Every August, in our City Guide issue, the staff of this magazine publishes its annual “Who’s Who,” designed to showcase the hundred or so Memphians whom we consider our most notable citizens. And for the most part, we do a reasonably thorough job of introducing readers to an impressive group of prominent individuals in our community.
Not this year. Last month, we managed to leave two very important people out of this year’s “Who’s Who.” Okay, it was a production glitch, and yes, these things happen, and of course, everybody makes mistakes. But this one was a real clunker. Not only are these two gentlemen “Who’s Who” regulars; they just happen also to be in the same line of work!
Dionysus certainly wasn’t smiling upon our office when we somehow left Pat Halloran (above left) and Jackie Nichols (above right), twin pillars of the Memphis theatre community for over three decades, off the list. As founding fathers of their respective institutions (Pat’s being The Orpheum and Jackie’s being Playhouse on the Square), both have played critical roles since the 1970s in Memphis’ evolution into what is now considered one of the strongest regional-theatre markets in the country. Between them, they have devoted over seventy years towards making Memphis a better place, on stage and off.
We’re still not quite sure why the Fates singled out Pat and Jackie for exclusion in this year’s City Guide. But rest assured they won’t be left out again. I can’t afford to take these old friends out to dinner every year.
