Carmel Community Players denied funding again

Last May, I wrote about two Carmel community theaters and the preference Mayor Jim Brainard was showing for one over the other. For a refresher, click here.

Now, it seems that even after presenting a season of Pulitzer-Prize-winning plays, relocating to Clay Terrace (where its patrons can spend ancillary bucks before or after the shows), and bringing in Broadway star Ben Vereen for a benefit, Carmel Community Players finds itself without city funding.

In contrast, the Carmel Repertory Theater, in the midst of its first season, scored $75,000 — more than was granted to Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, the professional Actors Theatre of Indiana, and Carmel Fountain Square combined

According to a press release from CCP,  marketing director Brian Koning was told by the mayor that he didn't submit the request or share it with council members because he didn't feel they would support it.

Since the last post on the subject, I still haven't seen the work of either company (although, for the record, I did attend a production by Actors Theatre of Indiana in the CCP building and participated in a Stephen Sondheim birthday celebration there), so I can't speak to the quality offered by either company.

But it seems that some sort of middle ground could have been found to assist both the established company and the newcomer. Or is there a good reason for the snub?

Did you catch Carmel Repertory Theatre run of the Elvis musical "All Shook Up" or do you intend on seeing Carmel Community Players production of Beth Henley's "Crimes of the Heart" (which opens tonight)?

Your thoughts?