john@johnclifton.net

"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/store 

AND 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/revival

That'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

 Hello, 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

Hi 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:

•  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-back

Mischief 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