Lack of funding forces closure of Prince Music Theater

CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- Due to a lack of funds, the Prince Music Theater in Center City is forced to close its doors.

The announcement comes on the heels of a banner year for the theater. More than 60,000 people paid a visit, for more than 200 performances, events and film presentations.

"We had a sold out cabaret series with Barbara Cook, Patty Lepone, Steve Tyrel and Karen Akers. We had the hit during the holidays for families - 'Potted Potter,'" said Jamey Hines, executive director of Prince Theater.

It all came under the leadership of Herb Lotman, their chief fundraiser, who died in May.

Lotman and his wife raised the theater from bankruptcy last January. As chairman of the board, he launched a fundraising initiative that successfully restored it to a premier theater in the city.

In February, stars from the movie, "About Last Night" were here including Kevin Hart.

Last month, for the premiere of "think Like a Man Two," actors Michael Ealy and Megan Good visited.

However with Lotman's death, the building, founded as the American Music Theater Festival in 1984 and reborn as the Prince Music theatre in 1999, won't be able to make a full recovery.

"How successful we were coming out of the first year and to not see how we're going to be able to support continuing operations, is a sad time here," said Hines.

The theater needs $1.6 million to remain active for another season.

For now it only has the funds to remain open until the end of November.