Past Servant Stage First Look Extravaganzas have attracted up to 1,000 people. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year's event will be held virtually, but Servant Stage executive director Jonathan Bauer is thinking positively about the impact of the reveal that will introduce the organization's 2021 season. "The good thing about holding it online is that we are expecting more than 10,000 people (to view it)," said Bauer. "We have been doing virtual concerts all summer, and we have gotten really good response to that," he added, noting that the shows have averaged 10,000 views per concert.
The First Look Extravaganza will air live via Facebook and YouTube by searching for "Servant Stage" at those sites and via https://servantstage.org on Friday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. The free show will be presented in coordination with the Extraordinary Give, an online giving event hosted by the Lancaster County Community Foundation (LCCF). During the giving event, individuals can visit http://www.ExtraGive.org, choose from more than 500 local nonprofit organizations, and make a secure online donation.
According to Bauer, the reveal will include highlights of performances from the dozens of shows Servant Stage has planned for the next year. "(The presentation) usually ties in with a celebration of the past season as well, so there will be both a look back and a look ahead," shared Bauer. The look ahead will include a variety of genres to appeal to a wide audience. "We have some big epic- type Broadway musicals, and we have some revue-type shows where all the focus is on the entertainment aspect," said Bauer, who noted that a few smaller Broadway productions he called "dramadies" will be featured. "They are family friendly and range between dramatic and comedic," he explained, adding that about half the season's shows will be youth theater productions.
The staff of Servant Stage, including artistic director Wally Calderon and Bauer, will take turns hosting the show live from Alliance Church. The presentation will feature both live aspects and prerecorded segments. "During the few weeks leading up (to the show), we will prerecord a few (performances) with smaller groups," explained Bauer. "We will have more than 100 performers on that evening, but for safety reasons not all 100 performers will be there in person."
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Bauer sees a mix of virtual performances and live shows. "We are hoping to ease back into live shows," he said, noting that during the first three months of 2021, shows will be virtual. "As we get into the spring, we have planned smaller productions to ease back in and to socially distance the cast," he said. Bauer added that the organization has scheduled shows in a number of large parks next summer in hopes that live outdoor performances may be held at that time.
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