I have a good deal of experience with a community theater in western Maryland. The venue seats about 1200 and is a classic 90 year old facility with the appropriate seating layout. One ongoing problem is that the really top traveling shows cost $30-50M per appearance . All in tickets need to be priced at $40 to $75 along with corporate sponsors to break even. The market is limited at this price.
If a PA center is developed I believe it needs to seat 1500 to 1800 or we need to resign ourselves to a smaller less sophisticated venue and the more modest bookings that can be afforded.
In any case a benefactor or some government will have to provide subsidies and a strong board will need to have annual fundraising efforts.
The letter from the PALMS group is consistent with my experience in Maryland.
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