Why would such a venerable theatre be struggling? " Sweeney Todd changed the whole fashion in musicals," replied Barnidge. Stars who got their start at Candlelight include Mandy Patinkin, Shelley Long and Mark Jacoby ( Nine). After moving to Chicago, they staged typical musical fare - alongside such controversial shows as Macbird, Mike Royko's Boss and the American premiere of Peter Nichols' The National Health. Pullinsi and D'Angelo joined forces as college students at Catholic University in 1959, opening the first Candlelight in Washington DC. Kary Walker, producer at the Marriott, told the Tribune that after record subscriptions two years ago, his theatre, too, has seen a leveling off: "My company's not worried, but we haven't enjoyed the growth in the past two years we had been enjoying for a long time prior to that." Candlelight also had to face increased competition from the similarly-themed venues, Marriott's Lincolnshire Theatre and Drury Lane Oakbrook. Opera-style shows, such as Les Miz and Titanic are too expensive shows like The Life have subject matter that makes them off-limits to family audiences. The theatre wouldn't disclose financial information, but co-producer Anthony D'Angelo told the Chicago Tribune, " are looking at various options to restructure and may pursue outside investors." According to the Trib, Candlelight has been affected by the changing demographics of Southern Illinois, as well as the paucity of new, old-fashioned Broadway musicals. The Kopit/Yeston Phantom wouldn't be all over the country now if it hadn't been for the production at Candlelight. There would be no others if it weren't for Candlelight, and it would be terrible to see this pass away. Candlelight was the first dinner theatre. Shocked by the closing, Chicago critic Mary Shen Barnidge (The Reader, This Month ON STAGE) told Playbill On-Line, "This is the first I've heard. After 38 years, there's not a lot we haven't done." There's just more competition and not necessarily more theatre. Also, there's a lot of gambling boats in the area, especially in Joliet and Gary, IN on Lake Michigan, that takes a lot of business. AlphaBet Soup will accommodate children's theatre ticket holders at other locations.Īsked about difficulties facing Candlelight, Sanchez said Pullinsi attributed the closing to the lack of new shows, which are either on tour or unavailable. Honoring Candlelight's tickets will be: Apollo Theatre, Arts Center at College of DuPage/Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, Dream Street Tehatre, Drury Lane Evergreen Park, Drury Lane Oak Brook, Illinois Theatre Centre, Ivanhoe, Marriott's Lincolnshire, Mayfair, New Tuners/Theatre Building Northlight, Pegasus Players, Pheasant Run Royal-George Steppenwolf Theatre at the Center Individuals Victory Gardens. League of Chicago Theatres President Robert Perkins was quoted as saying, "It's important for the industry to stand by the audience when there is an unfortunate situation, but especially when it's Candlelight." In a press release dated June 9, Candlelight thanked 16 other Chicagoland theatres that stepped in to exchange tickets, sans additional fees. We're all here on a voluntary basis now." "Our first priority these couple of days is reaching ticket-holders by phone and notifying them. Do you know any angels?" "Luckily, the theatre community's very tight, so we're working with numerous other theatres to exchange tickets," Sanchez said. The Candlelight has two theatres in its space: Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, known for its musicals, and the Forum Theatre, for premieres and new comedies.Ĭandlelight spokesperson Dina Travis Sanchez told Playbill On-Line, "Unless we get a benefactor, our doors are closed until further notice. Candlelight's closing is a commentary on the difficulties of producing live theatre today." Our customers and staff have become like a family to us. "We've been a family-run operation for 38 years. "This comes as a shock to us," said artistic director Bill Pullinsi in a written statement. The just-opened farce, Cash On Delivery, by Ray Cooney's son Michael, ran two performances at the Forum and closed after the June 4 matinee. After 38 years in operation, Summit, IL's beloved Candelight Dinner Playhouse Forum Theatre & Restaurant has suspended production and will close its doors shortly, due to financial difficulties.
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