KANSAS CITY, MO (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Live Nation may be stepping in at the sole promoter of Broadway musicals at the Kansas City Music Hall, replacing the nonprofit Theater League which has put on the touring performances for the past 30 years.
A committee reviewing bids for the exclusive right to present musicals at the theater recommended that Live Nation become the new tenant beginning with the 2007-2008 season, when a $14 million renovation at the facility is completed.
“Nothing is known for certain until the contracts are drawn up and presented to the City Council for approval,” Councilman Chuck Eddy told the Kansas City Star. “We’re hoping to work out all the details in the next couple of weeks.”
Mark Edelman, Theater League’s founder and top officer, told the paper he is unwilling to concede to Live Nation until he has more information on their bid.
“We’ve asked to see the bids and we’re still waiting to see if they really beat us,” Edelman said. “We want to see the bid because we wonder if they really took everything into consideration.”
One particular point of contention with the Live Nation bid is an apparent alliance with the Starlight Theatre Association, which operates the city-owned outdoor theater in Swope Park.
Bob Rohlf, Starlight’s president, told the paper that the company would not be directly involved in presenting shows at the Music Hall and would play only a supporting role if asked by Live Nation. Rohlf said Starlight was not in any way involved in the bidding process for the Music Hall. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
