Total Bummer: Prince Theater To Shut Its Doors
If you’ve found yourself at a film screening or show at the Prince Music Theater over the last few years and wondered to yourself just why there wasn’t stuff you wanted to see there all the time, you are not alone. For some time now, the once-promising Prince has been a source of consternation for theatre and film fans alike. So many theatre/film folks were not exactly surprised when news broke today that the Prince is closing its doors for good. First reported by Theatermania, last night’s final screening of Q Fest was the last curtain call for the Prince, which was open for only a decade. “Word on the street is that the Prince’s closing was because of mismanagement” says theater critic/blogger Wendy Rosenfield. “I don’t think anyone’s surprised; their past few seasons were such a mishmash. It’s really been a long time coming.” We asked Rosenfield if she thought this was part of an industry-wide recession trend; do theater-goers need to worry about other houses following suit. “[This] predates the crappy economy,” she said. “Theater-goers needn’t worry. There are a surplus of great companies in Philly without a home. Maybe now some of them will have one.”
Update: Prince reps are now backtracking all over the place, saying that the Prince will basically turn into a rental facility. Developing. We’ll try to get more on this tomorrow.
July 21st, 2009 at 1:43 pm
This place just wasn’t the same since Gretchen Claussen left. She really did such an amazing job with the Film program there and community workshops. It’s a great venue that would be perfect for rep film events. Here’s hoping that it can be reborn.
July 21st, 2009 at 1:51 pm
@cummins – I agree. Gretchen held that space together and really made it develop a strong reputation in the community.
Sad to see it close.
July 21st, 2009 at 1:56 pm
You know what Philly desperately needs? A legit repertory cinema. International House doesn’t cut it, even though they get some amazing stuff.
July 21st, 2009 at 2:19 pm
So what does this mean for the First Glance Film Festival, scheduled for the Prince in October?
I heard from someone who worked at the Prince that they took a major bath on Liza Minnelli in 2007 and never recovered.
July 21st, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Other houses that were run like the Prince maybe. That’s it. The movie industry is fairly recession proof (per a friend in the business.) When times are tight, people may not eat out as much, or see concerts, but $20 for a couple to see a flick is a cheap night out.
July 21st, 2009 at 5:03 pm
I know you don’t “officially” view philly.com anymore – but seems the spin is in to dispel the misquote from last night…
http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/20090721_Rumors_swirl_about_the_Prince_Theater.html
July 21st, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Saw that. Looks like some morning-after pill shit right there.
July 21st, 2009 at 5:52 pm
i saw Abbot and Costello meet Frankenstein there on Halloween about 7 years ago and it was wonderful. I also saw Rosemary’s Baby there. Another time I saw Barbarella with 2 drag queens with mics at the front riffin it MST3K style. I saw Downtown ‘81 upstairs in their “blackbox” theater. That was awesome! It had Basquiat in it and John Lurie, and Kid Creole and the Coconuts, and James White and The Blacks and all that NoWave shit I love. Even Mathew Barney’s 13 hour nonsensical Cremaster cycle. I watched like, 6 hours of that at the Prince on comfortable Non I-House chairs. I haven’t seen anything at the Prince in over 5 years. Like most Philadelphians, I fucking hate live theater. Movies people, Movies! Gimmee some Fassbinder retrospective. I’m there. Even Rocky Horror. But forget this live musical theater crap.
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:12 pm
WHYY reported otherwise today.