CenterStage book project held up by snag

The tale of Richmond CenterStage, from its origin as Loew's Theatre to Richmond's "most significant -- and costliest -- arts initiative," will not be told by the writer originally commissioned for the project.

The CenterStage Foundation killed plans to publish "Richmond CenterStage: A Dream Fulfilled" after author Roy Proctor refused to do additional research and to rewrite his draft to downplay controversies over the $73.5 million project.

"I could not possibly have adhered to those things because I would have been falsifying history on a monumental scale," said Proctor, who retired in 2004 as an arts writer and critic for the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Foundation officials insisted they are not trying to rewrite history but said the draft was too much a summary of newspaper articles and void of the anecdotes of performers and shows that had been part of the initial pitch for the book project last summer. Proctor said he considered conducting extensive interviews but decided to work largely from newspaper clippings.

"We are not trying to falsify history, change it," foundation spokesman Jay Smith said. "We felt the manuscript provided was incomplete" and inappropriate for a keepsake book.

"We didn't hire him as a journalist," foundation board member Susan Fitz-Hugh added. "We hired him as an author."

With CenterStage set to open next month, the foundation still plans to publish a commemorative book but is looking for another writer. Officials said they know now to put their expectations in writing before manuscripts are submitted. The book, which had been expected by Christmas, is now more likely next spring.

Proctor said he was given no editorial restrictions when he agreed to the project.

Last month, the project hit a snag after Proctor submitted a three-chapter draft. The third chapter chronicled the foundation's eight-year effort to open CenterStage, despite fundraising struggles and critics, including then-Mayor L. Douglas Wilder.

Foundation officials followed up with more than 50 comments and suggested edits, including a concern about the author's "negative, glib and critical comments of Richmond events and institutions, including the project." They complained that the foundation's perspective was absent and suggested interviews with board members.

On July 24, the foundation put in writing its objectives for the book, which included maintaining an objective view of people, theaters and projects of the city and mentioning no individuals or other parties, including salaries or other financial information, without consent.

"If you had told me last summer that I had to write a book according to those rules, I would have rejected the commission out of hand," Proctor responded in an e-mail to Erin Rodman, marketing manager for the CenterStage Foundation. Proctor provided copies of his book draft and e-mail exchanges with the foundation to The Times-Dispatch upon request.

Proctor said he supports CenterStage, and his introduction to the book said it's a story about "renewed life." The section concludes, "Richmond CenterStage endured incredibly protracted labor pains, but the baby is beautiful. Rejoice!" He declined to give details but said his settlement will pay for his work to date -- about 85 percent of his original fee.

Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or .