MERRILLVILLE, IN (CelebrityAccess) – Charlie Blum, president and CEO of Star Productions revealed today that accounts of the Star Plaza Theatre's death had been greatly exaggerated.
Blum had announced that the theater was slated to close in May 2017 as it would be significantly impacted by the razing of the adjacent Radisson Hotel and the construction of the a new hotel on the property.
“We never wanted to close the theater. We reluctantly felt it needed to be sacrificed because it would not be possible to continue operating while the new hotel is being built,” said Blum, who has served as president & CEO of Star Productions, the entertainment division of White Lodging Services Corporation, since 1989. “We were not prepared for the outpouring of emotion that the announcement generated. Not only did our patrons express their deep sadness at seeing the theater close, many nationally renowned artists also contacted us to express how much they would miss performing at the Star Plaza. After much deliberation and consultation with our contractors, we determined that it was indeed feasible to retain the theater despite the nearby construction work.”
The Star Theatre has been a fixture in the region since it opened in 1979 with a concert by Donna Summer, and has been in continuous operation since. In recent years, Star Productions has expanded beyond the theater, presenting entertainment at other venues around the U.S. The company recently signed Erich Bergen, star of CBS TV’s “Madam Secretary” and Clint Eastwood’s “Jersey Boys” to its management roster for concert performances, alongside PBS TV sensation, “Under The Streetlamp,” which is beginning a 60+ city tour in the United States supporting their third television special.
“This is a happy day for all of us,” Blum said in a press statement. “We are overjoyed to not only be able to continue to be an entertainment and cultural beacon for the Midwest and an economic driver for the community, but also to welcome back the many performers who have called the Star Plaza Theatre their favorite concert facility, bring in new performers and create even more memories for our loyal patrons.” – Staff Writers
