Embattled Coconut Grove Head Arnold Mittelman to Resign

In an unexpected turn of events, embattled Coconut Grove Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Arnold Mittelman announced on May 16 that he will resign from his position, according to The Miami Herald.That decision came less than a month after he stated he would not leave his post willingly.

Mittelman, who had a contract with the Playhouse that lasted until 2008, stated his intention to resign in an email that went out to the troubled theater's board of directors and trustees. ''Unfortunately your continued wrongful breach of my employment agreement has forced me this day to vacate my position,'' he reportedly wrote in the letter.

While he technically did make his own decision to resign, Mittelman's position at the theater had in some sense already been stripped from him. The board had taken away his administrative duties. Additionally a chief interim officer, Lou Freeman, was brought in before Mittelman ever sent his email.

The Coconut Grove's troubles have been well-documented in the last month. The theater accrued more than $4 million in debt and was forced to fire the majority of its staff. Things got particularly heated when Mittelman was accused of using a government grant earmarked for building improvements to pay staff salaries including his own without board approval. Mittelman admits to using the funds to cover payroll, but claims his move was sanctioned by board members. Last week state officials demanded the debt-ridden theater cover the $125,000 withdrawal by May 26 or be subject to interest charges and the loss of future grant money.

The few remaining Coconut Grove employees are assessing the theater's financial situation to determine whether the planned 2006-2007 season, which was expected to include the world premiere of Neil Simon's Waiting for Poppa, can occur as scheduled.