Tommy, Seaside Music Theatre
The Arts Connection says Seaside Music Theatre has finally shut it's doors:
The Board of Directors announced Thursday that Seaside Music Theater, Inc. is permanently closing its doors!
Since the death of its founder, Tippen Davidson, SMT has struggled financially, due to litigation with the Daytona News-Journal Corporation and its minority stock holder Cox newspapers.
There were several attempts this past summer to re-fuel the sinking theater with fundraising concerts, plus talks with Daytona State College to take over the theater but they all proved to be unproductive.
Over the past several months the staff has been the similar to a David Copperfield show, a disappearing act, desperately trying to salvage this 32-year-old institution and staple to the Daytona community.
One of the major issues that came to light earlier this year was the frustrated ticket holders who found themselves out of money and out of the entertainment that they have looked forward to the last 32-years. According to the press release, this is the primary focus, “Our first responsibility is to those community members who purchased tickets for the '08 summer season. We felt this was the best way to see that their money was returned to them," said Tara Bryan, the Chairman of SMT's Board of Directors.”
This is a devastating time for many and the closing of the Seaside Music Theater is just another example of our struggling economy. For now we can say that it was a spectacular 32-year run, featuring some of the best in Music Theater in Central Florida and it will be missed!
If you do have any business related to the theater you should contact Mike Phelan, Moecker & Associates, 6861 SW 196th Ave., Suite 201-204, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33332, (954) 252-1560.