off-stage right

Apple Tree Theatre in Chicago has closed.  According to the theatre’s website which does not have any information on the closing since the public announcement is scheduled for tomorrow – the theatre was 25 years old:

Apple Tree Theatre is committed to producing a diverse and challenging selection of both dramas and musicals, from new works to classics, all of which illuminate the human condition, celebrate the tenacity of the human spirit, and expand the vision and understanding of artists and audiences alike—culturally, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually, as they connect with one another. Holding to rigorous artistic standards, Apple Tree is determined to make these productions accessible by virtue of its regional location, by sensitive accommodation to the physical limitations of audience members, and by employing strategies to diversify its audiences.

 

Apple Tree Theatre in Highland Park, Illinois (near Lake Michigan in the Northshore suburbs of Chicago), has been producing award-winning plays and musicals since its inception in 1983.

The theatre announced it’s 2009-2010 on July 28, but now 6 weeks later is in such a precarious financial position that it apparently can’t refund the money. The Chicago Tribune reports that the theatre had a long history in education (40 years) and will close immediately:

Apple Tree Theatre’s board of directors plans to release a note Monday saying the Highland Park theater is going out of business, effective immediately.

 

In the note, Apple Tree says its doors will close, with the entire 2009-10 season canceled.

 

"This decision has not been made without a great deal of soul searching," the note says, "and only after exhaustive efforts to explore every possible avenue of financial support that would enable us to keep the doors open and the wonderful services and traditions alive." 

 

The note says further that the theater has laid off all its staff (there were six full-time positions, along with numerous instructors and actors who had expected to work with the theater). Students of the theater are told they will either receive refunds for their tuition or be offered alternate options.

 

"It’s the right business decision to make," said executive director Mark Weston on Saturday. "But it’s very emotional for many of us."

 

Weston said that he was working with other area theaters to honor Apple Tree subscription tickets. "I want to do right by our core believers," he said. However, subscribers won’t be able to get their money back.

Unlike the recent debacle at North Shore Music Theatre, where apparently according to the board and leadership no one was actually responsible for the horrible management of the company and tremendous pile of debt that it left to be paid with what auctioneers could raise from selling the property, we don’t really have a picture yet of the state of Apple Tree and what led to its (unfortunate?) demise. 

The theatre did lose its space a while back and has to relocate, but certainly this isn’t the excuse that will be used?  North Shore tried to blame its situation on an unfortunate fire, rather than the obvious bad management and fiscal irresponsibility that was rampant throughout the leadership, I for one hope that Apple Tree wasn’t the victim of the same kind of failures.  After all there could be lots of reasons other than failure from the board and staff leadership.  Certainly it’s not my place to make a judgment without facts – although it is difficult to reconcile the denial the organization must have been experiencing in July when they were announcing a season, starting a subscription campaign, and taking the funds of loyal patrons.  Certainly there must have been some indication of closing 6 weeks later?

As sad as it is for a theatre to close, often there is a time for such things, and sometimes little can be done to prevent it.  But when it happens, it shouldn’t be at the expense of long-time arts supporters.  It is difficult enough to keep our audiences, especially subscribers, and situations like this certainly don’t help! 

In advance, thank you to the theatres that will undoubtedly step up and provide an alternative subscription to these jilted theatre-goers who right about now must be feeling like they were snookered out of their money.

No related posts.