UPDATE: Arizona Theatre Company's Season Can Be Saved By Matching $1 Million Pledge

As reported by BroadwayWorld, on Monday June 27th, the Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) informed its subscribers and donors that its 50th Anniversary 2016-17 season will be cancelled unless a $2 million debt can be erased by this Friday, July 1st.

The theatre announced this morning that Tucson business leader and Arizona Theatre Company board member Mike Kasser will guarantee $1 million toward the company's fund-raising goal if an equal amount can be raised through the outreach effort now underway.

As a result, the ATC Board of Trustees has extended the fund-raising deadline for this effort to Friday, July 15th. Board of Trustees Chair Cameron C. Artigue says a private donor has committed $100,000 as a separate donation to ensure that ATC operations can continue until the new deadline.

"I am hopeful that this guarantee based on the responses I've received in Tucson will encourage others in our community, and particularly our friends in Phoenix where ATC also is a major artistic and cultural influence, to join us in ensuring that this iconic and vital arts institution continues operating," Kasser said. "Having strong support from both communities will help convince people who may be uncertain about making a donation that there is widespread belief in and support for ATC. We simply cannot afford to see Arizona Theatre Company go dark."

Artigue says that if the necessary funds are not secured, the company "will be forced step back and consider all of our options which include going on a temporary hiatus to restructure the business model to ensure its long-term sustainability or permanently shutting down."

"Ironically, despite the past two seasons being among our most successful, both in terms of artistic acclaim and ticket sales, we experienced a disappointing year in our ability to attract the necessary level of contributed income to continue that progress," he said. "We remain hopeful, but have to address the situation realistically."

The state's only LORT Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company began as a community theatre in Tempe and now stages productions both there and in Phoenix. ATC has produced more than 200 plays, from the classics of Shakespeare, Shaw, and Moliere to the works of contemporary writers such as Shepard, Stoppard, and Fugard. ATC has also committed itself to the development and presentation of new works, both on the main-stage and through special programs.

The intended 2016-17 season includes two popular new plays from the most recent Broadway season, Mike Bartlett's KING CHARLES III and David Javerbaum's AN ACT OF GOD, followed by the classic musical, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. The season's second half would include THE RIVER BRIDE by Marisela Treviño Orta, winner of the company's National Latino Playwriting Award, the Johnny Cash revue RING OF FIRE and Jeffrey Hatcher's new mystery, HOLMES AND WATSON.

Artistic Director David Ira Goldstein introduces the season in the video. Visit ArizonaTheatre.org.