Published: October 28, 2009 10:11 am      

No refunds for Rosebud season ticket holders

Not only are Rosebud Theatre season ticket holders upset the Effingham venue is closing, some of them are even more upset the theater won’t refund their 2010 season ticket money.

Mike and Jolie Wilson of Paris are ticket holders who have filed a consumer complaint against the Rosebud with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office because the theater will not refund the $4,000 the couple has paid for 2010 season platinum flex tickets.

The theater required all season ticket holders to have their season contracts signed and paid for by Oct. 1. Four days later, the Rosebud announced it was closing Dec. 5. Rosebud Theatre President and Chief Executive Officer Janie Oldfield contacted season ticket holders Oct. 7, informing them the venue was not refunding 2010 season tickets.

According to Oldfield, the board of investors met the evening of Sept. 30 after speaking with attorneys, banks and the city of Effingham about the underlying financial problems with the theater. That evening, the board came to a decision to close the facility.

Although season ticket purchases were due Oct. 1, in the few days leading up to the decision made Sept. 30, Oldfield said any money received was not processed because the board knew financial problems were surfacing.

According to Wilson, the couple sent their money to the theater during the latter part of September, but he did not know an exact date the check was processed.

“I know they have processed my check,” Wilson said.

Oldfield did not have an exact day when money stopped being processed prior to Sept. 30.

In effort to get their money refunded, the couple filed a consumer complaint with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. According to attorney general spokesman Scott Melford, the office has taken several phone calls from ticket holders who have been refused repayment of their tickets.

Melford said the theater is notified of each complaint. According to Melford, the attorney general’s office acts as a mediator to try and resolve the problem. To file a complaint, forms may be filled out and submitted at www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov

According to the Rosebud’s Investor Board Chairman Dean Bingham, although complaints or lawsuits can be filed, the Rosebud has no assets to repay ticket holders.

“We have no assets to give them,” said Bingham, “there’s no money in the bank”

Bingham said the theater is currently being supported by Agracel Inc. of Effingham. Bingham also is president of Agracel.

Bingham also said the theater has considered bankruptcy as an option.

The city of Effingham has given a total of $1.2 million to the theater for marketing purposes and, according to Effingham Tourism Director Kim Jansen, the money has been used for that purpose.

But Wilson is still upset his money can’t be returned and believes the theater should have a contractual obligation to repay him.

“This is a white collar crime,” he said.

Samantha Newburn may be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 131 or samantha.newburn@effinghamdailynews.com.