lol since we're all here from brians text anyways, might as well ask, whats the story on unemployment? when can we officially file? =/

this is sad news my wife and I have really enjoyed going to the dinner shows every now and then. I hope some soulution can be reached as it would really be a sad day if it closed down.

I think a bail-out is deserved here. Ive been to a few shows and enjoyed myself.

How terrible! My family has been going to shows and dinner every year for the last 10 years or so. They really have some good shows. This is very very sad. I will miss the shows. Now I guess we'll have to see shows at the Big Apple, which will be much more expensive, and not a drive down the road a ways. Man!!!

How terrible! We have been going to shows and dinner every year for the past 10 years. They really have very good shows. Too bad....Now I guess we'll have to go to the Big Apple, which will be much more expensive and not just a small drive down the road. How very very sad. Man!

Iff'n the Carousel was located in downtown Akron, the city hall hero would have fallen all over himself to keep it open.

I find it ironic that the city hall hero spends millions on the civic, which is hardly ever open, but won't bat an eye at an open functionin' theater that is in trouble.

I'd rather see more bars closing. People are short on money but can always pay $5.00 for a beer. It's ludicrous!

For once, I actually agree with Betamax!!!

For all those who think going to NYC for a show...THINK AGAIN.

One by one, both on and off Broadway, shows are shutting down are a alarming rate.

If you want to see a show, odds are you will need a DVD player.

I agree with retired, I'd rather see more bars closing as well. I hope things work out for the Carousel ... we didn't have much when I was growing up, however my mom and I had special mother/daughter night outs, the last one was for my birthday and we saw the Wizard of Oz ... we are planning on seeing It's A Wonderful Life ... if it is still open :-/

Times are changing and its time for a change there too. I never had any interest in going there. I hope they come up with something new and intersting since there is not much to do around here. The only bad part is the strip club near by. That kind of ruins things for the atmosphere.

let the gov'mt bail them out

I enjoyed seeing the gleam in my mom's eyes when we saw Dorothy Lamour perform at Carousel back in, well, way back when.

Priceless.

Thank you, Carousel, for bringing some joy to the Akron area.

And we all realize, of course, that if the public would attend more than one show per year, you would continue to operate for years and years.

And you've undoubtedly reduced OpEx to the bone in attempts to remain viable. Just as many individuals have also reduced their household OpEx in response to layoffs, rising prices, credit issues, and losing thousands of jobs to India, China, Malaysia, Poland, Ireland, and more. Thanks alot, American Corporations! And thanks to the U.S. government for allowing and promoting globalization! Who needs good jobs, anyhow? Just print some more cash and give it away, to create an illusion of prosperity which will destroy America within the coming 20 years!

The Carousel was a fabulous evening of entertainment each and every time. Now, anticipating something new is on the horizon. All good things come for those who wait.

You've GOT to be kidding me!!! I bought my parents tickets for Christmas for a show on 4/30... now what??

Heidi:




So...just because *you* never had any interest in going it's OK for the Carousel to close?! You may not realize it, but the Carousel WAS something "new and different" in many respects. They always have had a great lineup of shows, and the productions are very well done.




Carousel tickets were a great gift, too -- something "different," if you will. I am hopeful that a deal can be worked out (in the private sector, thank you) to keep it open -- I gave my folks tickets for Christmas!

CLH I am a server at the carousel.it was my understanding that all tickets and season tickets for next years performances are NON REFUNDABLE butthat is just what I heard. You will have to call the carousel box office for more accurate info

Sure Close the Bars, thats the answer, Do you even have a clue. Lets put more people out of work and take down small business as well for something people wont go and see anyway. They have had some very poorly done shows there as well as good shows.

Oh, no! Say it ain't so!

Not only did Carousel do a fabulous job of entertaining we locals, but this was a popular tour bus stop as well, bringing in people and $$$ from outside the area.

Let's just cross our fingers and hope that the closing is temporary.........

Hey and while we are at it, Lets close all the bingo halls and convention centers who do any bingo, because that gambling.
Lets really take away anyones right to choose their own entertainment. We can just herd them into the places we want them to go. No choice for them to do what THEY want. Why? because were bigots and anything that doesnt serve anyones insterest we will just close down.
What a stupid statement

wow.... My family and I have been to so many shows and have so many memories. All of being fans of the theatre and can't afford NYC and oh now can't afford Cleveland this was still one place once a year we could go. so begins 2009!

I'm so sad - especially for all the wonderful people at the Carousel - especially Clearance. I have been a season ticket holder for over 13 years. In fact, all of us season ticket holder just renewed and paid for next year! Wonder what this means??? I sure hope this theater stays open.

What a sad thing to read this morning! The carosel has been a part of this area for so long. My parents have been season tickets forever and look forward to the dinner shows. I have often gone with them as do my aunts ( also season ticket holders) and it is such a fun day. The carosel is one of those places young adults can go for a sophisticated dinner and show as part of a special date! I hope that the city can find some way to help keep this gem in the area. Every time I have been there it has been a packed house, usually several tour buses parked in the lot. Is this a sign of poor management? Well lets hope if the closing happens there will be some powerhouses brainstorming to keep it alive. It offers so much to the area.

I haven't been to the Carousel in years. It's in such a bad spot in ghetto Akron near the old blimp hanger aerospace rundown industrial area. I don't think it will ever be saved or remain open. Let it die a quick and sad death.

The economy is horrible and people aren't spending their discretionary income on things like shows at the Carousel.

Never agree with Beta, until today. When is the Civic open?

Grump,
As usual you are wrong.

The area around Carousel is anything but run down. Lockheed Martin, as well as dozens of shipping and small manufacturing companies are setup around.

How could anyone who claims to love this town cheer and support the closing of one of it's long term employers?

unfortunately, Carousel's problem is people are too cheap to pay for good entertainment. Their prices are too low there. Trying going to playhouse square or EJ Thomas WITHOUT a meal and see what you pay. This place is NOT IN A GHETTO. It is a very nice area with lots of good memories for me and my family who have been going there for a long time. We hope it reopens and people understand it will have to cost more.

the box office does say people will get refunds

the box office stated people will get refunds

OMG goes totally only on what he assumes since you cannot judge an area in you have not been near it for years. It is obvious he has no idea. Drive by the hanger area and the parking area is totally full, so how can it be rundown.

That's great. I'm glad they are giving refunds. That is just another rumor that I heard is that all sales were final but I am glad those rumors were lies. I will miss not being an employee for the carousel. It was a greatjob and made many great friends there.

I sure hope it's a temporary thing, but I can understand that they're having troubled times. My wife and I have gone to many shows there, but over the last few years we just haven't had the money to spare.

I can't say a bad thing about the place, it was always incredible. If it's gone for good, it will be sorely missed.

i actually just got through to the box office and they said that they'll be releasing information on Monday on how to go about getting a refund.

To all of you that have supported us here at the theatre, thank you. It has been a pleasure working with everyone. I will truly miss the theatre and all the fantastic people I have met over the years. Please, keep all of us in your prayers and thoughts for this new year. I will miss all of you.

hey Carbunkle:

You said "losing thousands of jobs to India, China, Malaysia, Poland, Ireland, and more. Thanks alot, American Corporations! And thanks to the U.S. government for allowing and promoting globalization!" Lay it as much on the consumer who buys the off shore junk because it saves them a dollar! If consumers won't buy it, retailers won't sell it!

This is sad news. I have enjoyed my visits there. But I wonder how many like myself have not gone as much because of the higher prices.

This is sad. Carousel is an Akron institution and good for local businesses like Donzells. (The tour buses always stopped there at christmas.) I hope they can figure out a solution.

We had season passes for the last few years. Until the season they had Urinetown, the Musical and another Feb. show that was R rated. We bring kids, grandparents, and the content of these shows that season were totally unacceptable. The February sex show did not have a parent warning UNTIL you got to the theater. So basically, if you shooed your teen or grandma away, you lost your money. $35 gone. My mother walked out, it was too 'adult'. Then another show 'a 50's style musical', that was laced with cuss words. The Carousel had filled houses, till that awful season when management decided to get in racier shows. The management chased away its 'bread and butter' patrons for the risk of pulling in new patrons who wanted to see this stuff. and obviously, they had no plan on how to pull in those future patrons that want racy stuff, and these guys also probably do not go dinner theater anyway.

This is sad. Although the Carousel is not my cup of tea, I recognize that it takes all sorts of tastes and a diverse collection of entertainment to make a city well rounded and attractive. Akron is losing a great asset. Heide is being her usual myopic self. It's not all about you babe. Try looking beyond your own narrow little world.

In response to Avenged001. Tickets/gift certificates purchased for a service not provided would be considered theft!!Obviously Carousel's financial trouble didn't just arise yesterday. The Carousel sold tickets over the holiday season knowing their future existence was highly questionable. They need to refund unless it specifically says on the ticket/gift certificate. " In the case of the Carousel going out of business your purchase is nonrefundable". Hopefully this situation can be reversed for all involved. The Carousel is a unique venue and would be missed.

@ZipsBBFan, that is not true if they are filing bankruptcy. Since they have not said that is the case, they will have to give people a chance to get refunds.

Now people will have to go down the street to the Platinum Horse to get a dinner and a show.

Our Christmas party was at the Carousel. My best friend and I had the best time. This was the first time that DEL has seen off broadway. The cast from "ALL SHOOK UP" was the best. I have been to New York and have seen a lot of bad productions. The Carousel did a great job!! Let's not bail out the $25.00 an hour towmotor driver at GM! Let's bail out what matters. If GRUMMPY had a life he would understand that "All the world is a stage".

HEY DAYAM, I can tell by your comments what head is thinking. Grow up and enjoy life. Spend your money on true entertainment and not a PlayBoy and a 6 pack

I worked at the Carousel a few different times in the 90's & again in 2000-2002 and have always been welcomed back with open arms. Clearence, David, Prescott and Joe are great! (Lindsay too!)xoxo. Try to stay open until the 14th.... I booked a show on that day. p.s. my daughter (13 years old) says you have to stay open til she can see High School Musical! Love you all and will miss you alot!

Bummer! I hope they can hang on and keep operating. Saw many shows and my daughters have been in quite a few there. The actors from New York were always great people and my girls loved working with them. Lot's of things will be missed if it closes.

what a shame

No, Heidi is right. Since she was not a fan, it is just fine that the Carousel close. In fact, it deserved to be closed because she did not like what was offered. Heidi, we live to serve you. What is your next wish, oh Great One?

Hi tig,

I was being sarcastic. Sorry if that did not register.

I worked @ the Carousel for 3 years in the late 90's so I can totally believe the fact that the sneaky snake management would treat their employees with the utter disrespect that they just displayed. Im not familair with Mr. Palmer or his business paractices, but I had heard through the vine that they would only close for a year, then possibly re-open next season. That makes more sense than running a re-tread production of that "racy" 50's musical GREASE. I had a good time there, and met a lot of friends that I still keep in touch with, but as for now. Strike the set and turn on the ghost lamp. PS. If you really wanna see good theatre in Akron, go to New York.

where is mayor don and why is he not working on keeping this place open like goodyear

No matter what the mayor does, he is always wrong, eh?

I have two comments: One is... the ABJ article, AKRON Beacon Journal has an article .... staff says Carousel closing... and the PD has an indepth interview with Joe Palmer... what is up with that?

As for Mayor Don saving the Carousel as vs the Civic.. the Civic is an historical building the saving was the building not the programming. Where were you people when the Ballet was going down, when Bang and Clatter was looking for another space, should we save the Symphony, Coach House, Weathervane... if they begin to have troubles.

Get a grip.

@Retired Cop Wife,
Saving 150 jobs versus several thousands jobs is not even on the same scale.

I agree that the Carousel is not in a bad area of Akron. I live blocks away from the Carousel, and have terrific neighbors. We are proud of the old Goodyear blimp area and Akron Airport. The parking is great at the Carousel. The traffic from the Carousel has never interrupted the local traffic. This is yet another hit to our economy. I have a feeling there are many more to come in the near future.

lol oldmangrump I don't wish pain or death on anyone but I guarantee you will die a slow and painful death.
The Area around the carousel is isolated and there isin't many homes or "ghetto's" close.
The rosemary (or "LBJ" apartments) are close but no one from there even ventures that far up the road.
Jack@$$

Wow, wouldn't it be great if they put a WalMart in that space?????