The problem with the Malibu Stage Company is the on again, off again love/hate relationship between Jackie Bridgeman and Charles Marowitz. As you can see from their own letters written to Malibu newspapers, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to effectively run any organization under these circumstances.
I quote from Jackie Bridgeman’s letter of Oct. 14, 1999 in Malibu newspapers:
“His flaw, and it is major, is that he seems to view Malibu’s Theatre as his personal fiefdom–a stage for Charles Marowitz alone. And unfortunately for the community, he can be destructive in his single-minded pursuit of his lofty goals. Alas, I believe, after an eight-year association with him, that he lacks the temperament and objectivity necessary to work constructively with the community, and his own Board-chaos litters his determined path.”
Marowitz responds on Oct. 21, 1999.
“Ms. Bridgeman’s strong point has never been logic. Her views on participatory democracy have always been somewhat to the right of Genghis Khan. She was extremely valuable to the theatre in its earliest phase, but was removed from being an active board member and, as it were, ‘kicked upstairs’ to an honorary position, because the then Board was unable to get on with her.”
“The Malibu Stage company, which has never been without temperament, will not only survive her snideness, but develop even more strength as it moves forward with a replenished and expanded board.”
Jackie Bridgeman then responded on Oct. 28, 1999:
“It is apparent that anyone who sees matters concerning the theatre in a realistic light, according to Marowitz’s judgement, is negative, undemocratic and to the right of Genghis Khan,” as he describes me in the Malibu Surfside News.”
“Sadly, our artistic director chooses to find malice in every objective observation that is set before him regarding the Malibu Stage Co. For the past four years of my 10-year association with Charles Marowitz, he has relentlessly labeled my voice as negativism. Marowitz, it would appear, equates objectivity with negativity, a distortion of view that leaves him in perilous odds with reality.”
Eight of the 12 members of the Board of Directors of The Malibu Stage company resigned because we are sick and tired of this negativity associated with the Malibu Stage Company. We all decided we should move on to more positive and fulfilling projects and leave Jackie and Charles to abuse each other!
We wish the new board good luck!
P.S. NO Board member has ever engaged in negative letter writing, nor do we intend to do so in the future.
Alanna Tarkington