Despite recent woes, Jim Jarvis leaves with fond memories from Metropolis

Despite a cash flow problem that sent the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre to the Arlington Heights village board this month for a $75,000 loan, outgoing Executive Director Jim Jarvis believes he is leaving the theater in good shape.

Recent changes — including staff cuts and the hiring of a development director — will put it back on solid financial footing, said Jarvis, who steps down officially today after three years at the theater’s helm.

Jarvis cited his health and a desire to spend more time with his family as reasons for leaving to take a less time-consuming job marketing corporate and group sales for The Paramount Theatre in Aurora.

“Just (that) one thing,” he said of his new position. “Not programming, not fundraising, not scouting shows or watching rehearsals or hauling tables or unloading sound trucks and putting up the thrust stage.”

Jarvis’ departure comes at a time when the Metropolis is struggling with issues related to the overall economy, including a slight drop at the box office and lower participation in classes and other educationl programming.

Ideally, contributions would fund 40 percent of the center’s $2.8 million budget, but the figure is just 19 percent. The center’s board last year hired Joe Villinski as development director in hopes of spurring more contributions.

Frank Lee, a member of the Metropolis board’s finance committee, said rising expenses last year also contributed to the situation where the theater ran out of the meager available cash this month and needed the village loan.

But there is some good news, including plans to announce that a “rock star” will perform a benefit concert for the theater, and Lily’s Talent Agency of Chicago also is organizing a fundraiser.

The NEC Corp. recently donated $30,000 in equipment, a projector and two flat screen televisions.

Looking back at his three years as executive director, Jarvis listed the theater’s 2010 Joan Baez concert as a highlight of his tenure.

“She hadn’t played a place this small in 27 years,” he said. “She’s a music icon, and 377 people were sitting no farther than 62 feet away from her while she was telling stories and playing music.”

On the flip side was “The Boys Next Door,” a drama about men with disabilities, which lost $30,000 despite Jarvis’ belief that it was the “best show we’ve ever done.” The show is close to Jarvis’ heart because his 5-year-old son, Wil, was born with Down syndrome.

Despite the show’s failure to draw huge audiences, Jarvis believes Metropolis should stage a strong issues-based show every other year — with the support of a foundation grant or corporate underwriting.

That said, he recognizes that the theater’s audience prefers modern musicals, such as “Pump Boys and Dinettes” and “I Love You. You’re Perfect. Now Change.” Comedies come in second.

“High School Musical” was the theater’s best-selling show, playing to 98 percent capacity. The only drama that came close was “A Streetcar Named Desire,” helped through name recognition and a contest for the best “Stella!!!” yell at nearby Peggy Kinnane’s Irish Restaurant and Pub.

Jarvis’ career in theater began 20 years ago when he received a gift of improvisation classes at Second City.

He later worked with actors Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Neil Flynn and Adam McKay in Chicago.

Jarvis started working at the Metropolis as a marketing volunteer five years before taking the executive director’s position in 2008.

He’s also appeared in productions there, and he and his wife, Tanya, were married on the Metropolis stage in 2005.

Their son has grown up playing with the Jersey Boys, walking in on sound checks and visiting with donors and artists, not to mention appearing in three shows.

The Metropolis board is expected to select Jarvis’ replacement soon from a field of more than 100 applicants.

Phillip Collins, Metropolis board president, said Jarvis’ departure is a big loss.

“Jim has done a phenomenal job with helping the organization continue to build a lot of successful relationships, both internally and within the arts community, as well as with the village and the general community,” he said.