PLAY BY PLAY TO MOVE
It was about five months ago that I predicted right here on this blog, that Play by Play Theatre Bookstore would last about eighteen months. As it turns out, that might’ve been a bit optimistic.
In the latest edition of the always-profound Play by Play newsletter, the Beauty Queen gives us some bad news:
“Exactly two months after the ‘soft opening’ of the bookstore, our landlord sold the building and gave the store notice to vacate.”
But hey, every cloud has its silver lining:
“The plus side is that now Play by Play can find a better space to build the bookstore and increase our services and our reach.”
HOORAY! The BQ goes on:
“After looking at some other locations that would be available immediately, I decided to take some time with this decision. To be reactive would get the store into a too-small space that would be quickly out-grown, necessitating another move, or into a too-expensive space, that would not be a sustainable option for this little business so early on. The reality of the situation is that it takes time to build awareness of this kind of specialty business — and my landlord’s timing is terrible for a start-up business.”
Also terrible for a start-up business: a too-crappy proofreader.
Okay, okay — I got a lot of emails the last time I poked fun at the Beauty Queen and her bookstore. But here’s the thing: I think a theatre bookstore is a great idea. I think the TC should have a theatre bookstore. I think the TC needs a theatre bookstore. But at this point, I’m convinced that my stereo could run a small business better than Ms. Upton. How is this the best we can do? Why are so many of our artistic “leaders” fucking moronic? I mean, she actually goes on to say that one of the ways people can help is with money.
“Other Ways to Help: Money. Gifts that will directly support a new space, programming, and visibility while Play by Play is on hiatus, so that this idea doesn’t go ‘dark’.”
Really? If people just give you money, it will help your business? Hmmm. I dunno. It sounds too easy to be true. Maybe we should let someone else try it first.
Please, God, please…if you’re up there, take the wheel from the Beauty Queen so that the TC might have its theatre bookstore. Or at the very least, help her write that newsletter.
