I really miss Downstage Theatre – okay, the building is still there, and they still put on some comedy and theatre performances. But I miss Downstage, the people behind the brand I suppose…the people that put thought into shows, fostering relationships and building ideas. I liked Downstage for comedy and theatre, but I really enjoyed the something different-aspect of seeing live music there.

And whenever they hosted a new season/show by Strike it seemed the perfect marriage. The talented percussion ensemble had an Artist-in-Residency deal with Downstage, as I remember. They’d develop works specifically for that space. They might then take them on the road, adapt and change. But it meant not only music for Downstage, but some of Downstage, and a lot of the theatre – dramaturgy or whatever – got into Strike. They used the space well, lighting, movement, mood. And yes, music.
Stubs is an occasional feature here at Off The Tracks – looking back through the ticket-stub box and remembering how the show went down.