An Update from Kevin Johnson
October 20, 2007 First of all, I love and miss San Antonio and the theater scene - and it was hard to leave it... Sometimes ya just have to go where you need to go. I had won the GLOBE AWARD for Sweeney Todd, and had done some other things, and ended up directing/producing for a theme park - it payed, and really well. That was ok till about 3 years. I got ants in my pants, and wanted to be ON STAGE. However, the San Antonio theater scene at that time consisted (and sadly still does to what seems to be commercial to a VERY COMMERCIAL extent) of revivals of warhorse or "military revues." I don't do that. I got an offer from Arizona Theatre Company - the official Equity Theatre Company of Arizona - to be in charge of youth outreach and group marketing. I moved out of my pre-paid townhome, and my secure job, to go there. I did not know anyone. Everything was brown... And after three days, they hired a consultant to see why they were in red, - so 11 people were fired that day. I had worked there three days. If you go on their website, you will see that they are fantastic, and their theatres are on the par with The Magestic - This made me take $5.45 an hour jobs with phone sales///I, trying to be my own Artistic Director of my own company.. and God bless that job it kept me in Arizona - the pay was horrible..but I (sounds good... ahumm) have produced many shows on this grand Palace of the main stage (of The Temple of Music and Art, as well as four other places) ...of a showcase including THE FULL MONTY, ASSASSINS, and many other shows including the children's opera BRINDIBAR - HEAR MY VOICE, featured on 60 minutes, that was about an underground children's - opera performed in secret...in one of the camps during the second war. The show was discovered by Hitler, and he demanded the children to perform for a propagandist film - they did, and all but one was gassed after the show. the ONE survivor I tracked down, raised money, and helped me co-direct a group of 42 kids that knew now what happened. This will possibly be the emotional highlight of my life.... seeing her onstage with the kids, chewing me out for direction... seeing the HUNDREDS of people on their feet during the grand finales - SUNG IN CZhEK - as it was - won worldwide press and recognition.... Over the last six years, four of my musicals have won BEST MUSICAL OF ARIZONA - based on reviews of Arizona Daily Star, Arizona Sun, and four other crappy tabloids. It is still kinda cool... Am I bragging? Hell no. I never was... There is SO MUCH to be done to save theater right now. I just want San Antonio to know how loved I felt during my shows there. If you have an interest in seeing what my company is up to (seems like this San Antonio link is sorta dated) go to www.arizonaonstage.org I am on my second production of a Paul Bonin-Rodriguez show as I type - and I want to keep my heritage as alive as I can. In other news, I seem to have some cancer in a place that is not really "good" - and I will fight this, like my students five times a day, fight my assignments.." I will win this. They also will... I love you all, and hope to hear from you. Kevin Johnson Artistic Director/Founder Arizona Onstage Productions www.arizonaonstage.org 520-270-3332 Basis Schools International Artistic Director Fax: 520.326.6359 Please - if you know anyone that I have lost that I love or have contact with, if you could forward this - that would be fantastic - please advise this info to my assistant Amy. I miss so many of you - xoxo Kevin kevinj65@aol.com ... and cancer survivor... that is "Kev"... | 
