Shakespeare Santa Cruz has raised enough money to keep their doors open. As of Monday, they had raised over 400K, beyond the 300K they needed to stay open and produce the 09 season. According to the Merc, between 80 and 85 percent of the donations to the campaign came in figures of $25 to $100.

I remember going there with my family to see a production of SHREW, years ago, and walking up the tall hill back to the car, surrounded by the redwood trunks, and having a dialogue with Shakespeare in my head, something along the lines of “Yeah, yeah, you’re all right, you’re okay, that’s all well and good, but just wait till I get started, buster, I have something to say about this whole men and women business too.”

The SSC website has a nice quote from Dana Gioia at the NEA: “The generous public support to save Shakespeare Santa Cruz has set a shining example for the American arts. This may be a local event, but it has national importance.”

A warning note amid this celebration from UCSC chancellor Blumenthal:

“SSC’s future viability requires stronger private support, increased revenues from ticket sales and other sources and reduced operating costs.”

So true – and a reminder that in this economic climate, all such victories are temporary.