Willows Theatre Company to Close Theater, Maintain Cabaret Venue

The Willows Theatre Company will close the doors of the Willows Theatre in Concord, California on November 30. The company will, however, continue to operate the Willows Cabaret at the Campbell Theatre in Martinez, CA, a venue that the group plans to enhance and upgrade. The company had warned on September 2 that unless it raised $350,000 by November 1, the closure of one or both venues was likely.

“It is with enormous regret, reluctance and emotion that we have been forced to make this painful decision,” said Richard Elliott, the Willows’ artistic director, in a statement. “Although we received donations from generous patrons and supporters as well as through fundraising events, the money collected was insufficient to allow us to continue our current or future seasons at the Willows.

Barefoot in the Park, the comedy now running at the 210-seat Willows, will complete its engagement on November 8 as planned. The next production at the Cabaret will be Hats (November 23 – January 10). Subscriptions and tickets held by patrons for the 2009-10 season shows at the theater will be honored at the cabaret, Elliott said.

Since the Willows Theatre opened in 1977, the company it has presented over 200 productions, including premieres of new works like Brimstone, Grover, and The Night of the Hunter.

For further information, visit www.willowstheatre.com.