So an editorial was published in the Waco paper today that said some very nice things about me. Considering how difficult the last year there was for me, it made me feel very good.

Then, right on cue, the anonymous troll came out to say some not nice things in the comment section of the online version. And in general, I don't really care what people think about me. But in this instance there are a few things that sadden me. The first is that the person decided not to comment on the thrust of the story, which was the need for a good candidate in that position in the future; this person decided to just try to criticize me. The second is that this is almost certainly someone I know who just lacks the courage to sign their name to their criticism. And that leads to the third, that when something like that happens, it becomes obvious that this person isn't interested in helping the WPAC, figuring out what actually is going on, or - most helpfully - actually contributing to find a solution to the problem. And that's sad.

And I really don't care about defending or defining some kind of legacy. But facts actually matter. And one thing I've learned over the past few years is that it's just not possible to read a newspaper story and think you're in a position to understand an issue entirely - let alone form a useful and intelligent opinion on the matter.

Why don't people actually talk to each other? Why do people say such horrible things about other people behind the cowardice of a pseudonym online that they would never say to a person's face? Why do people talk at people rather than to them or with them?

I faced this midway through my time at the WPAC. There was a board member who thought he and his fiancé should be running the organization, so he started convening meetings about me behind my back and actively trying to distort my record and the facts. He lied. And it caused quite a bit of angst and lost progress for the board. And the most senseless part of all was that had he bothered to ask me to address the issues straight up, it would have become patently obvious that there was little substance to any of his complaints.

Allow me to demonstrate the uselessness in talking at people and ignoring facts. Here's what the troll said versus the truth:

Troll: "While last season was a great season, he programmed one of the poorest seasons in recent memory."

Truth: The current season is far from poor. It features musicians from Ireland, acrobats from China, an American classic play, a recent Broadway musical, country music, children's shows, and more. Yes, it's lacking in big-name Broadway hits. But that's because there aren't any available that Waco can afford that haven't been through in the past few years already. That's a consequence of what the economy has done to the theatre industry. But this season was programmed to appeal to people who like Broadway musicals knowing that there weren't many Broadway musicals available.

(See how much easier it is to just say something rather than have to defend it?)

Troll: "He did away with the Popular Broadway shows, and brought a Magic show and a Cirque Knock-off."

Truth: If Mamma Mia and Spamalot were available, believe me, I would have booked them. I don't know how many other ways to say this: They. Were. Not. Available. And a magic show? That was last season. And that magician was awarded his industries' highest award the day he played in Waco. Not exactly a slouch. As for a "Cirque Knock-off," if this person is referring to Cirque Shanghai, which played in November, it's hardly a knock-off. It plays constantly in China and plays to sell-outs two months a year on Navy Pier in Chicago. Not bad.

Troll: "I about choked when I read that Take 6 was contracted for $20,000, maybe in Fort Worth , but that was way too much to pay for a Waco Show."

Truth: Take 6 was contracted for $10,000. Pretty simple stuff there. Now, the fee paid to an artist isn't the only cost of presenting a show, of course. There are marketing costs, technical costs, tech labor, hospitality, etc. But, still, this is what happens when someone decides to form an opinion without all the facts.

Troll: "Take a look at the Quality of Shows offered at the Galveston Opera House. Most of these acts are driving and pass within 40 miles of Waco to thier next date. Why not look at those shows."

Truth: Okay, let's look at them. "Ballet Folklorico de Mexico" The WPAC had booked them about six years ago and no one came. They were even sponsored by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "The Oak Ridge Boys" With only 943 seats, and a booking cost of over $25,000, even selling out the theatre at an average ticket cost of $25, we couldn't even cover the artist charge without even addressing the other costs. And I would never believe they'd sell out in Waco. "Riders In The Sky" See my comments on The Oak Ridge Boys. "Leading Ladies" I almost booked this one. But with how Waco didn't turn out for "Of Mice and Men," why would they turn out for a play they've never heard of? And the financials would be the same as Oak Ridge Boys. "Porgy and Bess" I proposed this two years ago and was met with such a collective groan that I quickly gave it up. "Hairspray" Was just here three years ago. "Neil Berg’s 101 Years of Broadway" Is coming to Waco in April. And on... and on... and on... I think I've made my point. The commentor didn't think this through at all. It was just convenient, if no one examined it, to badmouth me.

Troll: "We do not need a full time/paid person to interact with the Schools."

Truth: Nor do we have one. We do have a part time person whose duties include educational interaction. But that's a far cry from what nonsense was alleged.

I'm not even sure why I wrote this post. I learned long ago not to engage fools and cowards on internet message boards. So if I was going to respond, I would always want to do it here rather than there. And this isn't really a "response." I guess you could consider it commentary on a subject that saddens me greatly. And maybe consider it a plea to treat each other better. We have to be better than this.

I hope the best for the WPAC. They know that.

Be well.