On May 22, the board had announced that it was suspending operations of the professional theater company after determining that the theater ”is not currently financially viable.” In early June, the board issued a letter stating that the theater did not have resources to pay its staff, actors and vendors in a timely manner, and to make debt payments.

Subsequently, a group of PNT supporters – including former staff – made a proposal to re-open the theater with a smaller staff, dramatically reduced budget, and plan for reaching financial solvency. That proposal was made to the board on June 18.

The June 19 press release from the board states: ”Due to the sensitive nature of negotiations with funders and investors, the sealed bid was delivered confidentially, along with other proposals, to the Board of Directors of the Performance Network Theatre. … In making this announcement Ron Maurer, President of the Board, indicated that there are a lot of hurdles facing the Theatre in the next several weeks. Manfredi and the Board will be working hard to honor commitments to Theatre patrons, donors and vendors. Maurer cautioned that it will take time, but that the Board believes the new production model being implemented is the best option to ensure the long-term sustainability of a professional theater in downtown Ann Arbor.”

The press release describes Manfredi as the owner of Etico Productions LLC, a Michigan theatrical consulting and production company. Manfredi has served as education coordinator of the Creative Arts Center of North Oakland County; and as Managing Director of the Jewish Ensemble Theatre and The Theatre Ensemble at Meadow Brook Theatre.

Performance Network Theatre was founded in 1981 and is currently located in the ground floor of 120 E. Huron St., at the southwest corner of Huron and Fourth Avenue. The building also includes Courthouse Square senior apartments.

In recent years the theater has struggled financially. In April of 2009, the theater announced that it needed $40,000 or it would close – an appeal that resulted in a rush of donations.

The letter states that the theater did not have resources to pay its staff, actors and vendors in a timely manner, and to make debt payments.

“Each of us cares passionately about professional theater in Ann Arbor, and in particular the high caliber of work Performance Network Theatre has produced over the years. At present we are engaged in due diligence as we assess the true financial situation in order to determine the appropriate next steps and decide on a course of action when the Board of Directors meets later this month.”

The theater cannot reimburse subscribers and ticket holders at this time. ”We remain committed to doing our best to determine an appropriate course of action for the mutual benefit of the theatre, staff and those owed money. At a meeting of the Board later this month, we hope to evaluate options that might allow for the continued operation of the Performance Network Theatre.”

The board members are: Ron Maurer (president), Tom DeZure, Linda Levy, Edward Abbott, Gene Dickirson, Jessica Litman, Mary Avrakotos, Steve Gerber, Stephen Palms, Barbara Bach, Hannah Goodstein, Myra Poplin, Norman Bash, David Herzig, Sheila Sassar, Tom Crawford, Steven Klein, and Philip Stoffregen.

Update: On Monday, June 9, a group of PNT supporters – including former staff – announced a proposal to re-open the theater with a smaller staff, dramatically reduced budget, and plan for reaching financial solvency. The proposal will be presented to the board at its June 18 meeting. [.pdf of June 9 press release]

According to the group’s website, the board of directors are: Ron Maurer, president; Tom Crawford, vice president; Steve Gerber, vice president; Tom Dezure, treasurer; Linda Levy, secretary; Ed Abbott; Mary Avrakotos; Norman Bash; Gene Dickerson; Joe Grimley; Hanna Goodstein; David Herzig; Steven Klein; Jessica Litman; Stephen Palms; Myra Poplin; Sheila Sasser; and Phil Stoffregen.

Seven staff members are also listed on the site: Erin Sabo, managing director; David Wolber, artistic director; Carla Milarch, associate artistic director; Logan Ricket, associate development director; Joshua Parker, technical director; Becky Fox, children’s theatre director; and Jennifer Pan, assistant technical director & graphic designer.

The press release provides no other details about the financial situation, but states that the board ”wants to thank the community, actors, directors, designers, donors, and subscribers for their long-standing support of the theatre.”

The theater was founded in 1981 and is currently located in the ground floor of 120 E. Huron St., at the southwest corner of Huron and Fourth Avenue. The building also includes Courthouse Square senior apartments.

In recent years the theater has struggled financially. In April of 2009, the theater announced that it needed $40,000 or it would close – an appeal that resulted in a rush of donations.

Update: A meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 28 at 7 p.m. at Hathaway’s Hideaway, according to an event notice posted on Facebook by Carla Milarch. From the post: “Join us for an informational and brainstorming session about moving forward in the wake of Performance Network Theatre’s recent closure. This will be an info-share as well as a discussion of ideas for keeping professional theatre alive in Ann Arbor.” Hathaway’s Hideway is located at 310 S. Ashley in Ann Arbor.

Susan Pollay rehearses for Sunday evening's show at Performance Network. Her roles are Speaker #12 and Speaker #6. In real life, her role is executive director of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority.

They aren’t bound for Broadway – with roles like “Man with a Monstrous Chin” and “Laundress Vicky” – but on Saturday morning about a dozen folks from the community joined professional actors at Performance Network Theatre to rehearse for a benefit show of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” to be performed Sunday night, Dec. 21.

The script is a new adaptation by David Wolber and Joseph Zettelmaier, and is directed by Wolber. It is a “staged concert reading,” meaning that the cast will read from scripts during the performance. The show, a benefit for the nonprofit theater group, begins at 7 p.m. on Sunday.

The Chronicle dropped by to catch a few minutes of the rehearsal, which started at 9 a.m. We got there at the end of Act I, just as WUOM’s Charity Nebbe was breaking up with Scrooge, played by PN regular John Seibert. (She was gentle about it.)

Here are a few photos from the morning’s theatrical workout.

The rehearsal room at Performance Network. From left: Heidi Bennett (Ghost of Christmas Past), John Seibert (Scrooge), John Hansen (Speaker #10), and Terry Heck (narrator).

Director David Wolber gives some notes to Charity Nebbe, who reads the role of Scrooge's former fiance, Belle Fezziwig.

Jesse Bernstein, Jim Kosteva and Susan Pollay wait for their turn to take the stage during Saturday's morning rehearsal. Bernstein, president of the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce, plays Man with a Monstrous Chin and Speaker #2. Kosteva is UM's director of community relations, and plays Third Man and Speakers #1 and #4. Pollay, DDA executive director, is Speaker #6 and #12.

Former Ann Arbor mayor Ingrid Sheldon was waiting to read the role of Laundress Vicky and Speaker #14. In the foreground is Russ Schwartz, who plays Peter Cratchit.

The Players

Terry Heck: Narrator

John Seibert: Ebenezer Scrooge

Malcolm Tulip (UM assistant professor of theater): Jacob Marley

Heidi Bennett: Ghost of Christmas Past, Speaker #19

Aaron Moore: Ghost of Christmas Present, Speaker #20

Ralph Williams (UM English professor): Ghost of Christmas Future

Phil Powers (Center for Michigan founder, former UM regent): Bob Cratchit

Carla Milarch (Performance Network executive director): Mrs. Cratchit

Sabra Satz-Kojis: Martha Cratchit and Intelligent, Fine Lad

Russ Schwartz: Peter Cratchit

Latifa Almohaer: Belinda, a Cratchit Girl

Aviva Satzrkojis: Tiny Tim

Ellie Serras (former Main Street Area Association executive director): Fran, his sister

Joseph Zettelmaier: Fred, his sister’s son

Sarab Kamoo: Fred’s Wife, Speaker #5

Jerry Lax (former Ann Arbor city attorney): Charity Gentleman #1, Speaker #7, Man with Red Face

Norm Herbert (former UM treasurer): Charity Gentleman #2, Speaker #8

Jim Kosteva (UM director of community relations): Third Man, Speaker #1, Speaker #4

Jon Bennett: Mr. Fezziwig, Speaker #18

Janet Torno (Performance Network director of development): Mrs. Fezziwig, Speaker #13

Charity Nebbe (WUOM host, children’s book author): Belle Fezziwig, Speaker #17

Brian Thibault: Belle’s husband Tut, Speaker #16

Jesse Bernstein (Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce president): Man with a Monstrous Chin, Speaker #2

Mike Cichon: Another Man, Speaker #3

Chelsea Sadler: Charwoman, Speaker #15

John Hansen (former state representative): Old Joe, Speaker #10

Ingrid Sheldon (former Ann Arbor mayor): Laundress Vicky, Speaker #14

Tom Whalen: Speaker #9 and #11

Susan Pollay (Ann Arbor DDA executive director): Speaker #6 and #12