MIAMI BEACH (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Cirque du Soleil has withdrawn its offer for the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach, paving the way for city managers to enter into negotiations with concert promoter Live Nation.
The Miami Herald reported that Cirque withdrew its offer just hours before the city commission that was considering the offers was set to vote. The commission had been under some pressure from community leaders to delay the vote, claiming that there had not been enough time to weight all options carefully.
Cirque had proposed a $100 million refurb of the 56-year old theater, asking that the city invest $55 million in exchange for a share of the ticket receipts. Live Nation's proposal is more modest, planning a $3.5 million refit that would establish the theater as a venue for rock and Latin pop concerts. The Live Nation deal will provide the city will $1 million in rent annually for 15 years, with room for modest adjustments.
Public sentiment had been against Cirque. Earlier in the negotiation period, Cirque had made it clear that any public referendum would be a deal breaker. The public responded with approbation at anti-cirque sentiment expressed at a hearing on Monday that was open to members of the community.
If the deal is finalized with Live Nation, the theater will get a new name The Fillmore Miami Beach, named for the famous San Fran venue which is also managed by Live Nation. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers.
