Garden Theatre cancels additional planned production

The Garden Theatre has announced yet another upcoming production is canceled. 

The Winter Garden based theatre took to Facebook to announce the news about "PAPER THIN" on Monday, July 25. 

"We are working to make sure that our in house strategic plan and culture are healthy and viable, and we want to be able to use this time to ensure that we can move forward in a positive manner and showcase our theatre and productions with the quality the community has come to expect," the theatre said in its post. 

Although the Garden Theatre has been navigating through leadership and organizational transitions since Executive Director Nao Tsurumaki departed in the spring of 2020, and his interim replacement, Melissa Mason Braillard, left after two months, the internal struggles most recently came to light in June when Artistic Director Joseph Walsh resigned after three years at the venue.

The theater then announced former Artistic Director Rob Winn Anderson would return to the role on an interim basis until a permanent replacement was selected. However, Anderson left the post after only one week.

The theater’s board chair, Allie Braswell, said the nonprofit’s governing body was surprised at Walsh’s resignation, and the news unleashed a wave of questions throughout the community, with staff and theater patrons using words such as “disheartening,” “unbelievable” and “heartbreaking.”

The theatre recently also announced its cancellation of "A Bronx Tale" at the end of June. 

The Garden Theatre thanked its patrons for their patience in the cancellations. 

"Our mission remains the same: to inspire discovery through theatrical experiences that are innovative, impactful, and inclusive," the theatre said. "While our efforts to continue to bring forth these experiences to the community are a priority, we are mindful of the work, talent and time that it takes to ensure our productions are also of high quality. It is our desire to keep our mission intact for you, our patrons and theatre lovers alike."

Ticket holders will receive their ticketing options over email. 

The theatre's next production "HONK!" is scheduled to run from Nov. 18 through Dec. 18. Tickets for the upcoming show can be purchased here. 

For more information on the Garden Theatre, click here.