It was exactly as Craig described it. An event that puts out that much noise should be indoors.

If MMA has an "undeserved" bad reputation, why was such a large police presence needed and why did the police helicopter keep circling?

How appropriate...the police chief and mayor at an event the promotes violence, that exemplifies all that is wrong with society instead of a community performance of one of literature's best plays...and we wonder why the arts are not supported here in Fresno.

Maybe WSF should give free tickets to Bubba and Jerry...oh wait...it's already free...

It was a pretty large crowd Saturday night for Shakespeare despite parking and noise issues associated with the Street Fighting (just another name for Mixed Martial Arts) going on down the road from the festival. I would say at least 300 people came in for Hamlet.

The Fight ended shortly before the play and a lot of fans made attempts to disrupt the play by yelling, screaming and honking their horns. It was pretty much like the parking lot of an Oakland Raider game.

I agree with Craig that a fighting event does not belong in the park. The parking and traffic alone should be proof of that. Unfortunately I hear that "Rumble in the Park" 2 is already in the works. Shame on ESPN 1430 and Bud Light for sponsoring this kind of event.

I was there that night and have tried to keep an open mind about the whole thing. But the more I reflect on it, I can't help but feel that the powers that be made an ill-advised choice in scheduling both events at the same time.

The WSF is such a gem that to intentionally schedule any event of that inevitable noise and disruption level right next door says a lot. It certainly doesn't show a lot of respect for the WSF, which has been around for four years. Their performance schedule was known well in advance, yet it was ignored.

I encourage the event planners to make a different choice next time around. And kudos to the WSF cast, crew and audience. Everyone kept their focus and showed good humor. I loved the show and truly appreciate Shakespeare in the Park. Let's give them our respect.

~C

Donald writes: I can usually understand how people come at things from different points of view, but I honestly can't figure out what would possess a person to yell, scream profanities and honk their horns at a Shakespeare play. Is it just the pent-up aggression that soaked into the crowd at the cage match? Or the streak of anti-intellectualism for which Americans are so famous? Would they have shouted at a string quartet, say, or a prayer service? Or does Shakespeare actually provoke a certain audience?

I attended Shakespeare in the Park's presentation of Hamlet on Saturday night. To say that the noise from the Rumble in the Park "bled over" into the play is a misnomer, it was more like a noise tsunami.

The effect was initially surreal, as only Fresno can be so so surreal. The Bard's immortal words drowned out by the sound track from Running Man or Rollerball.

This being said, the acoustics at Hamlet were better than those at Twelfth Night. However they changed the speaker configuration, it worked. The only way that any portion of the play was heard over the roar from the Coliseum - oh I mean Rotary Amphitheatre - was because of the diligence of the Shakespeare technical staff.

I think it is clearly a question of scheduling, or mis-scheduling. Any event held in the Rotary Amphitheatre producing noise levels like those from the Rumble would drown out other events in the park.

Also - sincere thanks to the police who were there in force, including mounted officers.

Fresno is a diverse city, with diverse tastes. We need those who oversee our public spaces to rise to this challenge.

I'm surprised that the Shakespeare folks got harassed. That's pretty lame and certainly doesn't help the sport of MMA. However, the fights were publicly protested and lots of "civilized" people right here in the Bee comments section were calling names and making derogatory comments toward fight fans. Which behavior is worse?

In answering Donald's question, the group I was with had a good laugh on that very issue. The night had something of a high school tinge to it with the artsy kids in one corner and the jocks in the other. If you're going to make Shakespeare Elizabethans bedfellows with Roman gladiators, you're bound to get some friction.

It seemed to me the whole point of the cage fighting event was to put folks in a rowdy and aggressive mood. So when that event was over, Hamlet was unfortunately its nearest target.

~C

Donald writes: Let's see, Dee. On one hand, you have a group of people making unflattering comments in a written forum designed for public interaction. On the other hand, you have a group of people attempting to disrupt a live play by shouting obscenities in an environment in which there's no way to keep the sound out of the performance space. Which behavior is worse? It kind of scares me that you can even ask the question.

which event was planned first? i imagine the play was scheduled in advance, but i'm also a little surprised that they didn't go dark that night. not that they shouldn't compete, but you should know that any pro sporting event in modern society is loud.

i've been following mr. scharton's posts on mindhub and found them informative, especially the original intended purpose for the park (bird sanctuary). however, almost every activity in that park interferes with such a purpose. i've worked at cross country meets, and i imagine birds don't love kids running through their living space with great frequency. bike riders, disc golfers, weddings, mma, and yes, shakespeare all are outside the original intention of the space and probably disrupt the birds in their own unique ways.

as for people yelling afterward, let's not blame everyone for the actions of a few. unless the crowd after the mma fight came over en masse and yelled 'eff you shakespeare,' i'm guessing it was more the extreme exception rather than the rule.

should mma be indoors? well, then hold all sporting events indoors. dome up bulldog stadium so residents around there can enjoy the quite. shoot, i'd prefer the event indoors because then it would have been air conditioned. outdoor events during the fresno summer? craaaazy.

finally, donald, i realize that you're trying to be witty by joking about the Bible and h.spees, but you're ignoring so many obvious stories of violence, murder, war and fighting. Jesus himself was executed in a very violent manner. Just as a liberal like craig (he admits that in his email) can enjoy mma, so can a guy who's been a local pastor, head of a ministry, and once rumored candidate for mayor.

1. Re: overwhelming turn out to MMA event:
---This thing made somebody some cash,
---so don't expect it to go away.
Bloodlust by any other name means profits...

2. Re: Police helicopter in constant circle pattern,
TONSA uniforms (and probable non-uniforms,)
and metal detection...
(okay, I'm sure all three are major features for all 'high-end' faire here in the 'no,)

---but in MY neighborhood when you have two guys engaged in combat (with helicopters overhead and sudden police presence)
---that's,
like,
you know,
a BAD thing,

(But hey, if Woodward Lake wants to get more authentic along the lines of life below the Nees,
--rock on wit yer bad selves.

(...it's funny, I mean, two guys with non-anglo names start throwing fists down here?
Folks be talkin' 'bout moving North,(or to Clovis)
and 'bout the 'neighborhood being such a ghetto.'

--Up North? They PAY to see two guys to injure each other in the pretty park...

(ahuh...)

3. Re: the Mayor and the Reverend attending (as anchorpoints of this being a quality and respectful
(yea 'Church approved,' event...)

---Yes, Gentlemen,
---exactly WHO is it that Jesus would beat the piss out of? (and send to the hospital on a backboard, for a wad of cash,) Anyway???
-somebody care to enlighten me on these verses?

Oh wait,
---he DID clear a church that had become overrun with crooked leaders and 'money-changing,' merchants that had reduced a house of prayer and healing ---into a house of merchandise... (and he did it with a whip, too...)

(I see no correlation between any of that and present day Fresno...)

...nope

Though it would be interesting to see what happens if somebody walked into NorthSide Church (or any other) with a TShirt and little wrist bands that said

'...Who Would Jesus Give a Concussion To?'
and
'...Heavenly Father Said Knock You Out,(Literally)...'

Sunday School Teachers are already queing for the give away pencils and coloring books for that one, I'm sure...

'...And here's where Jesus kicks the blind man,
and here's where he slaps up the woman caught in adultry, and,
oh look, here's Jesus doing a keg-stand before serving up the little lost lamb with some mint jelly,
boys and girls...'

(the Mennonites are just shaking their head and saying '...we need to go help out the folks in Florida after that hurricane NOW, cause it's getting too weird here in the 'no...)

(...though Charasmatic/Pentecostally speakin'?
It would be the ONE time where 'getting slain in the spirit,' would actually be somewhat close to the actual meaning,
and wouldn't involve a couple of guys catching you as you swoon
-then throwing a towel over you as you go off in some sort of heavenly seizure...)

(...can I get an amen.)

'Fresno: the Reality Series...'
(rated R for ri-donk-u-lus)

--don't bother with a scriptwriter, just push a button and record...

Theatre is my profession. MMA is my passion.

In college, we realized the massive similarities of sports and the arts, and found a way for both to co-sponsor each other. The art types showed up to cheer for our sports heroes with quite creative signs and slogans, and our sportsmen and women participated and enjoyed in theatrical entertainment.

We communicated. We cross-promoted. And we all got along.

Last Saturday was a war of sound, of under-educated audience members (for both events), and of public perception.

I love MMA fights. I work as an event coordinator for them. But to schedule this event opposite a live theatre performance shows ignorance and apathy by the Woodward Park scheduling crew.

H. Spees, the Mayor, and Jerry Dyer SHOULD show thier support for such an exciting form of entertainment that draws the masses. Were the Olympics here, those men should be there!

And if a film festival were to draw, say, over 10,000 people, those men should BE there. Because Reel Pride audience members have an undeserved bad reputation.

God Bless Craig Scharton. He has a way with words and the reputation to allow him to speak freely and publicly with respect.

Long live MMA and WSF. And may they next time work together with the help of the City/Parks department for the benefit of each other. Frankly I'd LOVE to see Casey 'The Underdog' (with some training) play Hamlet, and S. Eric Day (with some training) could likely kick some behind in the Octagon.

i was discussing this issue w/a friend and he informed me that he went to a play a year or so back and that there was a concert scheduled in another part of the park that evening. the sound of the play was compromised @ points. it seems this isn't the first (or last) time a play has run up against an issue. in fact, having read renee(solitaire)'s blog i have heard of all the issues of scheduling and performing plays @ the park.

perhaps donald, instead of making it mma vs theatre (us vs them) should make it city scheduling monkees vs sensibility.

I've been to Shakespeare in the Park for the past three years. Loved it. Also attended Rumble in the Park last Saturday night. Loved it, too. Can a person/citizen/taxpayer enjoy both Shakespeare and MMA? Yes! Of course, just not on the same night in the same venue. ~ Is Shakespeare and MMA a marriage made in heaven? Nope. Can both co-exist in Woodward Park? Probably. ~ Hindsight is always 20/20: Shakespeare should have gone "dark" last Saturday night. Most likely, there will be a Rumble in the Park II in the future. Be prepared, be ready. ~ In the words of Rodney King: "Why can't we all just get along?" (1991)

Interesting questions here, and some strong support on both sides.

For the record, I'll let you know that the Saturday August 23 performance of Hamlet was booked in late 2007, early 2008. The Rumble in the Park Event was added to the calendar much later.

Also - when WSF "goes" dark (particularly when it does so on short notice) it costs the company hundreds of dollars in lost donations, as well as the money it spends to to produce and promote a performance that doesn't happen. Then, WSF staff gets the unenviable task of notifying a disappointed audience who arrive at the park expecting a play. There are some real compelling reasons to go on with the show, and frankly - if WSF went dark every time there was amplified sound competition, it would "lose" about 25% of its scheduled performances.

I think you'll all agree that isn't any way to treat a loyal audience.

It's easy to say the company should have gone dark, but people should understand that there are consequences to that decision.

First of all - give me a break !! Obviously all you "whiners/crybabies" have no life !! You just try to find things to compalin about no matter what the situation is. You obviously need to look yourself in the mirror and try to justify your purpose in life because talking crap about others ?? give me a break.....
Me (yes i am a girl), my husband and some friends of ours drove over 1 hr all the way to Fresno to watch "Rumble in the Park I" - we love Casey "The underdog" Olson and MMA itself.
Casey is "busting his butt" by trying to help promote the Central Valley and all you losers can do is sit back and complain - GET A LIFE ALREADY !!
You should be complaining about the people who scheduled these 2 events on the SAME night !! These fighters are out there putting on a GREAT show that was well worth the price of the tickets (by the way we paid $75 each for).
We can't wait for "Rumble in the Park II" !!
Keep up the great work Casey "the Underdog" !!

Don't get a nosebleed up there on your soapbox Heather Mario.

And there is only one Heather allowed on the Beehive and it sure as hell ain't you.

Ok, well, I've sat quietly back and read everything everyone has posted. I understand each ones view. But what I don't understand is where everyone forgets that sometimes, we aren't gonna get the things we want. Sometimes things are gonna go bad or the wrong way or great and the right way, but no matter what, we simply have to deal with it. Now, I am sorry that the viewers for hamlet didn't get to enjoy the play as well as they usually would in the past. I am sorry for all the people who were in the play or part of the production crew for feeling disrupted, I understand that u put in a lot of work to put on such an event, and I do apologize that it was obviously overlooked. I do apologize for those that yelled vulgar statements across the park. However, I am not sorry, that I busted my butt for the past 2 months preparing for this fight, I am not sorry I made the crowd cheer with "tsunami like noise". That's my job. That's what I do. Now as for me, my name is Casey "the underdog" olson. I am the one of the reasons this whole event took place. And I was born and raised here in fresno. And I think no matter what kind of big events that r thrown here in fresno or anywhere, there will be people who like and dislike. But, I just want u all to know one thing, becuz there was a lot of religion comments, that I don't think are fair or even should come into play with this. I am a christian. I do believe in God, and I'm NOT AFRAID to say it. Matter of fact I thank god b4 and after every fight for his blessings and this opportunity w/ mixed martial arts (MMA) to somehow reach someone in the audience. I pray that somehow his will shines thru me and that they don't look at the general picture of the fight, but what it takes to get to the fight. Yes I do fight for a living. But, I'm not a good fighter, I am a GREAT COMPETITOR, there is a difference. And for me the reason y I CHOOSE to continue this career is becuz I've always wanted to inspire, I've always wanted to be someone kids/adults could look up to. We live in a world with MANY FALSE IDOLS, and with a sport, and yes, this is a sport, that has overtaken many other sports and entertainment events, I'm VERY proud to be apart of something that gets judged so poorly sometimes w/o looking at its whole perspective. This sport is what is "in" these days. And if I can do my job to be a "good godly example" of it, and thru MMA, or "fighting" show what hard work, dedication, responsibilty, loyalty, spirituality, responsibility, and even well mannered is all about, then I will continue to do it. If thru MMA I can reach even one person and give them a sense of motivation and inspiration that they can do anything they want in life if they dedicate themselves, and workhard, and etc.., then I will. I believe there is good here, and I will sacrifice myself, my body, my name, my persona, my image for that good. I ask that u all look at the big picture and not just fighting. For me, there is a bigger purpose. I am the underdog for a reason. And I follow the biggest underdog ever to step foot in this world, JESUS CHRIST. And yes, even God, sacrificed his "only son jesus christ" becuz of a bigger purpose. I apologize for those who dnt like it, but I don't apologize for doin my job sat nite. Becuz there's a bigger purpose. And I'm proud that God has decided to use me for it. Whether your with me or against me, Thank u for this opportunity to speak out....
The Underdog
Casey Olson

Donald writes: Peter, I simply don't understand your rationale for saying that Shakespeare should have gone dark on Saturday night. Here's how it should work: Woodward Shakespeare should get top priority for its scheduled season, which is established long in advance. It's a longtime, bona fide, non-profit cultural institution. (And it's not as if Shakespeare totally monopolizes the Woodward Park calendar; it puts on two months worth of shows a year, leaving lots of other spring/summer/fall weekends for other entertainment activities.) If there's an amphitheatre event that conflicts with Shakespeare during its season, meaning one with music so loud that it would drown out the play, then that event should be moved to one of the four nights of the week that the theater is dark.

Here's an analogy: The Philharmonic and Fresno Grand Opera are established institutions that book the Saroyan Theatre far in advance. It would not be acceptable for the Saroyan to rent out the Saroyan courtyard for a rock concert on one of those dates. Neither should Woodward Shakespeare get bumped every time a for-profit promoter wants to stage an event.

We can speculate all we want on the intentions of the Woodward will, but I'm absolutely certain that a non-profit organization's production of FREE Shakespeare in the park is much, much closer to that original vision than a for-profit, cage-fighting match with tickets costing $70.

Casey, if MMA is such a religious experience -- God is using you for it??? Do you talk to him much? -- maybe admission should be free. Just like the Shakespeare.

Actually, I never said it was a religious experience, I didn't get to know god thru mma, but I did bring my relationship with him with me, just like on any other job. I believe u misunderstood, or I miscommunicated somehow. But I mean that hopefully thru my job I can touch at least one life on a personal level. I never said it was like goin to church. And I have fought for free b4. It was to benefit a family in need. Sat nite was an event, just like goin to the fair, or the movies,etc, why isn't anything for free then. Thnk u for ur response tho. Very much appreciated.

Donald, I agree with your last statement in that there's no reason both events cannot happen... it would just be nice if the events were scheduled better so the overlap doesn't happen. IF/When the WSF gets a permanent space this hopefully will not be an issue as the construction of a permanent space would account for the bleeding sound and block it out or at least muffle it a bit.

Casey, I've known you since high school and I think you're totally rockin it! Keep up the good work!

I , too, agree with what Donald has said. There are many, many days in the year for the Woodward scheduling committee to chose for these paying events and there is absolutely no reason that any events should overlap. The real problem lies with the people responsible for this clueless booking error.

I do want to compliment the WSF actors and staff. As a performer, I know that it cannot be easy to continue your work onstage with blaring music, or yelling, or whatever. It has to be frustrating and disappointing. Yet, I have not heard one bad word from anyone associated with this production! I think the love for your art has elevated your thoughts and actions above this problem. Congratulations on being stellar representatives of what Fresno has to offer in both its art and its people! Barbara Vlymen

so...two entertaining events, poor or inconsiderate planning from the parks and rec department, and a few idiots who probably thought they were amazingly funny (f**k, hamlet...how blisteringly original.)

kudos to both groups for doing what they do. but, damn, wouldn't it be just kinda nice (and maybe not so god-awful fresno) if, just for once, everybody could work together to the benefit of all?

just a silly notion....

etonne-moi

gt

I just wanted to add, that unless I missed something, the WSF cast, crew and audience showed true professionalism, grace, and good nature. They didn't engage in what was being thrown at them. Instead, they went on to give an amazing performance and even celebrated their 100th performance.

I'm a little perplexed that folks have responded by either saying the WSF should have gone dark or should do a better job of getting along. It may sound overly simplistic, but from what I saw, they were completely without any kind of fault that night.

In the spirit of resolve, perhaps Casey could ask the parks department to avoid cross-scheduling of events.

Also, does Jay or someone else have someone at the parks department the public could contact to encourage them to rethink these kinds of scheduling choices?

Thanks for the public discussion!

~C

Donald writes: I'm cross-posting a comment I made to another Beehive thread that popped up regarding the MMA-Hamlet controversy:

One important thing to consider in this discussion is that the screwed-up scheduling by the city's parks department in this case is not an isolated incident. In fact, there have been several high-profile incidents that show a blatant disregard by the city's parks department for the Woodward Shakespeare Festival. These include:

-- A sudden requirement for a building permit for building a temporary set in the new location, even though such a permit had never been required in previous years. The company lost a full day of volunteer time for set construction.

-- A double-booking by the parks department for the company's new space. A charity event was booked in for the Saturday of opening weekend of "Twelfth Night," and the company had to go dark.

-- In 2007, the parks department decided to schedule the transformation of Woodward Park from one-way traffic to two-way traffic at a time that squarely conflicted with performances of "The Taming of the Shrew." Although city officials gave repeated assurances that the asphalt would be dry enough for the show to go on, the company ended up having to cancel two shows in a row -- a Friday and a Saturday. Hundreds of patrons unaware of the cancellation showed up anyway, and WSF volunteers had to stand at the park entrance and turn them away. As I wrote at the time, can you imagine other cities treating their Shakespeare festivals with such disregard, if not downright disdain? A volunteer Shakespeare festival is a time-consuming, expensive and delicate process -- one that should be enthusiastically nurtured by any city interested in advancing its image, not treated as a second-class citizen by mid-level park bureaucrats.

And now the MMA scheduling incident. I agree with those who say that a broad swath of fans shouldn't be smeared for the actions of a few. What's disturbing to me is that an event that was far too loud/raucous to be performed right across from a Shakespeare play was scheduled.

Can MMA and Shakespeare coexist in the park? Sure, on different nights. But with the present configuration of performance spaces, not at the same time.