SCRANTON -- For the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, the show will not go on - at least for the time being.
The Philharmonic says it is canceling its 2017-2018 season to restructure its operations for a more financially sustainable model.
“We have already started looking a business model that really looks like it could be sustainable and financially viable,” said Nancy Sanderson, the executive director of the NEPA Philharmonic.
The Philharmonic says even with a sold-out house that only covers 35 % of the cost to produce the concert.
Sanderson says it would take $1.1 million to produce the upcoming season and the Philharmonic is ending the 2016-2017 season with $235,000 of debt.
Clearing that debt is a priority.
“We have some debts that we have to pay and they are prioritizing starting the 2018-2019 season debt free so they'll be doing that and we'll be having fundraisers,” said Sanderson.
The board of directors is asking its musicians to consider a 30 % pay cut and is also asking for corporate sponsors and donors for help.
The last performance the Philharmonic is doing this year is the PNC Pops concert “The Music of John Williams” at the People's Security Bank Theater at Lackawanna College on Saturday, October 7th in Scranton.
Jim Cullen is the theater's director.
“They've been here many times,” said Cullen. “It's just a wonderful experience and I'm sure they'll find a way back.”
The Philharmonic is also using that concert to say farewell to its music director, Maestro Lawrence Loh.
“If our community could band together and say good luck and best wishes to Lawrence Loh who will be accepting a new position with another orchestra,” said Sanderson.