Death of an icon: I’m talking about the Coconut Grove Playhouse | Opinion

A cultural tragedy of epic proportions has been playing out in the halls of Miami-Dade government since 2006 — and it’s about to culminate in the destruction of a once world-renowned theatrical and cultural landmark: the Coconut Grove Playhouse.

For decades, my wife and I were proud season theater subscribers, enjoying the brilliant casting and direction under the late Hollywood actor José Ferrer, and capping off unforgettable nights of theater with fine dining along Commodore Plaza.

We have waited patiently for the playhouse’s full return but fear that will never happen.

The county plans to demolish most of the historic structure, leaving in its place a 300-seat theater — a shadow of the original, which held 1,100 seats in the main auditorium and an additional 200 in the cabaret theater.

According to records submitted to the county in 2006, the playhouse attracted approximately 125,000 patrons and generated 40% of Coconut Grove’s economic activity — about $25 million in the year 2000 alone. Since its closure, the Grove has lost an estimated $250 to $350 million in income that had once been driven by the playhouse.

The county’s plan centers on creating a self-contained campus with its own shops and restaurants, rather than revitalizing and drawing traffic to the surrounding neighborhood.

Perhaps most tragically, the county’s decision to preserve only the facade of the building will result in the playhouse losing its designation on the National Register of Historic Places — along with the funding and prestige that comes with that. A court ruling on April 7, 2021, made clear that the entire building — not just the facade — was historically designated.

Now, even the plan to save the facade is in danger. The county’s current plan fulfills none of these criteria.

To complicate matters, last month interior demolition work on the playhouse was stopped after a contractor’s error caused a partial collapse and “severely compromised” the historic structure’s roof, city of Miami officials said. A section of Main Highway in front of the 1927 theater’s wing-shaped front was closed while the building was stabilized. Construction is back on now.

The fact remains that what is currently proposed is not a restoration of a true regional theater, despite claims made by then-Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez in his Oct. 1, 2013, letter to county commissioners and reiterated in Resolution No. R-797-13 passed that same day. The resolution clearly calls for funding to support the re-establishment of a regional theater.

A 2019 State Audit of Lease Agreement 4721 acknowledged this, stating, “The Business Plan outlines an Operation Forecast and plan for Property Management and Development. This includes a preliminary operating forecast for a regional theater...”

But the current proposal falls short. It lacks essential theatrical infrastructure: no orchestra pit, no wing or fly space, and a stage too small for full theatrical or dance productions. With just 300 seats, it is economically nonviable for hosting Broadway touring companies, which require at least 1,000 seats.

This project will not fulfill the county commission’s own mandate to re-establish a regional theater and will certainly not restore the historic and iconic playhouse, which famously reopened on Jan. 3, 1956, with the world premiere of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, starring Bert Lahr and Tom Ewell.

A comprehensive, historically faithful plan by renowned Miami theater architect Richard Heisenbottle — done pro bono — offered a true restoration vision. Unfortunately, it will never be realized.

Now, all that’s left is for the county’s wrecking ball to take aim — and leave us with only our memories.

Barry J. White is a Miami-Dade resident and Coconut Grove Playhouse supporter.