MIAMI (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Cirque du Soleil has made an offer to pay Miami Beach about 9 million dollars a year if they are allowed to take over the Jackie Gleason Theater and to build a nightclub and eatery there, the Miami Herald reported.
The Cirque offer was considerably more than the rents that were offered by either AEG or Live Nation.
The difference is that Cirque is hoping for an investment of $55 million in public dollars to fund a $100 million renovation of the Gleason from the city while both AEG and Live Nation are offering to refurb the theater at no cost to the city.
The latest offer was released at a meeting on Thursday. "I think cities only dream of having competition like this for their theaters," Mayor David Dermer was quoted by the Herald as saying.
The Live Nation and AEG offers both include approximately $1 million a year in rent with Live Nation offering a flat fee while AEG offered less money but a more generous profit sharing plan.
Cirque is hoping to start a Latin-themed show at the Gleason with 430 performances a year. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
