One of the lovely things about Huntsville’s Algonquin Theatre is its size. Not too big, not too small, it’s just right for shows that make you feel like you’re part of the action on stage—and sometimes you really do get to be right in the thick of things.
A diverse selection of upcoming shows illustrate just how intimate the theatre space can be, from the I&I series which invites the audience up on stage for the entire show, to the personable Séan McCann (one of the founding members of Great Big Sea) who connects with audiences like no one else, to sing-along kids’ performances with Sharon, Bram and Friends, and Splash’N Boots.
“Intimate and Interactive shows are a very special and unique way to see a concert,” says Samantha Love, the theatre’s Customer Service Representative. She’s the smiling face you’ll see at the box office most days. “Tickets are limited to 60 seats and the audience is right there with the artist on the Algonquin Theatre stage.”
First up in the I&I series is country singer Alexis Taylor. “She’s fabulous to listen to and she’s going to do a really beautiful acoustic show,” says Love. “It’s definitely something audiences would like to see.” Listen to Alexis’ track “Blame the Whiskey” below. Tickets are available online here or at the Algonquin Theatre box office.
Nicole Lisa Craig will bring her ethereal vocals to the Algonquin Theatre stage on October 19 for the next I&I performance.
On September 15, crowd-pleasing performer Séan McCann returns to the Algonquin Theatre stage with his Face to Face tour. A founding member of Great Big Sea, Séan is now out touring on his own.
“Séan loves to come to intimate theatres and really have a chance to connect with audiences,” says Love. “He’s a fantastic talent and we are so pleased to have him back in the Algonquin Theatre. He’s so personable and fun, and he always tells great stories on stage. You don’t want to miss him.”
Tickets for Séan McCann Sings are available here or at the Algonquin Theatre box office. Check out what it’s like to see Séan in concert in the video below, as he performs a high-energy rendition of classic folk song “Mari Mac”.
There are also some fun, interactive shows for the kiddos out there. “We do so many great shows and concerts and it’s nice when there’s something for the whole family to come out and enjoy together. Being able to introduce a new generation to live performances is a wonderful thing.”
The Algonquin Theatre’s fall children’s programming includes beloved performers Sharon, Bram and friends. They’ll land at the theatre on September 8 for a 2:00 p.m. matinee to mark the 40th anniversary of their first album One Elephant, Deux Elephant.
“We are really looking forward to having them here,” says Love. “They are doing a sing-along show that is super interactive for the audience. It’s definitely one that will get the kids up and dancing around.”
Tickets for Sharon & Bram are available online here or at the Algonquin Theatre box office.
And then, on October 5, Splash’N Boots LIVE brings The Big Love, Kisses and Hugs Tour to the Algonquin Theatre stage where the audience will join them for an active, sing-along performance. Based on the popular Treehouse TV show, the duo present a high-energy, entertaining experience for the youngest theatre-goers. There’s even a VIP ticket option that will get you premium seats and a meet and greet with the cast.
Tickets for Splash’N Boots LIVE are available online here or at the Algonquin Theatre box office.
Check out the Algonquin Theatre website, algonquintheatre.ca, for more information on these and other upcoming performances!
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Thank you Rob. It clears up some of the talk about it. With an answer so complete and an explanation that doesn’t leave people guessing, I wish you would have run for town council. Enjoy your retirement.
An important clarification Rob, thanks.
Ian, the $3 surcharge was put in place this year by the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, not by the Algonquin Theatre. Although the Festival is closely linked to the theatre, they are in reality another organization that rents the Town facility when they have the desire to present a performance. The Festival Board decided to institute the surcharge this year in response to increasing costs from the theatre but also costs the Festival incurs in presenting shows.
One example would be the charge for the use of credit cards to purchase tickets. 95% of ticket buyers use cards and the theatre passes on the approximately 3.5% bank/card charges directly to the promoter. The client thinks they are paying X for their ticket but the Festival gets X-3.5% in their settlement. This charge has always been in place but with the overall increase in ticket prices it has more of an impact.
Part of the theatre’s chargeout for every show goes to a capital improvement fund to assist the Town in future theatre investments. Also part of the rental charges are per ticket charges and ticket printing charges.
The other major cost is the marketing of the shows. The theatre charges a minimal fee to promote the shows but the Festival has it’s own marketing campaign, including creating and distributing a summer brochure, social media buys and core advertising on radio and in various paper outlets. These costs have all escalated over the years.
Putting some of these overheads in the form of a service fee separates them a bit from the direct cost of the artist and the core rental of the theatre.
Service fees have become an industry standard in the purchase of tickets, and the $3 instituted by the Festival this season is not out of line, when looking at comparable organizations. I would be surprised if this amount increased over the next few years as the Festival is sensitive to the overall affordability of shows it presents.
Would you please explain the $3.00 per ticket surcharge that is being charged and where it goes.