Is The Wellmont Theatre's Future In Jeopardy?

An unspecified legal dispute between The Wellmont Theatre and its owners is making the Montclair venue's long-term future hazy, according to a report in The Montclair Times.

Montclair Town Attorney Ira Karasick told The Times he was unable to discuss information he knew about legal troubles between The Bowery Presents, a company that handles bookings for The Wellmont, and the Rosen Group, which owns the venue.

The Wellmont operates under a temporary Certificate of Occupancy that Karasick said is in good standing through 2014—meaning there are no present public safety concerns—despite a July 2010 incident in which, as Baristanet reported, a large piece of plaster fell from the theater's ceiling. 

Karasick said he believed "some substantial money" would have to be spent at some point to resolve the building's issues.

Mayor Robert Jackson called the dispute "a private matter," but told The Times that he was concerned about The Wellmont's future and that the town's Bloomfield Avenue business corridor needs the theater to survive.

The Wellmont's website shows the nearly 5-year-old theater has only two events on its calendar: David Byrne & St. Vincent perform June 12 and rock band MGMT hits the stage June 20. Meanwhile, The Bowery Presents, which handles Wellmont bookings, is scheduling events in other venues it serves.

According to Baristanet:

A source cited the cost of keeping emergency personnel on staff during the shows as part of the terms of a temporary certificate of occupancy after the theater had ceiling plaster fall during a show, and said vendors had not been requested after June 20.

In a statement on behalf of The Bowery Presents, Katie Schroeder, senior vice president of Rubenstein Communications Inc., said the company's plan is for The Wellmont to live on.

"While we can't comment on litigation at this time, our current goal is to continue to run The Wellmont as a beloved entertainment venue," Schroeder said.