By JOHN HOWELL The Ocean State Theatre Co. Inc. has closed as tenants of the former garage converted into a theatre on Jefferson Boulevard, but reports say it wouldn't remain dormant. According to reliable sources, Bill Hanney plans to reopen the theatre
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The Ocean State Theatre Co. Inc. has closed as tenants of the former garage converted into a theatre on Jefferson Boulevard, but reports say it wouldn’t remain dormant.
According to reliable sources, Bill Hanney plans to reopen the theatre as the Ocean State Musical Theatre. Hanney is well known in theater circles and is the owner of Theatre By the Sea. He could not be reached for comment.
On Tuesday word in the artistic community traveled rapidly as Jason Loete at OSTC emailed performers scheduled for appearances that the company was suspending all further engagements. By that evening OSTC issued a press release that its board of directors voted Monday night that “ongoing financial struggles are forcing Ocean State Theatre Co, Inc. [OSTC] to immediately close the theatre on Jefferson Blvd., cancel its summer programs, and suspend the fall mainstage season. The future of the theatre company is under evaluation.”
The company reportedly has left a string of bills, owing Mutual Properties that owns the property a reported $250,000 in unpaid rent.
News of the closure rippled through the community. Mayor Scott Avedisian called the theater a “valued part of the community.” In an effort to support the theater and introduce it to the community, apart from being an ideal location, Avedisian held his 2014 inauguration at the theater.
Asked about future use of the property, Avedisian said, “I’m hopeful for an artistic presence in that building.
Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi, who owns the adjoining property and rents parking to the company, was likewise dismayed. While, he said, the company is current on its payments to him, he knew of their financial problems and that eventually the debt became “insurmountable.”
In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, Stephen Soscia, managing member of Mutual Properties, said, "We regret the decision made by Ocean State Theatre to abruptly close its doors. We worked cooperatively with them for the five years they were our tenant, and on several occasions restructured their 21-year lease to de minimis rental amounts to meet their cash flow. In short, we afforded them every opportunity to restructure their obligations, which today exceed one million dollars and assist them with a smooth, seamless transition to insure their future success. In the end, however, they were unable to do so.”
In the press release, Andrew Cohen, chairman of the Board of Directors for Ocean State Theatre Company, said, “It was a heartbreaking decision for those of us who are passionate about OSTC. Particularly after what is undoubtedly the best artistic season we have ever had.”
The release said that OSTC the organization “simply could not come to terms with the owner of the building, while re-negotiating new lease terms and debt structure. Additionally, a third party, on behalf of OSTC, had been negotiating to purchase the building for a few months now, however, those negotiations were not successful.”
Cohen said that the company's financial situation has been challenging for several years, in large part due to the impact of debt incurred when the company was forced to vacate Theatre By The Sea during construction of the Warwick theatre.
The release went on to say the nonprofit theatre had hoped that the strong start to their 2016-17 Season, which has shown a tangible increase in tickets sales, would attract more corporate sponsors, state and federal funding, and private donations to better support its ongoing programming.
“Ocean State Theatre Company is proud to have a group of individuals who have tirelessly supported the organization,” Cohen said in the release. “We also have a great team, which has been working diligently to find a path to success to meet our obligations. Time just ran out. We are eternally grateful to the supporters who have been there for us, our fellow artists, our audiences and our backers. We will always be proud of first re-opening the shuttered Theatre By The Sea in 2007, and the development of our current location in 2012, offering an additional quality theatrical venue to the State of Rhode Island.
All patron records are being retained until such time as it can be determined what remediation will be offered.
Soscia said in his statement, “As their single largest donor, we were surprised by their abrupt closure as we had been informed that they intended to remain through July of this year, and then would relocate to another location. Several attempts to meet with artistic director, Amiee Turner, yesterday were unsuccessful and we later learned she was on route to North Carolina. Mutual Properties remains supportive of a vibrant arts community in Rhode Island."
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richardcorrente
The taxes on this building are $29,743 a year or $2,478 a month. That is the reason the rent is so high. That is the reason the tenant couldn't afford to stay.
And if Mayor Avedisian honestly feels that the theater is "a valued part of the community", he should do something to keep them here. As Mayor, the first thing I would do is compare the value of that building to the value of similar buildings in Cranston, East Greenwich, and other cities/towns. Our tax-values are overpriced. Warwick is not competitive with other commercial properties in surrounding communities. Warwick is losing businesses (4,666 in the last ten years) while other communities are gaining them.
Warwick needs to CUT-TAXES - CUT-SPENDING.
If Warwick does, regardless as to who is Mayor, Warwick will gain new businesses and new taxpayers resulting is less taxes-per-person. This is basic economics.
Happy Memorial Day Weekend everyone.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Thursday, May 25, 2017 Report this
Thecaptain
And the first thing that you would do as The Wizard of Oz is get in Dorothy's balloon and fly away. Fortunately, you have a better chance of being the balloon pilot than you do of being the mayor.
Friday, May 26, 2017 Report this
wwkvoter
Captain, did Corrente ever pay his own overdue unpaid taxes yet?
Sunday, May 28, 2017 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear WwkVoter,
Yes. I went down to the tax collector in late March to apologize and to make my payment for any and all back taxes. I found out that my total debt for back taxes was ONE PENNY. I have the receipt if you would like to see it. I decided to pay my current taxes as well and I asked the lady if I could pay with two separate checks because I wanted to frame the "ONE PENNY" one that has been the subject of some pretty vicious comments, and she said "Please don't." so I didn't.
So sleep tight WwkVoter, I have paid my dues and all is now back to normal. The big ONE PENNY FINANCIAL CRISIS is over.
I sincerely apologize to you and everyone for my terrible actions.
Happy Summer WwkVoter
Happy Summer everyone.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Wednesday, May 31, 2017 Report this