Theater Group Misled Highland Park Officials; Closes Before 1st Show

HIGHLAND PARK, IL - A plan for Highland Park to get a new theater has apparently run its course.

A Crain’s Chicago investigation revealed the proposal Musically Human Theatre founder David Norwood put forth was largely false and the company never put on a single show at the Karger Center after employees walked out one day amid complaints of unsafe work conditions, missing contracts and low or no pay.

The investigation further revealed The Karger Center had no working sinks or seats for patrons. The electrical system was not compatible with putting on a musical and Norwood was facing eviction for letting the insurance expire.

Inaccuracies on the initial application include claiming board members who were not affiliated with the theater.

Norwood signed an $800-a-year-lease for The Karger Center in 2015 in hopes of a dual benefit for him relocating his New York-based theater company and the city replacing an arts void left by a long vacant theater that sites in the heart of downtown.

More via Crain’s

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