Fall performances to be rescheduled

A Letter from Maureen M. Patton,
Executive Director of The Grand 1894 Opera House
Galveston Island, Texas

Dear Friends,

For twenty-seven years, I have told The Grand's story to countless patrons, tourists, media, you name it. A central theme was about The Grand as a survivor, notably the 1900 Storm. It was only a year after that fateful day in September of 1900 before The Grand was up and running, serving our community as a place to gather and celebrate the island's rebirth but also to share the sorrow of so much loss. It was clear then, as it is now, that Galveston Island and its citizens possess an indomitable spirit that simply doesn't give in or give up.

Now we name our hurricanes, and presenting "Ike" at The Grand was not supposed to be our opening act. Our Grand has been damaged, as was virtually all of downtown, but we're "fixable" and on the road to being clean and dry. I know that all of you are anxious about our season and your tickets for shows that have already missed their scheduled dates. I hope I can answer some of your concerns here. One of the most important points is that www.thegrand.com is the official site for our information and I ask that you get your answers here rather than through random comments, which may or may not be accurate. While we currently have limited access to updating our website, we will provide information here as soon as possible in order to keep all of you informed. We will update it regularly about our status.

The fall portion of the 2008-2009 Season has been suspended for the time being until we can get a more accurate estimate of when the theatre will be ready to re-open. I have begun the process of rescheduling those dates so that we can announce all changes just as soon as possible. My hope is that we will be ready to re-open by January and celebrate our 114th birthday together with an open house and sing-a-long with our good friend Rob Landes at the piano. Won't it be "Grand"!

We ask for your patience as we get The Grand's website updated and our office at full strength. Happily, our offices and all computer records are secure and undamaged. We will be emailing and calling all of our ticket holders with information about our performances and your options regarding your tickets. I am hopeful that the re-scheduled dates will be convenient for you and you will join us at The Grand for those shows.

We have generators going full time and have power for our offices, but not internet service so far. Most of our staff is operating from "satellite" locations so that we can stay connected. We're a microcosm of the island as personal damages ranged from none at all to total loss. This is an amazing group of people and they are all managing home and work responsibilities so that we can take care of business - and each of you.

Many of you have expressed an interest in making a donation to The Grand to help with the repairs. We will gratefully accept your support and can receive donations by check or credit card at any time. As of now, all our mail is being held at a satellite station and we're picking it up daily.

On behalf of all of us at The Grand, thank you for your concern, prayers and support. Call us at our office phone numbers which seem to be working or on the verge - those are: 800.821.1894; 409.763.7173; 409.765.1894, or by email at tickets@thegrand.com. I look forward to greeting each of you when you return for your first performance. As I have said over and over these last two weeks, I am and always have been "hard-wired" with a strong sense of optimism. My glass and those of all of us at The Grand, are still half-full, albeit with salt water.

Best wishes and with heartfelt thanks,

Maureen M. Patton