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Council authorizes $187,500 agreement with Pemberley Productions for The Woman in Black after debate about season funding
Summary
The council authorized the city manager to execute a contract with Pemberley Productions to present The Woman in Black in the Margaret Lesher Theatre for an amount not to exceed $187,500; the 3–1 vote followed debate over season costs and local casting.
The Walnut Creek City Council voted 3–1 to authorize the city manager to execute an agreement with Pemberley Productions for the presentation of The Woman in Black, in an amount not to exceed $187,500.
Carolyn Jackson, city staff overseeing Lesher Center programming, told the council the contract amount triggers council review under the city's purchasing policy because a single vendor is providing the acting company and production services. Jackson said about $15,000 of the deposit is in the current fiscal year and the remainder is in FY27; she also said the department expects to request additional funds in the FY26–27 budget to address rising labor and material costs.
Council discussion centered on whether to approve the single‑vendor co‑production before council saw the full 2025–26 season and amid citywide budget constraints. Councilmember (opponent) said, "without seeing the full season schedule, I'm reticent to approve funds for this" and added, "I can't in good conscience do that." Other council members said waiting until the season announcement would delay the production and that the contract is within typical production costs; staff projected ticket sales would exceed production costs by roughly $10,000.
Vote and outcome: The motion to authorize the city manager to execute the agreement for an amount not to exceed $187,500 passed on a roll call vote (Silva: yes; Mayor Mary Darling: yes; Councilmember DeViney: yes; Mayor Pro Tem Welt: no). The packet and staff comments said the production will be staged in the 300‑seat Margaret Lesher Theatre.
Why it matters: The council authorization commits the city to a sizable single‑vendor production and sparked a broader council discussion about Lesher Center budgeting, local casting and the timing of season announcements amid anticipated budget pressures.
Ending: Councilmembers asked staff to return with budget and strategic plan context for the Lesher Center in upcoming budget meetings.
