Podium Performers

Music Center Speaker Series Begins Sophomore Season

by Kristin Friedrich

By last fall, the schedule was set for the second Music Center Speaker Series, which kicks off this Thursday with Dan Rather. There were 10 nights in the program, up from last year's eight, and renewals from people who bought packages in 2005 were selling well.

President Clinton was the highlight of last year's Music Center Speaker Series. He returns to Downtown this April. Photo by Gary Leonard.
"Then we got a call after Thanksgiving," said series co-producer Dan Savage, "that Clinton wanted to come to L.A. in the spring."

Former President Bill Clinton was the standout last year. He sold out his two nights at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion quickly and received a five-minute standing ovation before he opened his mouth. Having him back was a no-brainer, even though it meant reprinting literature and calling everyone who had renewed to ask if they would purchase another ticket for the April 5 or 6 events. "I think 100% said yes," Savage assured.

Savage said expensive speakers don't like their prices quoted, but in an interview last year, he called Clinton a "$100,000 speaker." Even at that price tag, his repeat performance is a coup for a series in its sophomore season. "He does very few dates a year. This spring he does two nights here, two in Canada, and then heads home."

Clinton appears within a week of General Colin Powell, who has been on Savage's wish list since last year.

The notion of security and logistics for the Clinton/Powell week doesn't bother Savage. "I have found, in 30-plus years of doing this, that the bigger they are, the nicer they are," he said.

Clinton's Company

There are two packages for the 2006 slate, which runs from January through April. Series A includes Rather, the former anchor and managing editor for "CBS Evening News" and current "60 Minutes" correspondent; journalist and author Bill Moyers; writer Salman Rushdie; Clinton; Powell; and Spanish-speaking author Carlos Fuentes. Series B is comprised of Rather; NPR correspondent Nina Totenberg; Hotel Rwanda hero Paul Rusesabagina; Clinton; Powell; and author and New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman.

"I've heard from some people that it's pretty left this year," Savage said. "That's not what we're trying to do. These are just people who have made it their chosen field."

The series packages that remain now range from $150 to $550 (for six events). Single tickets for Rather, Moyers and Totenberg are also on sale ($50-$150), and $50 cash-only rush tickets are often available two hours before an event, for full-time students and patrons over 65.

There were numerous highlights during the 2005 season. For Savage, the biggest moment was Clinton's ovation. "It was like we brought out Elvis," said Savage. Another prominent moment, he said, came when political insider David Gergen looked out at his Baby Boomer listeners and asked what they were going to stand for. He went on to insinuate, recalls Savage, that "Vietnam and the go-go '80s" might not be enough.

Not many people were familiar with Daniel Libeskind, the architect chosen to rebuild the World Trade Center. But he showed slides and revealed an architectural thought process that stunned and moved the crowd. Then there was Charlie Rose, who had a childlike delight at standing in the Walt Disney Concert Hall. He has talked to Savage about producing other events there.

"If it's an interesting subject and if they have passion - Libeskind taught me this - it works," Savage said.

For next year's season, Savage is courting the Dalai Lama and Joan Didion. Other goals include making New York's Lincoln Center a sister venue, and creating more balance between male and female speakers.

Ticket sales are slightly below last season, Savage admitted, which he speculates could be blamed on those who have a long drive from the Westside, or the lessened novelty of the series. He also thinks people are leery of Rather and the Bush-related scandal which surrounded his departure from "CBS Evening News."

But Savage is confident that the "talk radio, PBS crowd" will turn out. "As the Baby Boomers age, live speaker events have become popular. Somebody's up there that has lost a son or daughter, and they still write a bestseller. They're real. They know what life is like."