The Province cuts theatre reviews: one sad chicken

[img_assist|nid=725|title=Plucky sad (and yellow)|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=288|height=288]Jerry Wasserman has "confirmed":http://www.vancouverplays.com/index.shtml that The Province will no longer be carrying his theatre reviews. This is a sad day. The Province has over the last few years proven to be a great (and no doubt unexpected) supporter of the local arts scene in Vancouver. In addition to Jerry’s reviews, Province editors and journalists have gone out of their way to include coverage of the performing arts and help hold back the seemingly endless onslaught of Hollywood movies and mindless celebrity gossip. I’m not sure what they achieved has been properly recognized by members of the theatre and dance communities and I’d like to take this opportunity to applaud their efforts.

As Jerry indicates on his website, the ending of theatre reviews in the paper was not due to a lack of will on the part of the editorial team but rather the "economic crisis":http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082&sid=adS7etOH4EXs&refer=c... that is currently overtaking Canwest/Global (the owner of The Province as well as the Vancouver Sun). While I might not like the political spin that comes out of Winnipeg (and what right thinking chicken would?), I do like and admire the people who work here in Vancouver. I often come across individuals who love to sneer at The Province, all I have to say is this: be careful for what you wish for. The state of print coverage of the arts in Vancouver is bordering on a crisis and the loss of The Province would be a terrible blow. You may not believe it, but it’s true.

In the meantime, Jerry mentions that Carey Gillette, the Arts and Entertainment editor at The Province, wants the community to know that the paper will continue to preview plays and profile theatre (and I’m sure dance) artists. And if you come across a Province employee, give them a hug.

Oh, and to whoever said I was white, please take a close look at my picture. I'm yellow, thank you very much.