Curtain falls on No. Shore landmark

BEVERLY – It’s the final curtain call for the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, which has been an entertainment staple on the North Shore for the past 55 years.On Tuesday, NSMT announced the financially distressed theater has failed to raise the $2 million in philanthropic commitments necessary to fund a new business model and launch a 2009 season.Operating since 1955, NSMT has evolved into the largest non-profit producing theater in New England, with approximately 300,000 patrons annually, but the fat lady has finally sung, according to NSMT Board Chairman Davis Fellows.”In the last two months we have been able to make progress toward our fund raising goal, but sadly, this is not enough to fund a 2009 season and keep the theater open,” he said. “Without a season this year, we are unable to address the substantial debts of our creditors and restore the theater’s economic health.”Fellows said more than $500,000 in pledges have been made since the theater announced a turn-around strategy in mid-April but he added the theater has run out of time to raise the balance and move forward with its plans for a scaled back 2009 season.North Shore Music Theatre is almost as well-known on Broadway in New York City as it is here on the North Shore. Many Broadway and off-Broadway performers have taken the stage at NSMT during their careers including Michael Kadin Craig, who plays “Matthew” in the off-Broadway smash hit “Altar Boyz.”Craig played Jack Scott in High School Musical at NSMT in July 2007 and he said it was a wonderful experience.”It is so sad knowing the they are closing their doors,” he said. ” I had had a fantastic experience there. Honestly performing there was one of the great experiences of my life. It was a great experience and I had so much fun performing there. North Shore Music Theatre had a lot of unique and high quality productions. It’s a sad day knowing it closed its doors.”Mitch Dean, who is a “wonderstudy” for the “Altar Boyz” also performed at NSMT.Dean played the role of Jack Scott in High School Musical 2 at NSMT in December, which was the last show produced by the theater.”It is devastating news to hear that NSMT will not be able to reopen its doors,” Dean said. “It was a organization committed to bringing quality theatre to the New England community. It also provided training and performance opportunities for young performers. Among the New York theatre community, NSMT was revered as one of the best regional theaters to work at. North Shore’s closing will affect performers and musicians even beyond the New England area. The best thing that people can do to help prevent more theaters from closing is to support live theatre. “Craig said many performers in New York City rallied to try to help save NSMT and he performed at a fundraiser for NSMT in January at Joe’s Pub in NYC.”Almost everyone in the (New York City) area has performed at NSMT at some point in their lives,” Craig said. “NSMT is a special place for a lot of us.”According to a press release issued by NSMT, its debts include large mortgages on its property and buildings. It also has outstanding debts to vendors, the state and subscribers who paid in advance for the 2009 Season.When calling the theater, callers receive a message informing them operations have been suspended and no one would be available to return their call.Theater officials are in discussions with its senior creditor and are reviewing the options available for liquidating and maximizing the value of the theater’s assets for its stakeholders, as well as identifying potential buyers of the property who might consider leasing the theater back to NSMT.”Our new business model represents a road map for any group interested in reviving the theater in the future,” said Fellows. “We are grateful to our loyal supporters and urge all who care about musical theater and arts education on the North Shore to support any effort that would preserve this cultural resource for future generations.”In De