Encore: The 'story of a Steinway'

I have never written a letter to the editor and am uncomfortable throwing out my thoughts for the masses to read. However, I find myself in a situation, after much thought, where I must speak.

Last week there were several letters to the editor and two newspaper articles on a matter involving my company, Alpine Theatre Project. In my opinion, the content was fairly inflammatory and misleading. Our small and dedicated staff works very hard at running a company that has integrity, kindness, and respect at its forefront. We always strive to put forth a great product and more than anything we hope we bring something valuable to our community. Therefore, I would like to tell you a little story about a Steinway.

As the director of the show, months ago I began working on and conceiving of ATP’s 2015 summer production of “Chicago.” I wanted to set it against the simple backdrop of a nightclub jazz trio hearkening back to those of the 1920s. The idea is not novel for sure but it was the kernel upon which ! would build.

At the center of it all would be a piano on which our leading lady, who serves as the evening’s “Texas Guinan”-type host, would occasionally stand and comment on the action. It was my very strong request to my staff that the Steinway not be used in this production but rather the Baldwin that is housed in the lobby of the theater. Ten days before we were to open, our production manager called to schedule the professional swapping of the pianos only to find all piano movers in the valley booked solid for a number of weeks.

I was approached with the information and told that the Baldwin was not an option. Our amazing production staff had already phoned Steinway with the story and asked if they had any advice on proceeding in a safe manner with that piano. They were informed to lay a soft layer of fabric or felt on the lid of the piano and then lay a skin of protective layer of Plexiglas or the like... We chose to use a thin layer of MDF. We opened July 9 to a very successful and sold-out run of the show. I would venture to say the total time, during the course of the 2 1/2 hour show, that the piano was stood upon was approximately four minutes. And I certainly wouldn’t say it was danced upon as referenced in the articles.

As we were striking the shows at the end of the season our staff lifted the protective covering off the lid of the piano to find that it had indeed left several scratches and for this I am deeply deeply sorry! ATP of course carries loads and loads of insurance because the theater can be a fairly dangerous place. We immediately filed an insurance claim and, as soon as the Glacier Symphony and Chorale’s Festival Amadeus had completed its run, the lid was removed and sent to Salt Lake City to the finest Steinway restoration person in the West.

It’s probably worth mentioning a little history about that beautiful instrument that we are lucky to have for the community’s use. The piano was created in 2003 and was in fact deemed a concert grand piano because of its beautiful sound. It was housed in a Steinway showroom in Scottsdale, Arizona, for eight years and was used as a rental piano for visiting artists in the Phoenix area.

When an instrument of this nature finishes its concert life in this sense it is turned out into the world for purchase by the general public. John Simpson and a group of amazing donors purchased the instrument in 2012 for $79,000. It was noted at the time of purchase that the piano had some insignificant dings and scratches on its body that certainly did not affect its beautiful tone. Because ATP is paying to restore the lid, we will also of course take care of the dings and scratches that preceded our use of the piano in Chicago. The entire bill for repairs came to $1,500 and the lid is scheduled to be back on top of the piano at the auditorium early this week. That is the story...

ATP is extremely sorry for any damage that was incurred and we hope people understand that it was an unfortunate and isolated incident. We have done our very best to make sure it was handled in a quick and appropriate manner. We love and respect our community and all of the wonderful things it affords us.

Betsi Morrison is the artistic director of the Alpine Theatre Project.