Legendary Coconut Grove Playhouse-Expected to Survive

Coconut Grove Playhouse-Miami Institution-Expected to Survive

There have been reports that Miami's legendary Coconut Grove Playhouse has shut down. A 'CLOSED' sign has been placed at the theater. *Extremely reliable sources assure me the Closed sign was placed due to legal advice. The theater's liability insurance had lapsed and the theater management and board was advised to put up a CLOSED sign until the liability insurance had been paid. This brought a bright spotlight on other financial predicaments. In the past several weeks, the Playhouse has issued some checks to staff and vendors, which have bounced. Two staffers tell me they were given their paychecks a couple of weeks ago and asked to hold onto them before depositing, until the following week.

It has been rough financial going this past year at the Grove Playhouse. It was during this time that the Coconut Grove Playhouse finalized a relationship for its productions to play at Fort Lauderdale's Parker Playhouse. Then, last year's hurricanes in Florida had a devastating effect on virtually all of South Florida; certainly on entertainment venues.

Ironically, the Grove's financial problems seemed to snowball just as the theater held is 50^th Anniversary Gala a few weeks ago, honoring Dick Van Dyke, Charles Cinnamon and hosted by Larry King.

Arnold Mittelman, the producing, artistic director of the Playhouse for decades, is no stranger to controversy. Through the years, Mittelman has had a few stormy times with different members of the Grove Playhouse's Board of Directors. However, he has been a steadfast presence at the theater and in the Miami community.

Lead Board members of the playhouse tell this writer, that they and other 'members of means' have 'stepped up to the plate,' and are pumping needed funds into the theater's bank account. Ticket sales for the Grove's scheduled upcoming production of Lucie Arnaz in 'Sonia Flew,' have been very weak. The theater, over fifty years old, has been in constant need of repairs; causing further huge financial drains.

This writer has been assured that this 'closing' is temporary. While uncertain about the immediate future of 'Sonia Flew,' a Board member told me, "the Coconut Grove Playhouse will be fine. It is NOT going to permanently close down in any way, shape or form. Not in our lifetimes, anyway."

This Playhouse quandary is taking place during the Passover holiday, which is observed by many of the Grove Playhouse's Board members, donors, and key staff. It has made information gathering for this story 'doubly difficult.' I will keep you posted, dear Reader, as to the future of this Miami landmark, as soon as I am able to unearth more information and as soon as "committees" of the Board have finalized forward movement.

*Sources for this story asked me to kindly not use their names in fear of offending any of their dear friends observing Passover; noting that the most observant do not conduct business of any sort, do not use the telephone, etc. during the holiday.   

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