Coconut Grove Playhouse Calls for Chief's Resignation

The board of directors of the struggling Coconut Grove Playhouse, which is reportedly more than $4 million in debt, has requested the resignation of the theater's long-running producing artistic director, Arnold Mittelman, according to The Miami Herald.

The decision to ask for Mittelman's resignation comes at a particularly difficult time for the Playhouse. The company has been bouncing checks to suppliers and employees, according to published reports. On April 10, Playhouse staff members were asked to remove personal items and exit the theater, which was then shut down for two days. It re-opened when a fundraising effort, led by actress Lucie Arnaz, raised approximately $150,000. The Coconut Grove mounting of Melinda Lopez's Sonia Flew, starring Arnaz, was delayed because of the tumult, but was finally able to begin performances on April 21. It is scheduled to run through April 30.

Mittelman has held his position for 21 years and reportedly wielded much power; his contract called for a salary of $190,000 a year plus $14,000 in benefits and deferred compensation and a $17,140 expense allowance.

Mittelman is currently deciding whether he will indeed resign. If he does not, the board will meet Wednesday, April 26, to vote on whether to remove him from his post.