University of Virginia Library

Albemarle Playhouse Changes Ownership

Photo by Steve Wells

Albemarle Dinner Theatre Faces Financial Crisis

Outside Business Pressures Are Reportedly Responsible For The Sale

Max Keepe, owner of Albemarle
Playhouse and World Imported Cars,
Ltd., said yesterday that, if proposed
negotiations are completed, the
Albemarle Playhouse Dinner Theatre
located on Route 250 West, will be sold
after the first of the year.

The expected buyer of the Playhouse
does not intend to continue to use it
as a theatre. Reasons for the sale are reported
to involve outside business pressures on World
Imported Cars that have caused the eventual
sale of Playhouse to protect the Car agency.

Mr. Keepe made the following statement: "I
greatly regret the necessity of selling the
playhouse. If I saw any other method of
relieving certain business pressures that are
being attempted, I would gladly take it. It is
particularly distressing because the Albemarle
Playhouse has just recently come into its own
as a business, and, after the success of such
shows as "Oklahoma!", had become the first
professional theatrical venture in Charlottesville
which was a financial success."

It was noted that the Playhouse will
continue to operate as a dinner theatre through
January 1972, at least. The announced action
in no way affects the Fall Season of the
Playhouse, which will continue into early
January. The Resident Company of the
Playhouse, with the full encouragement of Mr.
Keepe and current Playhouse Board of
Directors, announced the intention to stay in
Charlottesville if sufficient support and
enthusiasm is generated in the area.

Since the Playhouse was established with a
resident company last fall, it has presented nine
productions, including such shows as "I Do! I
Do!," "Carnival," "Guys and Dolls," "A
Midsummer Night's Dream," and the current
"Bell, Book and Candle."