LAGUNA NIGUEL : City Rescinds Sponsorship of Community Theater

The county’s bankruptcy has put on hold any further city sponsorship of the Laguna Niguel Community Theatre.

“It was pretty costly for the city,” recreation supervisor Jill Haley said of the city’s financial help for last year’s performances of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “The Odd Couple.”

“That’s a pretty big-ticket item, and with what’s going on now (financially), it’s not a good idea to be putting out $8,000 to $10,000 on a production,” Haley said.

The city has postponed many capital improvement projects in the wake of the bankruptcy. The city had invested $1.8 million in the county’s failed investment pool.

Haley said the city cannot afford to continue subsidizing the theatrical performances at Crown Valley Community Park and the Sea Country Senior and Community Center.

Alicia Butler, director of Laguna Niguel Community Theatre, said that she had hoped city officials would see the local theater group as a boon to the community but that she understands the city also has to set financial priorities.

She said she is working with Haley to arrange city-owned space for rehearsals of future productions.

Butler is also trying to solicit private donations.