By Kevin Lee Associate Editor

All good things come to an end and so it goes with the leadership at Mobile’s Saenger Theatre.

Allen Sanders, general manager of the landmark venue, is leaving the job March 9 to accept a similar position in Montgomery for PCH Hotels and Resorts, a subsidiary of Retirement Systems of Alabama.

Sanders didn’t always work in the entertainment field. Employed at International Paper for 23 years, the Mobile native took his organizational skills to Hattiesburg to manage their Saenger Theatre in 1999. After a couple of years in the Magnolia State, Sanders returned home in September of 2001 to accept the job at the theater on Joachim Street.

Since then, the 50-year-old has been a key force in bringing a recent spate of top-level performers to downtown Mobile. “I feel like my track record speaks for itself,” he said. “The way we’ve gotten this facility in gear and the shows we’ve booked have been big.”

And what a record that is. The last few years have seen the historic hall extend its hosting duties from the usual operatic and symphonic fare that normally provided the fullest houses of the year to draw performers like Willie Nelson and Allison Krauss to the Azalea City’s grandest, yet often underutilized, venue.

Sanders oversaw not only the most extensive renovation of the theater in 70 years, but also a pair of hurricanes-Ivan in 2004 and Katrina in 2005-that threatened to wreak havoc on the repairs. “Even more than the hurricanes, the renovations have been our biggest challenge during my time here,” Sanders said. “The way we upgraded the facilities and the sound system made a huge difference. Our first full year of shows (2006) validated those renovations.”

Ironically, Katrina resulted in advancing Saenger fortunes. “I hate to say this because so many people suffered as a result of it” Sanders said, “but Hurricane Katrina really helped us out. When the casinos were taken out of the mix, we got some shows they would’ve landed.”

The result? Mobile’s name is back on the lips of arts and entertainment personnel around the nation. “I think the buzz about Mobile has picked up, it’s changed,” Sanders said. “Agents are now looking at Mobile as a genuine place to play.”

Sanders saw it as his duty. “My job was to get Mobile back on the map, to get rid of the old stigmatism,” he said. Allen saw the residual fallout from the city’s auditorium scandal of the ‘70s and ‘80s hamstring efforts to attract big name performers. “If you do business the right way,” he explained, “if you take care of people, you’ll get it done. I think we’ve done that. Everything from sound quality to the crew has to be professional.”

Sanders recalled one incident that told him he was on the right track. “Right after Ivan hit,” he recounted, “Allison Krauss and her people called from the road to make sure we were all okay. That was really satisfying to think we left enough of an impression on them that they pulled out a cell phone and called us to check up.”

Sanders has seen the ripple effect of the Saenger rejuvenation throughout the city. “The night of the Styx show here,” he said, “I noticed all the people meandering around downtown before the show. There were people on the streets, going to the different businesses. It felt good to know we helped make that possible.”

“I feel like this place is my baby,” Sanders said, “but I need to step back and let it grow.”

The job Sanders accepted in Montgomery will bear similar duties. Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa at the Convention Center, scheduled to open in early 2008, will contain an 1,800-seat theater where RSA hopes Sanders can recreate his Mobile magic. “They called me in January of this year and said they had been watching me for a few months,” Sanders said. “I think the deciding factor was my track record.”

For the time being, Saenger box office manager Chris Penton will attempt to fill Sanders’ big shoes. Penton has been promoted to assistant manager and will operate as the interim general manager.

Sanders’ advice to his successor? “Don’t think you’re in a big hurry,” he offered, “Treat it like a historic theater. Be good to the old lady.”

Sanders said other plans are in their early stages to utilize the pocket park adjacent to the theater that faces Dauphin Street. “That would be the next thing in line, some place that could make this more convenient for guests,” he said. “Eventually, improvements to the back of the house, to the dressing rooms and all would be next, too.”

Despite his relocation upstate, the siren call of the coast will always remain. “My wife really loves the beach,” he chuckled, “so we’ll be spending a lot of time back down here.”

Kevin Lee is Lagniappe associate editor. Contact him at klee@lagniappemobile.com.

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