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The Manship Theatre is as a superb venue, but it’s yet to be properly and fully utilized.

With its impeccable acoustics and cozy surroundings, the Manship has hosted some unforgettable performances since the Shaw Center for the Arts first opened its doors.

While other parts of the Shaw Center are thriving—Tsunami sushi restaurant with its splendid riverfront views remains popular with diners; Capital City Grill is a throbbing lunch and dinner spot; and the fourth floor patio and the Lafayette Street plaza continue to host terrific events and parties—the theatre’s appeal has been too narrow.

Interim Director John Spain figures only a fraction of the community has ever stepped foot inside, something he and the Baton Rouge Area Foundation are intent on chaging.

It won’t be easy. Booking big-time acts with broader appeal isn’t practical—with only 325 seats, ticket prices would be astronomical. Success will come from booking more and more varied performances that begin to attract new customers.

BRAF plans eventually to turn over long-term management to someone or an organization—the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge has been discussed, for example.

Meantime, there’s a season of shows to be booked from August through May 2011. Spain along with staff and board members have been scouting everything from jazz to country to family shows to comedy acts to pull from a broader local audience.

We applaud those objectives, but we also challenge other stakeholders such as the city-parish, LSU and the downtown business community to do their part to support this community gem so that everyone in Baton Rouge can enjoy this community gem.