The Jefferson Theater nabs opera, everything else

The same people are making the same decisions regarding local music venues, folks. After a short teaser on the Daily Progress’ website on Friday, the paper announced yesterday that Ash Lawn Opera will lease the Jefferson Theater from Red Light Management for 20 years beginning in the summer of 2010. To paraphrase the Notorious B.I.G., "Throw your hands in the air if you were unaware!"
 

Seriously, word about Ash Lawn Opera’s move to Capshaw’s VIP—that’s "Venue In Progress"—has been more common on the Downtown Mall than buskers for weeks now; the only thing left to the imagination until Saturday’s Progress was the length of the lease and, more importantly, what the venue will do when not hosting productions of Carmen. (The good news, of course, is that the Jefferson will be a live music venue from September through May.)

But it can be interesting to watch these things unfold. Remember, only a month ago, Ash Lawn Opera director Judith Walker told the DP "We’re not leaving." She seemed to be the only one who thought so. Nonetheless, multiple calls during the last month to Frank Buck, president of ALO’s board, were not returned, which made waiting for confirmation of Ash Lawn Opera’s move feel a bit like waiting for confirmation from a gas pump that crude oil prices are on the rise. Then again, maybe I should try a different pump every now and again.

Anyways, who else heard rumor of this move before it happened? What are your hopes and fears for the Jefferson?

Moreover, think about the venue consolidation of the last year or more: Capshaw began investing in the Satellite Ballroom in 2006, roughly a year before Starr Hill closed, and now has the chance to lure loyal fans of both venues to the Jefferson. Larry Wilson, an employee of management firm SMG, is currently the general manager of the John Paul Jones Arena and acting general manager of The Paramount Theater. What do we gain by having several of our city’s major venues in the hands of only two management companies? What do we lose?