It’s no secret around here that I love spreadsheets. Love building them, love editing them, especially love analyzing data in them and using that data to make informed decisions. Even I, though, have to admit that sometimes a spreadsheet is not enough.

I sat there with Chris Schram, Redmoon’s Executive Director, and Rebecca Hunter, the Producing Director. I had so many spreadsheets in front of me, with the attendance information for Boneyard Prayer, with historical data from other shows, with projections for how many people would attend this performance, how many people might attend that performance. And don’t get me wrong, it was all useful in leading to the decision to extend the show. But it wasn’t enough.

At the end of the day, we realized we have a beautiful piece of theater in front of us. A heart-wrenching, fascinating show performed by an incredibly talented cast, featuring extraordinary visuals and fabulous original music. And we owe it to the theater-goers of Chicago to offer as many of them as possible the opportunity to see this show.

Spreadsheets are helpful, but they only take you so far. Pride and faith are also absolutely vital. And right now, we have those things in spades. It’s a pretty good feeling.