It’s amazing the things that can survive a fire: a rosary on a desk inches away from flames burning 800 to 1000°, founding documents in a small trunk sitting at the foot of the same desk, an unopened bag of Ruffles potato chips in the kitchen cabinet on the adjacent wall — unscathed (not kidding), the “Picasso” in the lobby and an eclectic giant 8 ft. papier mâché Giraffe that’s been with your company since its very start.
The Giraffe joined us at 3614 Main in 2006. He belonged to a guy named Duncan from Philadelphia, who left him naked in the parking lot. He had planned to put him in a dumpster, but we said no, because putting a Giraffe in a dumpster seem to be associated with some pretty bad karma, so we brought him inside.
He was woebegone and naked, pretty forlorn.
Actors dressed him. He became quite dapper in his silk ties, velvet saddle blanket crafted from a costume from “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” the occasional hat, and eventually a mask during the pandemic.
There were times I thought he was silly, and as a professional company, we should probably get him out of the lobby, but when he was moved to the back, audience members asked where he was and insisted that he be brought back. So, back he came.
Actress Marilyn Lynch researched and found him to be an excellent spirit animal. The Giraffe’s height lets him see beyond the present, warning the other animals of what’s coming, and together all are safer: He is an animal “lighthouse.” He can see the future.
He’s been our mascot now for almost 20 years.
Of all the things in the lobby, he was perhaps the most fragile, I mean he’s paper, yet he survived — filthy with smoke, but waiting for us in the lobby nonetheless.
MET lost a lot in the fire on Feb. 7, but the most important things survived: creativity, determination, faith, friendship, family, and the Warwick herself.
Every day we are making progress and can’t wait to have you back, or there for the first time. When you come, the Picasso will be there, and that Giraffe.
But most importantly, we hope you’ll find great art, joy and that sense of welcome and knowledge that All of it is for you. The Warwick is “the place for us.” The total intent of its purpose is to serve our whole community.
Because as it turns out, our whole community saved us.
So glad we saved the Giraffe that day long ago. It turns out, Karma counts, and he’s still here.
–Karen Paisley, Producing Artistic Director
