The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-09-10
Z. K. Perry Retires From
Theater Business.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Will Control the Grand Opera
House.
Building will be Renovated. Re-
paired and Put into Fret Class
Condition, at Once.

Afur having been connected with
the theatrical business tor more than
twenty Years, Charles r.. Perry,
manager and lessee OF the Grand
opera house, rLtired at Il o'clock,
noon, Thursday, surrendered his five
year lease on the theater building
and at the same time announced his
intention Of quitting the business in
definitely.
Two years ago Mr.. Perry secured a
five year lease on the opera house
at rental rate OF $4,000 year.
Shortly after he secured the lease,
the theatrical business took de-
cided slump and since that time has
continued to retrogress. BY running
In vaudeville attractions and working
various legitimate schcmes, Mr.
Perry managed to struggle through
the Year. The outlook for the com
ing season was discouraging in the
extreme and that together with the
enormous rent which he is COM
PEELED to pay. forced Mr.. Perry TO
take the action which he did Thurs
day.
In an interview with NJ. J. Sulli-
van, this afternoon. a reporter was
informed that the board Of directors
will control the theater for an in
definite period. 1--WE realize that the
preservation of property is the first
thing to be considered and We expect
TO effect several thousand dollars
worth Of repairs" declared Mr.. Sui
livan. who is acting manager of the
theater. Mr.. Sullivan furthermore
declared that after certain repairs
arc effected that the directors will
probably place thc theater in the
hands of a syndicate.
The directors held a short confer
ence Thursday afternoon and de-
termined TO commence Immediately
The house will be re-wired and re-
lighted throughout; the carpets will
be cleaned and repaired and he stage
fixtures will be repaired and re-
plenished. The frescoing throughout
will be cleaned aud tire theater will
be made like new.
In the midst Of an interview this
afternoon, Mr.. Perry declared that he
has re-rented his present office room
and will remain at the old stand.
~ don't know exactly what my fu-
ture occupation will be, but for the
present time | will continue in the
lpiano and music Business remarked
Mr.. Perry
Mr. Perry came to this city ten
years ago to assume the manage
ment Of the opera house. Previous
| to that time he was managing a
theater In Bloomington, Illinois. On
his first contract, lie rented the house
for $1,000 and It vas later raised
to s2,5OO and finally to $4,000. The
opera house had been run very un-
successfully previous to the time
when Mr.. Perry assumed charge
and the manager Is deserving of much
credit for his work In educating the
people of the city to enjoy higt
class entertainment.
Before surrendering the lease, Mr..
Perry made the board of directors a
nattering Offer for the re-rental OF
the building. The local stockholders
approved the offer, but the Toledo
stockholders were not inclined to
accept the terms and tho deal did
not consummate.
I The shows which have been billed
and advertised will appear as sched,
uled and the directors will continue
the business along the lines estab.
lishe by Mr. Perry. BY special re.
quest of the stockholders, Mr.. PERI.
will have charge OF the seat sale al
the show Friday evening.