SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 3, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Friends of Santa Monica Playhouse announced that they succeeded in raising $200,000 at the mandatory January 31 deadline to satisfy the requirements of the deal to purchase the theatre.
An intensive outreach to the community, coupled with the loyal support of actors, alumni, audiences, the media, and a last-minute plea from Gayle Anderson and KTLA Channel 5, has saved this valuable community resource from having to close its doors, keeping alive the dream to buy the space.
After forty years of being renters at its theatre complex in downtown Santa Monica, the internationally acclaimed Playhouse, the oldest continuously producing theatre company and conservatory in the city, was finally given the opportunity of purchasing its facility. It now has six months remaining in which to raise funds for the down payment; if it cannot meet the deadline, it will be forced to close.
"This $200,000, coupled with the City of Santa Monica's impressive $75,000 matching grant, means that we are more than halfway there," said Friends Committee member Carol McCune. "We are immediately moving forward to raise the remaining $225,000 by the end of June."
Playhouse co-artistic director Evelyn Rudie added, "We have been overwhelmed by the amount of love the community has shown for our theatre, and grateful to the many donors who have helped us reach this second benchmark. Now that we have passed the mid-point, we are encouraged that corporate, community and foundation donors will come on board, recognizing the project as viable and worthy of their support."
Local, national and international artists continue to lend their support to the Save the Playhouse Campaign. The Spring Benefit line-up will offer something for everyone, including Don Snell's Valentine's Day performance of "A Private Spirit: Noel Coward and His Gal Pals," Andrew Gaines' "Comedy Playhouse" on February 28, "Chris Sullivan's One-Man Irish Show" on March 14, Rochelle Newman's "Hip Bones and Cool Whip" on March 21 and the Playhouse Young Professionals' Company musical presentation of "Next! Living The Lie" on March 28.
Santa Monica Playhouse is a not-for-profit educational conservatory and theatre that has been serving the greater Los Angeles Area since 1962, directly reaching more than 5 million people to-date, including more than 1 million young people and under-served students. Community members, corporations, private foundations, and anyone concerned about helping this vital arts anchor continue its mission to educate, enlighten and entertain, can make a donation by calling 310-394-9779 extension 555.