Today let’s check for updates on two legal actions that involve the entertainment community, specifically Mad Cow Theatre and Parliament House.
First off, we look at Mad Cow and the removed-then-returned equipment at the theater’s former home at 54 W. Church St. If you’ve followed the reports in these pages, you know the city of Orlando threatened legal action against the nonprofit over the equipment, then followed through — with the caveat that if the equipment were returned it would drop its lawsuit.
The city kept its word and voluntarily dismissed its suit, according to court paperwork filed on Aug. 12.
If you’re just joining us, the quick version is this: Before vacating the city-owned space, Mad Cow agreed to leave behind the venue’s theatrical equipment, except for items that it could prove donors had stipulated to remain with the company or be returned should Mad Cow relocate.
Before later returning the estimated $30,000 in equipment, Mad Cow moved it out of the space, saying it had provided the proof.
The city didn’t think so — and that’s how the lawsuit came to be.
Both sides agree that Mad Cow provided information about the equipment. Mad Cow said the city “rejected” its proof. City spokeswoman Ashley Papagni put it this way: “The information that was provided related to donors did not meet the requirements of the settlement agreement for the items donated to be returned to the donors.”
Papagni also commented on the theater’s assertion that the city had not contacted it about the legal action — even name-dropping this very periodical.
“As you know, we were in conversations with Mad Cow Theatre about the city property and had told them — as we also told the Orlando Sentinel — that to avoid legal action we needed the city owned property returned,” Papagni wrote. “We are thankful the city owned property and equipment was returned and can be utilized as intended with the space to further our arts and cultural scene in downtown.”
In other Mad Cow news, three top officials confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel in recent days that they are no longer affiliated with the theater. Julius John, who had served as artistic director since September, wrote he had actually departed the theater in February though the theater’s website had not been updated to reflect the change.
John, a professor at historically Black Bethune-Cookman University, directed a critically acclaimed and socially significant production of “The Royale” during his six-month tenure.
Paul Bedford, a Disney World veteran who became the theater’s director of production and facilities last August, also departed this spring, he said. And Tony Simotes, who had served as the theater’s director of creative development, also said he was no longer on staff with Mad Cow.
Turning to Parliament House, there’s a bit of unfinished business from the entertainment complex’s former incarnation on Orange Blossom Trail. I had previously reported how Bryan Granatstein had been charged with theft of over $174,125.06 in sales tax that the state said was not turned over by the business.
This spring, the state dropped its case, which had been delayed more than once to give Granatstein time to come up with the money to make restitution, according to court documents. Multiple phone calls and emails to the State Attorney’s Office, asking if the case was dropped because restitution had been made, were not returned. Requests to Granatstein’s attorney also went unanswered.
Meanwhile, Orlando awaits the new version of Parliament House. I reached out to representatives of Garito Hospitality, the company behind the downtown endeavor, but they did not respond to requests for a progress report. (Am I invisible to everyone?) So we’ll have to go with what we know from social media.
“We are continuing the renovation and creation of our new location on Orange Avenue,” stated a Facebook post last month. “The new floors are finally poured, all of the bars are framed, the dance floor stage is being installed, and finishings are arriving! After getting off to a slow start, we are finally moving along at a steady pace.”
We’ll stay tuned.
Find me on Twitter @matt_on_arts, facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Want more theater and arts news and reviews? Go to orlandosentinel.com/arts.
