Scottish Rite turns its back on performing arts

Ironic in its timing (relative to the Scottish Rite's new mission of NASCAR sponsorship) and its location (Indianapolis, home of the Indy 500), the Scottish Rite has announced it is getting out of the business of producing theater seasons for the public, the Indianapolis Star wrote today.

After staging 1776, Sweeney Todd and Miracle on 34th Street, Scottish Rite will not extend its 2006-07 season. There had been talk of opening The Philadelphia Story in May.

The Scottish Rite's productions at the Scottish Rite Performing Arts Center began in 2005 with Annie Get Your Gun to help save the theater building. Some shows made money, some didn't.

"Scottish Rite is no longer going to produce a full season of shows," said Jeffrey K. Saunders, the organization's chief executive officer.

The main reason for the change, Saunders said, "is to turn back to the fraternal mission of Scottish Rite."

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