In an effort to conserve money, the troubled Coconut Grove Playhouse has laid off the majority of its staff. Marketing director Love Levy told The Miami Herald that out of 28 employees, approximately 21 were let go.
As previously detailed, under Producing Artistic Director Arnold Mittelman's leadership Coconut Grove accumulated over $4 million in debt. The board of directors asked him to resign, but he refused. He has since been accused of misusing money earmarked for building improvements.
The dismissed employees were told Friday, April 28, that they would lose their jobs effective Sunday, when the theater's production of Sonia Flew played its final performance. Levy said that the only people who will remain on the theater's payroll are accounting personnel and those who work in the education outreach program. It is possible Mittelman will still collect his salary, though that is unclear at this time.
It is also unknown whether Coconut Grove will have the finances to go ahead with its 2006-2007 season, which was notably expected to include the world premiere of a Neil Simon play, Waiting for Papa.
