Stunned by firing

What’s wrong with this picture?

When I picked up the Saturday edition of The Spokesman, I was stunned. “Artistic director fired at Civic.” When Yvonne A.K. Johnson came to Spokane eight years ago, she was assigned the rather stark task of restoring financial balance to the Spokane Civic Theatre. Within one year she had made great strides in doing so. My wife and I would occasionally attend a play at the Civic, but after meeting Yvonne we soon became season ticket holders. Her play selection, professionalism, her capability for filling seats and her upbeat attitude soon became apparent.

All she has accomplished over the past eight years is restore respectability to a great little theater, and once again make Spokane proud of its cultural presence. I’m certain that she has had to make decisions that were difficult. That’s leadership. During the financial times we were in, this year she managed total revenue of more than $1.14 million and a net income of $106,942. Her progress reports have always been steady and positive.

She’s professional, tough when she has to be, but the sky’s the limit for the Civic while she’s at the helm.

Ed and Darlene Muzatko

Spokane