Dear Editor:
A cultural tragedy of epic proportions has been playing out in the halls of Miami-Dade County government since 2006 and is about to end with the death of a once world renowned theatrical and cultural icon.
The County will destroy most of the Coconut Grove Playhouse leaving a 300-seat theater in place of one which had 1,100 seats in the main theater and 200 seats in a cabaret theater when it closed.
According to records submitted to the County in 2006 the Playhouse drew about 125,000 patrons generating 40% of the economic activity in the Grove, about $25 million in 2000. Since its closing the Grove has lost about $250-$350 million in income generated by the Playhouse.
The County plan is for a self-contained campus with its own shops and restaurants instead of filling those in the area.
The County Plan to demolish all but the facade will cause the Playhouse to lose its listing on the Historical Register. In addition to the prestige for the County and the Playhouse which that brings, the Playhouse will lose any related funding or benefits.
On April 7, 2021 the 11th District Court ruled the entire Playhouse building was historically designated, not just the facade.
The County restoration plan is not a plan for a regional theater as described by Mayor Carlos Gimenez in his letter of October 1, 2013 to the Board of County Commissioners included by reference in its Resolution No. R-797-13 of the same date.
On Page 2 the Resolution states: “Fiscal Impact/Funding Source: Funding for the eventual capital project to re-establish a regional theater.”
A regional theater is a specific type of theater with clearly defined parameters as described in Wikipedia: “Regional theaters often produce new plays and challenging works that do not necessarily have the commercial appeal required of a Broadway production. Many regional theaters operate at least two stages: a main stage for shows requiring larger sets or cast, and one or more other stages (often studio theaters or black box theaters) for smaller, more experimental or avant-garde productions.”
The County plan does none of this. The 2019 State Audit of Lease Agreement 4721 states, at 2, “The Business Plan outlines an Operation Forecast and plan for Property Management and Development. This includes a preliminary operating forecast for a regional theater.…”
The Wikipedia description of a regional theater mentions musicals and Broadway-bound shows; the current plan could not accommodate either.
The County plan does not allow for a fully functional theater having no orchestra pit, and no wing or fly space, and the stage is too small for a full performing theatrical and/or dance company. Also, it would be too small to financially support the presentation of a Broadway national touring company for which 1,000 seats would be the minimum.
The County plan will not fulfill the BCC resolution requirement to re-establish a regional theater and will not restore the historic and iconic Coconut Grove Playhouse which reopened a renovated theater on January 3, 1956 with the world premiere of Samuel Becket’s “Waiting For Godot” starring Bert Lahr and Tom Ewell.
Sadly, a fine and conforming plan for the Playhouse restoration prepared pro bono by Miami theatrical architect Richard Heisenbottle will never be built.
For decades my wife and I were season subscribers to the Playhouse, enjoying the excellent casting and direction of Jose Ferrer and enjoying world class theater and dining on Commodore Plaza. So, come on County wrecking ball; leave us with just our memories.
Barry J. White
Kendall
