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on March 12
John Clifton
Posted project update #9It's coming together!
Post CommentHi, Everybody,Thanks, once again, for your generous support!It's been a while since our last Update, and I thought I'd just bring you up to speed on what's been happening with "Mischief."We've sent out all the rewards. At last my apartment no longer looks like a shipping room!We haven’t yet sent tickets for performances, because times and dates haven’t been finalized. But we've been working steadily on preparing the staged presentation. Looks like September will be when it all happens! We can’t wait!Things are starting to falling into place:- We are talking with a New York theater company about using their facilities and collaborating with them on the project. A budget is being prepared as I write this. This will be a great arrangement, since we’ll have the support of a long-established organization and all the frills and benefits that portends! Far better than simply renting space! Details to come.
- We've chosen a wonderful director -- whose name we'll release when it's official!
- We've met with casting directors. Our thinking is to try to hire some well-known performers. Names will attract producers to attend.
- We have a super musical director/conductor committed.
- We're going to use the original orchestration of Piano/Harpsichord, Flute/Clarinet, and 'Cello.
- We want to put strong emphasis on the PERFORMANCE and the MUSIC. We anticipate a very stylish, elegant presentation, and are all unified on that goal.
We're still raising funds and offering the same rewards through our “Revival” Page" on our Mischief website at http://www.MischiefTheMusical.com/revival. If we raise enough there, we'll be able to provide enhanced production values -- sets, lights, etc. So far, we've raised several hundred additional dollars from this effort, but hope to raise $3,000. Unlike Kickstarter, there's no all-or-nothing goal; donations go directly into our account, and the rewards are sent promptly. You might want to tell your friends about the page!I'll keep in touch -- more specific info as it happens! If you’d like to contact me for any reason, I’d love to hear from you.Until next time, all the best --John Cliftonjohn@johnclifton.net
- We are talking with a New York theater company about using their facilities and collaborating with them on the project. A budget is being prepared as I write this. This will be a great arrangement, since we’ll have the support of a long-established organization and all the frills and benefits that portends! Far better than simply renting space! Details to come.
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on January 23
John Clifton
Posted project update #8♪ “We've Got Rewards to Keep Us Warm” ♪
Post Comment"The snow is snowing; the wind is blowing -- But we can weather the storm..." (Irving Berlin, 1937)
Yes, we got snow this weekend here in New York City. It provided a perfect day to stay inside and work on your rewards! There's a lot to do, but we're making great progress. We may be snowed on, but the rewards haven't got us snowed under -- although sometimes it feels that way.
The Mischief original-cast CDs came out very nicely. After shopping online for the best duplication services, we found one downtown in Greenwich Village that does great work for a reasonable price. And we paid no shipping charges because I picked them up in person. That gives us a little extra money to put into the show -- these things add up! And you can tell that we’re using your contribution wisely and well.
At a “signing party,” I autographed the CDs for those who are owed signed copies. How do you sign a CD? With a permanent marker pen. We debated where to sign -- on the insert or the CD itself? The CD won.
I've ordered the librettos ("libretti" if you're into Italian) from the printer. They should be arriving in a few days … and then I’ll ship them to donors entitled to them as a reward. Another signing session soon!
The Certificates of Appreciation are all printed. There are more of these than anything else, because everybody who pledged at least $15 gets one. Yet another autographing session -- and we still have to put the recipient’s name on each one. Waiting to get all the survey responses before this task can be done.
T-shirts have been designed, and we're focusing in on a local shop to print them. Again, why pay an out-of-town company for shipping? We should have these ready to mail by the end of the week.
The Mischief posters have been prepared. They will be high quality on heavy stock, shipped in sturdy mailing tubes. If you’ve been promised one, based on your donation level, it will arrive separately from the other items.
"What about tickets?" I hear you asking. These won't be going out with the other rewards. Once we determine when and where the performances will be, we'll be able to supply tickets for those whose pledges entitle them to seats for performances. Stay tuned, as they say.
Important: If you have not yet returned the Rewards Survey that Kickstarter sent you, PLEASE DO SO IMMEDIATELY.
We can't ship rewards unless we know where they're to go! And we'd like to do the shipping all at once. As I write this, we've gotten 100 responses. If we don't get your survey response, we'll have to assume you're foregoing your rewards. True, some have chosen specifically not to receive the rewards, and we know who those people are. But if you haven't opted out, and want your reward(s) -- please let us know ASAP.
If you can't find the survey in your in-box, please email me directly. Include the following information:
- Your complete POSTAL ADDRESS
- Your NAME as you would like it to appear in the theatrical program and Certificate of Appreciation (if applicable)
- Your T-shirt SIZE (if applicable) MUST BE ONE OF THESE: S M L XL
Send the message to john@johnclifton.net
We're shooting for the first week in February to get all the tangible rewards in the mail.
IN CLOSING, A SPECIAL NOTICE:
If you like a particular item that you are not receiving as a reward, check out our MISCHIEF STORE! Many of the reward items are FOR SALE on this web page. Here's the link: http://www.MischiefTheMusical.com/storeAND JUST ONE MORE THING
The Kickstarter campaign is over, but if anyone missed it, they can still contribute and receive the same great rewards!! Tell your friends!! Just have them go to
http://www.MischiefTheMusical.com/revivalThat's our update. The snow has stopped. But the work goes on!
All the best, everybody -- we'll always be grateful to you. Your generosity has been our reward!
-- John
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on January 8
John Clifton
Posted project update #7Success!!
Post CommentHello, Wonderful Mischief Supporters!
Thanks to you, we made it! Your generosity put us 5% over the goal, and we are profoundly grateful. The show WILL go on! Man with a Load of Mischief, which many musical-theater professionals and fans laud as “an overlooked classic” will be introduced this year to a new generation.
Now about your rewards…
Shortly, you’ll receive a brief questionnaire asking for your postal address and other information, such as your T-shirt size if we promised you one. We expect to get all the goodies in the mail within the next few weeks.
If you’re entitled to tickets for the “showcase” performances (contributors of $100 and above who selected this reward), you’ll receive a ticket confirmation via email.
When and where will the performances be held? Well, plans are only now being formulated, but you’ll be among the first to know! We’re looking at the latter part of May and considering several theaters in Manhattan. Dates, times, and location have not yet been set, so that information will arrive later.
Don Hauptman, who collaborated with us on this project, conveys his personal thanks to those who contributed at his request. And MY thanks to Don, without whose help we would never have achieved such success.
Finally, some people told us they missed the Kickstarter deadline but would still like to contribute. To accommodate anyone who wants want to pitch in, we have set up a page at http://www.MischiefTheMusical.com/revival. And the rewards for donations will still be available there – the same ones that were offered on Kickstarter.
Thanks again. We’re simply THRILLED that Man with a Load of Mischief is back on the road to a major revival.
Our very best wishes,
John and Ben
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on January 6Funded!
"Man with a Load of Mischief" — Let's bring it back! by John Clifton
Help us interest major producers in reviving this delightful treasure of American musical theater — through fully staged performances!
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105% funded $32,215 pledged
- 147 backers
- Funded Jan 06, 2012
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on January 4
John Clifton
Posted project update #6Home Stretch!
Post CommentHi there, Everyone!
We’re down to the wire, with only two days to go. The campaign to revive Man with a Load of Mischief ends this Friday, January 6, at 11 PM ET.
As of today, the project has attracted more than 90 contributors who have pledged almost $20,000 toward our goal of $30,500. We’re about two-thirds funded.
But time is running short!
At first glance at our present total, it may look like we’ll never make the goal. But we’re expecting some major donations, and if they come through we will come very close to success.
You know how Kickstarter works: If the campaign doesn’t meet its financial target by the deadline, the whole thing’s off. We get nothing … and you owe nothing. The dream of bringing Mischief back, despite all our efforts, could evaporate.
To succeed, we simply need more participation—at both larger and smaller pledge levels.
What can I do to help? I hear you ask. Consider:
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Could
you increase your pledge? Just click on “Manage My Pledge.”
- Do you know others who love great musicals who might donate -- especially in a major way? Please forward this message. If you have prospective contacts you can always email me at john@johnclifton.net or call me at 212-724-1578.
Here's the link to our Kickstarter page:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mischief/man-with-a-load-of-mischief-lets-bring-it-backMischief has many dedicated fans who, like you, have pitched in. I’ve been amazed and gratified by the number of people who remember the show fondly and have demonstrated their support by contributing both their money and their time to the effort to revive it.
But if we don’t meet the goal in two days, it all fails. Your pledge will be cancelled and you won’t be charged, but the show won’t go on … and you won’t receive your chosen rewards.
If you can afford to do so, please help us get over the top and make this work ... or think about someone you know who might be willing to help. Whatever happens, thank you for your support, and my best wishes for 2012.
Remember our deadline – Friday, January 6, at 11 PM ET!
Sincerely,
John Clifton -
Could
you increase your pledge? Just click on “Manage My Pledge.”
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on December 25
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on December 19
John Clifton
Posted project update #4A Most REWARDING Experience!
Post CommentI'm helping to revive this wonderful show!
PLEASE FORWARD THIS!
This is just ONE of the many "Rewards" you can receive if you join me in supporting a most worthy project! Just go to
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mischief/man-with-a-load-of-mischief-lets-bring-it-back -
on December 19
John Clifton
Posted project update #3December Song
Post Comment"...and the days dwindle down to a precious few.."
September --- November -- December!!.
Our deadline, January 6, is fast approaching. Pledges are coming in steadily, but we sure hope for an upturn. As we all know by now, if we don't meet our goal by the deadline, it's all off. Pledges (and rewards!) are cancelled.
We (and I do mean me and others, not the editorial "we") have been working almost round the clock in our drive to develop new donors. Confidence is high, and we will do this!! Recently we've been concentrating on contacting potential "high end" donors. We need some major, large donations in order to succeed.Got any ideas? Names? Please -- let me know! john@johnclifton.net or send a Kickstarter message -- I'll get it.
And, once again, if you have friends (we assume you do!) please tell them about our passion for this project! The magic link to send is
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mischief/man-with-a-load-of-mischief-lets-bring-it-back
And please remember that if you click on the "Manage My Pledge" button, you can change the amount of your pledge. Think of it this way: If everyone doubled their current (already generous) pledge, we'd have twice as much! Seriously, though, you might consider upping a bit.
Finally for this week, there are three other ways you can help that won't cost you another penny:- FACEBOOK - Spread the link around. Just paste it into your status
- TWITTER - Tweet about Mischief and give the link, above
- BLOG - Do you follow a blogging site? You know what to do
-- John
- FACEBOOK - Spread the link around. Just paste it into your status
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on December 12
John Clifton
Posted project update #2POSITIVE PROGRESS
Post CommentDear, Blessed Donors --“Mischief” checking in:
The pledges are coming in steadily. But we can’t help wishing we were doing even better at this point! Our main promotional vehicle up to now has been email. We've mailed practically everyone we can think of – and gotten some great responses. We’re concentrating now on publicity and social networking (Facebook, Twitter, etc.).
You’re no doubt aware of the Kickstarter rule: If the goal is not reached, all donations are cancelled and that’s it. So... I hear you asking: “Can I do anything more to help you reach the goal?”
You bet! Here are some things you might do that would get this train moving faster:
1. Send out emails to your address list. You can write your own message or, as an option, here’s some copy you can cut and paste into your message:
Dear Friend,
I want to tell you about a great campaign to revive the vintage musical “Man with a Load of Mischief.” It’s on Kickstarter.com, the site where people can help fund all kinds of worthwhile projects.
I’m so excited about this! For years, we fans of the show have been asking why don’t they revive this wonderful musical? Do you know “Mischief?” It’s still considered a classic, complete with a devoted following. A period piece set in romantic old England—tuneful, witty, sophisticated, and full of style.
To attract producers and backers, the writers plan to present a series of special fully-staged performances. The plan is to interest New York’s most influential theater professionals into presenting an open-ended commercial run.
On Kickstarter.com, you can sample the songs and watch an exciting video about the show. Donors receive generous rewards – in appreciation of their generosity. They’re giving away the store!! For example, you and a friend can receive tickets for this great show and a Champagne after-show reception, plus receive an original-cast CD – all for $100. That’s $50 each for a New York theater evening! Is that a deal or what! But there are many other levels -- donations start at one dollar.
Here’s the link for all the info:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mischief/man-with-a-load-of-mischief-lets-bring-it-back
2. Are you on Facebook? Copy and paste this link into your “status” box (where it says “Write something"):
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mischief/man-with-a-load-of-mischief-lets-bring-it-back
3. If you Twitter, share the link with all your followers!
That’s the update. We’ll aim to keep you posted on a weekly basis.
Thank you!! We’re going to do this!!!
John
P.S. Want to add to your present REWARDS? You can upgrade your pledge at any time – just go back to Kickstarter and select Manage My Pledge.
ALSO: If you have any SUGGESTIONS TO HELP US REACH GOAL, they're welcome!! You can "message' me from the Kickstarter page, or email me directly at john@johnclifton.net -
on December 6
John Clifton
Posted project update #1Off and running!
Post CommentWe've just been up a couple of days, and are off to a great start. John and Ben are grateful for your generous support!
THANK YOU!!!
We're counting on this effort to succeed! There is one big thing you could do to help even more, and that is to tell your friends about it. If you received an email you can simply forward it.
Or you can direct folks to our Kickstarter page with this link:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mischief/man-with-a-load-of-mischief-lets-bring-it-backWe have only a month to meet our goal of $30,500. That's an average of about $1,000 per day. But we're confident that we will succeed -- "with a little help from our friends" -- and what looks like some pretty wonderful people we haven't met, but love "Mischief" enough to back our project!
To be continued...John and Ben
http://www.MischiefTheMusical.com
John Clifton
New York, NY
MEET THE CREATORS Ben and John are seasoned theater professionals with impressive track records… BEN TARVER (Librettist, Co-Lyricist) has worked as a producer, director, playwright, stage manager, and general manager. His directing credits in New ... view more
