Darknight overcomes dark days

DESERT FOOTHILLS – After being abruptly bumped from its old location because of a scheduling conflict, Darknight Productions found itself in a bit of a pinch recently.

Producers Diedre Kaye and Alexx Stuart thought everything was good to go for the closing of their season. They had secured the rights to produce the world premiere of “Midlife Madness” from Minnesota playwright Jennifer Kirkeby, and it was scheduled to take place in the same venue where their other shows had been performed throughout the season.

Out of the blue, they were informed that a wedding had been booked into the same space and they would have to find somewhere else to go. Kaye was determined to open the show on schedule and immediately sent out an SOS.

Ken Kahle of Theater Works contacted Kaye saying things might work out for a small space at Theater Works. Within a week, theater manager Joseph Benesh made arrangements for the company to move the show in on time. 

A plan was hatched.

A week later, it was deja vu all over again when another double booking was discovered and Darknight Productions was bumped back a week for its opening.

“We had just mailed 900 postcards and pre‑sold 50 tickets by this time,” Kaye said. “I had already called everyone to let them know of the location change. Now I dreaded the thought of calling these patrons a second time to tell them the date had been changed, too.”

 The patrons said they understood and rebooked their tickets for the new dates.

 “The staff at Theater Works was so apologetic and has been wonderful in accommodating us,” Kaye says. “This time the double booking was an error. They have done everything possible to make us feel comfortable and welcome in this beautiful space.”.

 Kaye is a student in the advanced scenic design class at the Herberger College of Fine Arts at Arizona State University and asked her instructor, Ron Thacker, if he would consider using the scenic design and construction for “Midlife Madness” for the class final project. He agreed, and his students designed and built the set for a grade. 

“Our students have beautiful theaters to work in on campus, but when they graduate, the real world of theater is much different,” Thacker said. “Working on Darknight Productions’ project is   giving our students a more realistic opportunity to see what issues small theater companies have to deal with.”

Now it’s time to break a leg.

“Everything will be set this weekend with the finishing touches to the set and costumes,” said Kaye. “Things have gone so beautifully, we’ve almost forgotten about the original setback. The cast has weathered the storms and been troupers throughout it all. We’re all excited about this show.”

Jack Lytle, chief executive officer for Theater Works, said he finds Darknights’ approach to collaboration very refreshing.

“I don’t believe many organizations will be successful in the future by trying to go it alone,” he stated. “The future is about strategic partnerships, collaborations and alliances.”

Darknight Productions will continue to search the west side of town for a new, hopefully permanent home for their dinner theater events. But for now, everybody is happy  to be housed at Theater Works.