South Florida may be experiencing another abrupt theater closing.
Still suffering from the sudden shuttering of Florida Stage and the Caldwell Theatre Company in the past two years, here comes another unexpected closing. And for once, it seems to have nothing to do with a shortage or funding or audience.
Sunday evening, the executive and artistic director of Plantation’s Mosaic Theatre, Richard Jay Simon, circulated an “open letter” announcing that he submitted to the board of directors his resignation from the 14-year-old professional not-for-profit company.
According to Simon, the board tried to persuade him to change his mind and, when he declined, it voted to close the theater instead. The board called Simon, who founded Mosaic, “the heart and soul” of the organization, without whom the troupe has no chance to move forward.
In the letter, Simon explained that his resignation decision was prompted by his personal situation and a change of priorities. “As I have become older and as I am about to become a father, I wish to improve my quality of life,” he said.
There seems to be no money problem at the theater, as evidenced by the board’s further decision to return subscription revenues for the remainder of the season. Those checks for the three remaining shows are expected to be mailed out shortly, Simon said.
Undoubtedly Simon’s letter will prompt much discussion among the local theater community and perhaps an effort to save Mosaic Theatre. But with Simon intent on making an exit and the board unwilling to consider finding a replacement for him, the future of the popular, much-praised company seems murky at best.
