Roanoke Theatre’s New Life

Roanoke Rapids City Council reportedly accepted Sept. 28 a proposal from a Tennessee-based business to take over operations at the troubled Roanoke Rapids Theatre.

City officials are working with Elizabeth Branham and Gil Cunningham of Neste Event Marketing on a short-term agreement to run the 1,500-capacity venue in North Carolina, according to the Daily Herald.

Branham previously produced shows for the former Carolina Crossroads shed as well as the Roanoke theatre. Cunningham, one of the industry’s top producers of fairs and festivals, was IEBA’s Talent Buyer of the Year in 2008.

The two are realistic as to the challenges ahead to make the venue profitable.

“Are we going to have a miracle fix?” Branham told the paper. “No, but we do have a lot of skin in the game, and I want [Roanoke Rapids] to be proud of the theatre.”

The agreement between the city and Neste Event Marketing could go to the council for approval at an Oct. 12 council meeting, the paper said.

The theatre has become a bit of a white elephant since opening as the Randy Parton Theatre a few years ago.

The city borrowed $22 million in 2005 to build the facility and hired Parton, brother of Dolly Parton, to manage the venue and be the main attraction in hopes of bringing in tourism dollars

But the facility soon ran into trouble when Parton failed to bring in the desired crowds and was later accused of performing drunk.
The city eventually bought out Parton’s contract and is reportedly looking for a potential buyer.