Magic Circle Theatre's artistic director, Elsa Con, issued a letter today stating that the Carmel Valley venue's next show, The Mountaintop," will mark its last. Come Sept. 30, the curtains will close for good "unless stable funding can be found to keep it operating."
From I'm Not Rappaport and Superior Donuts to Proof and the Peninsula premiere of The Laramie Project, the cozy 60-seat venue hasn't been one to shy away from some of the more controversial works throughout its nearly 15-year tenure.
But Con says this time, the challenges are exponentially greater due to "an unexpected" $10,000 increase in its Workers Compensation Insurance and a retroactive bill of $10,000 for Workers Comp in 2013. Additionally, they've experienced a $20,000 shortfall in projected donations for this 2014 season.
Con adds, "Magic Circle Theatre has also experienced an unusual drop off in tickets sales (30 percent) coinciding with Monterey Herald doing fewer reviews and stopping printed theatre listings."
"The Board and I have faced and assessed the financial and stressful realities of running a small theatre in these times and have decided to turn off the lights at the end of September," Con says.
The Board has worked vigorously, reaching out to all its major donors on begging knees, however, the theatre still needs $12,000 just to produce its final show.
"Any contribution you can make to help Magic Circle Theatre stage its final production would be much appreciated," Con says.
Concerts will continue until the building is sold.
To keep the theatre alive beyond September, it would require $25,000 for this season and $50,000-$70,000 annually in donations (Magic Circle is a 501c3 non-profit organization.)
That's $100,000 total. They need a hail mary badly.
Interested donors may contact Dr. Richard Jackson, President of the Board, at buckyjackson@sbcglobal.net or 831-659-8299.
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