PROSCENIUM THEATRE
For Immediate Release
May 25, 2007
NEDERLANDER WORLDWIDE ENTERTAINMENT TO MANAGE PROSCENIUM THEATER SPACE
Karen Cook and Gary Moyer, developers of Lion's Gate Development, Inc., along with Robert Nederlander Sr., Chairman and CEO of Nederlander Company LLC, and Robert Nederlander Jr., President of Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment, announced that the two companies have entered into a long-term agreement in which Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment will manage and operate the theater to be built at The Proscenium, a mixed-use residential/retail/restaurant/entertainment project projected to be completed in Sarasota by late 2010.
"We are thrilled to join with Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment to bring the very best in live theatrical entertainment to Sarasota," proclaimed Moyer. "It is a great endorsement of Sarasota's cultural reputation, that they would select our location as their first Florida venue. Lion's Gate Development could not be more pleased with this agreement."
"Nederlander Worldwide is currently developing a circuit of regional off-Broadway theaters for the purpose of presenting the very best in off-Broadway and smaller Broadway productions," explained Robert Nederlander, Jr. "The Sarasota theater will be a part of this group. We expect these shows to complement the already thriving Sarasota performing arts scene. In addition, The Proscenium theater will be multifunctional, allowing it to be used for film screenings, as well as dance and music performances. Our plan is to make the theater available to other arts organizations when it is not being used by our touring shows. We look forward to being a part of the culturally-rich Sarasota community."
The theater at The Proscenium is planned for 800 seats, with orchestra and mezzanine levels. There will be an orchestra pit and "fly space" which allows sets to be raised and lowered. Entrances to the theater are planned at both the street level and from within the five-star Proscenium luxury hotel.
"Nederlander Worldwide is currently developing a circuit of regional off-Broadway theaters for the purpose of presenting the very best in off-Broadway and smaller Broadway productions," explained Robert Nederlander, Jr. "The Sarasota theater will be a part of this group. We expect these shows to complement the already thriving Sarasota performing arts scene. In addition, The Proscenium theater will be multifunctional, allowing it to be used for film screenings, as well as dance and music performances. Our plan is to make the theater available to other arts organizations when it is not being used by our touring shows. We look forward to being a part of the culturally-rich Sarasota community."
The Proscenium is an upscale, mixed-use project located within two prime Sarasota city blocks. Plans include an ultra-luxury, five-star hotel with 225 rooms along with 35,000 square feet of ballroom/meeting/exhibition space, in addition to 50 hotel-branded luxury residences within the hotel structure. The balance of the project will include an 800-seat performing arts center, 125 residences, 50 loft residences, 230,000 square feet of office space and 130,000 square feet of retail/restaurant/entertainment space. A target completion date is for the Fall of 2010.