Letter from Martin Zilber & Playhouse press release September 20, 2006

Grove Committee

Earlier in the week I had lunch w/Michael Spring and Debbie Margol (Dade County) and Shelly Spivack and Jorge Lopez (Playhouse). They asked me to attend their board meeting which was this morning, I did attend, and I will try to continue to do so.

Below is a press release and update on Playhouse issues; the Board has asked that I share this with the grove community and community as a whole. Any questions should be referred to Shelly Spivack or Emily Cardenas.

We are also planning on having a Village Council Playhouse Committee/ town hall meeting sometime next month where we hope to have the new consultant and or the Playhouse chair attend and to discuss all these issues and future plans

Thank you again for your patience and I can assure you things are beginning to move in the right direction

Sincerely  

Martin Zilber

For More Information:
Shelly Spivack, Chair
954-849-8759
Emily Cardenas, Vice Chair
305-283-3708

Immediate Release

Coconut Grove Playhouse Board Names New Slate Of Transitional Officers And Takes Steps To Put The Theater On Sound Financial Footing So It May Return As An Artistic Force In Miami-Dade County

MIAMI – Sept. 20, 2006.  Board members of the Coconut Grove Playhouse ratified a new slate of transitional officers today, charged with developing and implementing a strategic plan to return the Coconut Grove Playhouse to its important role as an artistic force and economic engine in Miami-Dade County.

Shelly Spivack, of Shelly Spivack and Associates, remains as board chair, accompanied by vice chair, Emily Cardenas of The Children’s Trust; Secretary Sandy Gonzalez Levy of Terremark Worldwide; Treasurer Vince Post, Jr., of Great Florida Bank; and legal committee chair Jorge Luis Lopez of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, LLP.

The Board also reiterated its support for contracting with AMS Planning & Research, hired to assist the Board with the development and implementation of short and long-term strategic plans necessary to putting the theater on sound financial footing. Their consulting services would also include stepping in to help with immediate needs, ranging from operational issues to sensitive creditor negotiations. The ultimate goal is to focus on defining success for the Coconut Grove Playhouse. The AMS Planning & Research contract is being financed through a Miami-Dade County government grant, secured during the summer for this purpose, and managed in partnership with the Miami-Dade County Cultural Arts Department.

In addition, The Coconut Grove Board of Directors agreed to the following:

• A settlement with The Miami Herald.
• A payment plan with the State of Florida to repay $125,000 in improperly utilized cultural facilities grant funds.
• A settlement of the Playhouse's historic preservation appeal accepting the city of Miami's designation of the Playhouse building as a historic structure, absent of the adjacent parking lot.
• Notification to the Coconut Grove Bank that the Playhouse is not in a position to repay a loan of $125,000 that the Board has previously stated was obtained fraudulently.
• To begin a transparent and public dialogue on the future of the Coconut Grove Playhouse.
• To begin an aggressive fundraising campaign.

 At this time, the Playhouse Board would like to apologize to the hundreds of devoted supporters, subscribers and former staff for taking so long to publicly address your concerns.

First and foremost you are not forgotten.  We realize that there are many season ticket subscribers who want to know if they will ever see a return on your investment. The short answer is, we will do everything in our power to make it so, but we beg for your patience. The board remains hopeful that a minni-season will be possible.

In the coming days, an open letter from the Board of Directors to its beloved stakeholders will be sent to The Miami Herald, detailing its sentiments and hopes for the future.