Arts

Publick troubles

by Carolyn Clay

This just in from Spiro Veloudos, who's wearing not his actor's hat (he's currently playing the lead in the Publick Theatre's production of Nine) but his producer's chapeau. Veloudos, who is artistic director of the Publick, has announced that the venerable outdoor theater on the banks of the Charles "is experiencing severe financial constraints" that may jeopardize the remainder of Nine's scheduled run (through September 5 -- see our review) and, possibly, "the continuance of Boston's oldest resident theater into the millennium and its 30th-anniversary season." Attributing the crisis to increased operating expenses and the tightening of corporate contributors' belts, Veloudos comments, "The Publick Theatre has always been committed to the discovery, development, and showcase of Boston-area talent, both on stage and off. The loss of a company such as this one would be detrimental to the Boston theater scene."

We'll second that. Emergency contributions are being sought from "subscribers, patrons, private foundations, and lovers of the arts in the Boston community." Call (617) 782-5425 or send your contribution to the Publick Theatre, 11 Ridgemont Street, Boston, MA 02134. ASAP.