M
y abiding belief in a couple of
age-old sayings “timing is everything”
and “everything happens for a reason”
was amply confirmed when I sat down
with my featured guest for this article
— Jack Lucas — president of Spokane-
based WestCoast Entertainment, and the
man who has been bringing the STCU
Best of Broadway series to our Lilac
City.
I mention this because after I had
originally set up and confirmed this
interview with Jack some time ago,
to talk solely about the STCU Best of
Broadway series, less than 24 hours
prior to our meeting he announced his
retirement after 40 remarkable years in
the entertainment industry. The article
had now just taken on an additional
complexion, as you’re about to find out!
So firstly, Jack, on behalf of Spokane
and the entire Northwest region, we at
Art Chowder wish you a very happy
and well-deserved retirement, and thank
you for illuminating our stages with
the pizazz, culture and show business
splendor from one of the world’s greatest
performing arts avenues.
The wide world of theater and music
must clearly have been somewhere in the
back of Jack’s mind from an early age
when, realizing he enjoyed singing and
performing, and having a tuneful voice,
he took to the stage himself to become
the lead vocalist in several upcoming
local bands.
Duty called as Jack left high school and
he was presented with a bit of a military
quandary — either be drafted into the
U.S. Army for a two-year tour of duty
in Vietnam, or sign up for four years in
the U.S. Navy. Hoping to avoid Vietnam
Jack opted for the latter, but ironically
ended up serving on board the USS
Coral Sea (CVA-43), participating in two
WestPac cruises that took him up and
down the coast of Vietnam!
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ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE
Jack Lucas
When his military time came to a
conclusion, Jack returned to his musical
endeavors by enrolling at Eastern
Washington University and there gained
a B.A. Degree in Music, after which
he began teaching music and theater
to his students. Wishing to expand his
horizons in the entertainment industry,
his first entry into the profession
arrived after his father introduced him
to operators at several local venues,
including the Spokane Arena and the
Performing Arts Center. Jack was
offered an entry-level job as a part-time
usher, allowing him to still continue with
his teaching duties.
Reinforcing my belief in “timing is
everything,” less than a year later the
building manager of the Performing
Arts Center saw promise in Jack’s
drive and enthusiasm and invited him
to become the event supervisor (aka
front of house manager) for all of the
evening performances. Since this was
a full time career and came along in the
summertime when school was in recess,
Jack leapt at the opportunity and gladly
accepted the position.