward to hearing from you.