Call it a good problem to have: The Sun Valley Company is working to expand and improve upon their entertainment offerings, with their new pavilion front and center.
In mid-August 2008, the Sun Valley resort opened its multi-million-dollar, state-of-the-art Sun Valley Pavilion, not only giving the Sun Valley Summer Symphony a home, but also providing the valley with a new entertainment venue. In fact, the resort has been refocusing entertainment offerings at all its venues.
Sun Valley's new entertainment director, John Mauldin, has been busy working on filling dates at the pavilion for next year and revamping holiday entertainment for this year.
He's hoping a season for the pavilion will run from Memorial Day weekend to the third week in September.
"The majority of people contacting us are dance companies," Mauldin said.
Mauldin has booked Boise-based dance company The Trey McIntire Project, which will be appearing at the pavilion Friday, Aug. 28, and Saturday, Aug. 29. The Trey McIntire Project is a popular and critically acclaimed dance company that tours nationally and internationally.
"I don't have specifics but there may be workshops as well as performances," Mauldin said. "The Sun Valley Opera is using the pavilion for Sunday, June 28, for its Three Tenors concert. There are lots of people interested, and it depends on the company and what kind of draw it has."
Mauldin said he and his staff are discussing festivals, and down the road there may be an effort to winterize the pavilion. In addition, Mauldin said he has been busy traveling to booking conferences to find more entertainment ideas.
"My plan is to see it grow," he said. "But with everything in Sun Valley, it's slower than I want it to be because I am so excited about the potential."
There are adjustments being made to the pavilion for next year, including addressing a shade issue, which is a new element for longtime symphony goers.
"In many ways we were learning to live in the building along with the audience attending concerts at the building," said Sun Valley Summer Symphony's Executive Director Jennifer Teisinger.
Teisinger said she continues to attend construction meetings every week, and the resort wants to improve acoustics and include more sound to more people on the lawn. There will be more seats added to the pavilion and there will be permanent bars added to the east and south terraces.
"The big issue is not being able to see from the lawn," Teisinger said. "The symphony is in talks about re-contouring sections of the lawn to improve sight lines."
The symphony celebrates 25 years next summer and is planning special performances for the pavilion.
New entertainment in Sun Valley for the Christmas holiday includes a dinner and variety show Dec.17, 18 and 20 at the Lodge Dining Room and Limelight holiday parties with the High Street Band on Dec. 19 and 20. "The Lodge Dining Room will be a dinner and show with a nostalgic evening of songs with a holiday theme," Mauldin said. "We are trying to start things that week to lure more people here."
In addition, on Dec. 23 there will be a show, Classical Christmas, at the Sun Valley Opera House. It will include fine opera as well as Broadway and Christmas classic entertainment.
Derek Furch, who created the original script and music arrangements for this summer's Wah-Hoo Revue!, will arrange the Classical Christmas show.
Sun Valley’s entertainment director, John Mauldin, plans events year-round at the resort.
