Silva Retrenching After Some Theatrical Setbacks

Last year, rock promoter Bill Silva talked freely about expanding into theater presentations. And why not? He was impressed by the phenomenal success of his initial theatrical effort, Ken Hill’s “The Phantom of the Opera,” a show that grossed more than $1 million last December.

But then he got creamed, as he puts it. His October presentation of the farewell tour of “A Chorus Line” in Las Vegas bombed, grossing just less than $250,000.

And now--with sluggish advance sales for his return presentation of “The Phantom,” which plays Dec. 26-31 at Copley Symphony Hall--he has decided that this will be the last year he presents that show.

And, given this climate, Silva, who had also announced that he would present “The Fantasticks” starring Robert Goulet in January, 1991, wept no tears when he heard that “The Fantasticks” tour would end in 1990 before he got a chance to present it.

“I’m not unhappy to see it go by the wayside,” he said on the phone from his San Diego office.

All this doesn’t mean he has given up on theatrical presentations. But he does plan to be exceedingly careful about what he presents, especially in 1991.

“I think that we’re viewing 1991 very cautiously. Since August, our ticket sales across the board, whether it’s for youth or adult-oriented fare, are softened up. During hard economic times, the large attractions will sell, but anything below that echelon suffers. We’ve tried to move toward a booking strategy that reflects that. If we see a great title like a ‘Les Miz,’ which is already taken (by San Diego Playgoers, which will present ‘Les Miserables’ next July), I think it will be a great success. But I’d say we would have to get smacked over the head with something that was fantastic. I don’t know that there are any titles like that except ‘Miss Saigon,’ but that’s not going to be touring.”

But this isn’t to say that Silva has not been making inquiries into other theatrical properties, such as “Serafina!” and “The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber.” He has also scheduled “Mummenschanz,” the Swiss mime troupe for March 13 and 14, and the Bulgarian State Female Vocal Choir for April 11.

But, barring some irresistible impulse, he’ll save most theatrical offerings for 1992.

“We believe that, between the America’s Cup and the (Major) League All-Star game and the (possible) Republican Convention, we think the San Diego economy will support (more theater in) 1992.”

For years, local comedian Don Victor has been known for his skill with improvisation.

In his new show, “Yada Dada,” opening tonight at the Elizabeth North Theatre, Victor, 37, will do some improvising on the improvisational concept.

Every show in the run, which extends through Dec. 16, will be different, he promises. At least as different as the audience that goes to it.

“For each audience, each show will be their show,” Victor said. “It’s a chance for the audience not to be observers, but active participants. They become members of Yada Dada. They get a membership card. They become a part of something that changes and evolves. If someone comes back to the show, they might see an evolution from something they started. They may have created a character, and the character may have created a scene.”

They may also get a chance to help build the set.

Victor asks audience members to bring a household item to the show that he can improvise with. After the show, the item can be taken back home, or donated to the St. Vincent de Paul Joan Kroc Center or left as part of the permanent set.

Victor’s long-term goal for the show is to tap into issues in the minds of people in San Diego while the show is here and then to tour it to other communities and explore issues unique to them. (On Dec. 13, he will do a special show for the hearing-impaired.)

He plans to study the audiences, too, to find out what is on their minds.

“What I’m sensing in San Diego is that things are changing and people are wanting more of a say in what’s happening in this city. My show will give them a vehicle to do that.”

The Town and Country Hotel in Mission Valley took a gamble in September that presenting theater would bring people in from the community as well as provide an entertainment menu for their guests. They leased space to Interactive Entertainment Inc. on a profit-sharing basis, only to find out that there were no profits to be shared.

“It didn’t pan out on either front,” said Steve Hanger, the director of hotel operations. And now the mystery left in the wake of the closing of the “The KPUG Talk Radio Broadcast” in mid-November is whether the show’s failure was because of the show or the lack of familiarity with Town and Country as an entertainment venue.

Hanger said he is inclined to blame it on the lack of familiarity with Town and Country as an entertainment site, but said a decision won’t be made about what to do with the now-empty theater space until after the first of the year. But turning it back into a restaurant or meeting room is a distinct possibility.

PROGRAM NOTES: Rumor has it that the New York-based Nederlander organization that presents the San Diego Playgoers series, which still has yet to officially announce the addition of “Grand Hotel” to its season, may also add “M. Butterfly” and “Tru,” starring Robert Morse. . . .

“Love Letters” will be dark again next week at the Old Globe Theatre while the search continues for suitable celebrity couples to perform the show. . . .

The Gaslamp Quarter Theatre Company must be pleased with the work of Ginny-Lynn Safford, artistic director of the Ensemble Arts Theatre, who co-produced “Dusk to Dawn at the Sunset” with the Gaslamp. Safford has just been hired to direct the Gaslamp’s next show, Alan Ayckbourn’s “A Woman in Mind” at the Hahn Cosmopolitan. Previews for this San Diego premiere begin Feb. 5. Open auditions will be held at the Elizabeth North Theatre Dec. 17, 1-6 p.m. and Dec. 18, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. . . .

“Speed-the-Plow” has been extended at the Bowery Theatre through Dec. 30. Meanwhile, Bowery artistic director Ralph Elias, who stars in the show, is getting ready to direct the Royal Shakespeare Company’s version of “Pericles” at the California Institute for the Arts in Valencia in February. Elias’ wife, actress and Bowery staff member Allison Brennan, said it is a show they would love to do at the Bowery, if they could only afford the large cast. . . .

While the San Diego Repertory Theatre continues to raise money to produce its January shows, pre-production on those shows continues. “Man of the Flesh,” which is still on schedule to open Jan. 9, started rehearsals Tuesday. And Fred Lanuza, who composed the music for the San Diego Rep’s “Thin Air” last year, is working on the score. “The Life and Life of Bumpy Johnson” is more iffy. The Rep is waiting to hear from some granting sources that could help finance it.