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AMT Files for Bankruptcy ... 73 and 1/2 Years Old ... I Could Almost Cry...

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#1

AMT Files for Bankruptcy ... 73 and 1/2 Years Old ... I Could Almost Cry...

At the spring gala, the founders daughter made an appearance ... and I remember thinking, "if she could be alive for the 100th anniversary... "

An extremely sad day ... ironically, this was not AMT's fault:

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2008/12/01/daily18.html

American Musical Theatre of San Jose said Monday that it has closed its operations and will file Chapter 7 bankruptcy this week.

All of the employees were laid off the day before Thanksgiving.

Michael French, a spokesman for AMT said the nonprofit suffered a $1.7 million dollar loss from a deal with Theater of the Stars in Atlanta that was doing a Tarzan musical based on the Disney production. The show was scheduled to come to San Jose in February.

Michael Miller, AMT's CEO and executive producer, said in a press release that the Atlanta group used the funds "for other things."

"In essence, they canceled the show without giving us any warning, and we discovered that the funds we had paid for `Tarzan’ were spent on another production of theirs, which lost a significant amount of money," Miller said.

Legal action against the Theater of the Stars is likely, AMT officials said.

"We are devastated for this community, our staff, and most of all for our loyal patrons," Miller said. "It is especially frustrating because of how hard we have worked, how sound our plan going forward has been, and because of the history and heritage of the American Musical Theatre of San Jose. This is a sad moment for all of us."

Tickets for “Chicago” in January will still be honored and officials are working to negotiate a deal for “Avenue Q” scheduled to run in March. “Tarzan” and “42nd Street” have been canceled.

Team San Jose Chairman and Convention & Visitors Bureau Chief Executive Officer Dan Fenton said his organization had already been in contact with a number of Broadway producers to book shows at the Center for Performing Arts where AMT performed.

“This is not the end of Broadway in San Jose,” Fenton said. “We’re very confident that San Jose is a market where they want to be.”

Fenton said he was optimistic that a full schedule could be announced for the following season.

“For downtown restaurants in particular, it’s a big deal for them and that’s the biggest reason to move quickly,” Fenton said.



SAVE THE PALO ALTO BOWL!

http://www.facebook.com/fireballchase

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make" -- The Beatles

"Be the change you want to see in the world" -- Mahatma Gandhi

"Celebrate Earth Day, every day" -- John Denver


"Don't let them mold your mind, they want to control mankind, seems like their only intention is to exploit the earth; and you trust in their deceit, your mind causes your defeat, and so you become an invention to distort this earth; propoganda and lies, is a plague in our lives, how much more victimized, before we realize (hey) ... they'll make it attractive, to get man destracted, corrupting your (soul), polluting your (soul), destroying (your soul, mind control) ... ooh grand master, let the people go, you put them in total confusion, to downs-troy their soul; for they practise what you preach, so they're always in your reach, hi-tech slavery in these days, its mind control" -- Stephen Marley

Updated On: 12/1/08 at 11:01 PM

#2

re: AMT Files for Bankruptcy ... 73 and 1/2 Years Old ... I Could Almost Cry...

Another story ... from tonight's Mercury News online edition:

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11114254?nclick_check=1
SAVE THE PALO ALTO BOWL!

http://www.facebook.com/fireballchase

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make" -- The Beatles

"Be the change you want to see in the world" -- Mahatma Gandhi

"Celebrate Earth Day, every day" -- John Denver


"Don't let them mold your mind, they want to control mankind, seems like their only intention is to exploit the earth; and you trust in their deceit, your mind causes your defeat, and so you become an invention to distort this earth; propoganda and lies, is a plague in our lives, how much more victimized, before we realize (hey) ... they'll make it attractive, to get man destracted, corrupting your (soul), polluting your (soul), destroying (your soul, mind control) ... ooh grand master, let the people go, you put them in total confusion, to downs-troy their soul; for they practise what you preach, so they're always in your reach, hi-tech slavery in these days, its mind control" -- Stephen Marley
#3

re: AMT Files for Bankruptcy ... 73 and 1/2 Years Old ... I Could Almost Cry...

Yes, the quality of shows has been up and down, but that's not an issue ... what is at issue here is a theatre that has been around for 73 and 1/2 years; one of the oldest companies in the nation; an organization which has become one of the most cherished in the nation; that has nurtured some of the most heralded actors and singers on the stage

"This" in itself is what should be honored; it is what makes this loss such a tragedy. It is why AMT holds such a special spot in the hearts and souls of everybody who truly loves the musical theatre.

And if you truly cherish the legacy and tradition of musical theatre with your entire being, then you would understand why the community is at such a loss for words.

In some cases, things go beyond the choreography...
SAVE THE PALO ALTO BOWL!

http://www.facebook.com/fireballchase

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make" -- The Beatles

"Be the change you want to see in the world" -- Mahatma Gandhi

"Celebrate Earth Day, every day" -- John Denver


"Don't let them mold your mind, they want to control mankind, seems like their only intention is to exploit the earth; and you trust in their deceit, your mind causes your defeat, and so you become an invention to distort this earth; propoganda and lies, is a plague in our lives, how much more victimized, before we realize (hey) ... they'll make it attractive, to get man destracted, corrupting your (soul), polluting your (soul), destroying (your soul, mind control) ... ooh grand master, let the people go, you put them in total confusion, to downs-troy their soul; for they practise what you preach, so they're always in your reach, hi-tech slavery in these days, its mind control" -- Stephen Marley

Updated On: 12/2/08 at 01:45 AM

#4

re: AMT Files for Bankruptcy ... 73 and 1/2 Years Old ... I Could Almost Cr

It's truly a loss to San Jose, and the Bay Area. re: AMT Files for Bankruptcy ... 73 and 1/2 Years Old ... I Could Almost Cr Very upsetting, and even more disgraceful on TOTS' part in all of this. They're reputation has been slipping, and this is the final nail in the coffin of my opinion of them. To use funds from AMT that were allotted for TARZAN on ANOTHER show is just not responsible.

I'm curious to see their response to the legal charges.

And I'm glad to hear the city will continue to try and bring in touring shows to San Jose, a market that usually welcomes them with open arms. It's just good for the local economy downtown (restaurants, hotels, etc) to make sure that Broadway continues to have a presence in downtown San Jose.
#5

re: AMT Files for Bankruptcy ... 73 and 1/2 Years Old ... I Could Almost Cr

You can't entirely blame the Atlanta organization for what happened to AMT. When AMT had to borrow money from the city, they should have rethought what they were doing and stayed closer to home with local shows and local actors until their funds were in a better position. Or bring actual touring productions to tow. Not co-produce. True, they have co-produced productions before with TOTS, but when you're handing over that much money, you need to have more of a guarantee. Especially when it's the last you have.
And yes, I feel sorry for the staff, crew, instructors, et. al. that AMT employed.
#6

re: AMT Files for Bankruptcy ... 73 and 1/2 Years Old ... I Could Almost Cr

Sure, one can point out stuff the boards could've possibly done to manage things better and what not, but the underlying issue here is that one musical theatre basically stole/cheated from another; from a venerable, 73+ year old institution, no less. And that really says something...

I am so heartbroken.
SAVE THE PALO ALTO BOWL!

http://www.facebook.com/fireballchase

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make" -- The Beatles

"Be the change you want to see in the world" -- Mahatma Gandhi

"Celebrate Earth Day, every day" -- John Denver


"Don't let them mold your mind, they want to control mankind, seems like their only intention is to exploit the earth; and you trust in their deceit, your mind causes your defeat, and so you become an invention to distort this earth; propoganda and lies, is a plague in our lives, how much more victimized, before we realize (hey) ... they'll make it attractive, to get man destracted, corrupting your (soul), polluting your (soul), destroying (your soul, mind control) ... ooh grand master, let the people go, you put them in total confusion, to downs-troy their soul; for they practise what you preach, so they're always in your reach, hi-tech slavery in these days, its mind control" -- Stephen Marley
#7

re: AMT Files for Bankruptcy ... 73 and 1/2 Years Old ... I Could Almost Cr

Even now, I have begun to brainstorm a bit for a huge benefit concert as a first step in a grassroots movement ... I am dead serious. Hit me up ASAP if u're interested.

I do have a few really good musical theatre contacts, too.
SAVE THE PALO ALTO BOWL!

http://www.facebook.com/fireballchase

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make" -- The Beatles

"Be the change you want to see in the world" -- Mahatma Gandhi

"Celebrate Earth Day, every day" -- John Denver


"Don't let them mold your mind, they want to control mankind, seems like their only intention is to exploit the earth; and you trust in their deceit, your mind causes your defeat, and so you become an invention to distort this earth; propoganda and lies, is a plague in our lives, how much more victimized, before we realize (hey) ... they'll make it attractive, to get man destracted, corrupting your (soul), polluting your (soul), destroying (your soul, mind control) ... ooh grand master, let the people go, you put them in total confusion, to downs-troy their soul; for they practise what you preach, so they're always in your reach, hi-tech slavery in these days, its mind control" -- Stephen Marley

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