Philly's Devon Theatre Cancel Inaugural Season After First Productions

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the newly reestablished Devon Theatre in Philadelphia has been forced to cancel their inaugural season after having lost funding from the state. Their current production of JOSEPH...DREAMCOAT will end its run December 13th. The theater, currently overseen by the Mayfair Community Development Corporation, completed productions of Nunsense, The Odd Couple, and Little Shop of Horrors as season openers this year.

Mayfair Community Development Corporation's exectutive director Brian Patrick King stated that each of the five productions scheduled for this season would cost a minimum of $100,000. King said he is looking into options to reimburse the 700 subscribers who have already paid for the upcoming season.

King also stated the theatre will look into bringing in touring shows and acts as well as host corporate and public events. The season was supposed to include Litle Shop of Horrors, Noises Off, Pump Boys and Dinettes, and Forever Plaid, in addition to the currently playing Joseph.

The productions at the Devon Theatre are produced by Fuse Management. Founding artistic director Michael Pickering left the company suddenly earlier this season.

The letter sent to current subscribers stated that the season was canceled due to "difficult and uncertain financial times [which resulted in] a significant cut in funding for community and economic development across the state." Earlier this year, $800,000 was spent to purchse the Devon Theatre and $6,000,000 to renovate both the theatre and the surrounding streetscape.

The Devon Theater for the Performing Arts exists to fulfill our mission, enhance the physical environment, increase the economic vitality and improve the quality of life in the Mayfair Community. Local community goals include developing and implementing programs that encourage commercial partnerships, creating employment opportunities, and developing cultural programs for the population of Mayfair. The Devon Theater for the Performing Arts will be a part of the community and collaborate with other community organizations to attract programs and services that will enhance the community and all its residents.

For more information, visit the Devon's website at www.devontheater.org.

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