Evolving from bankruptcy, Prince Theater names a new board and director

As the next step in its post-bankruptcy evolution, the Prince Music Theater has named a new board of directors and an executive director. James E. Hines, 35, is the new chief staffer, joining the Prince after three years as artistic administrator of the Mann Center for the Performing Arts. The Prince, a former movie house on Chestnut Street, exited Chapter 11 on Oct. 15 after being won at bankruptcy auction by a group of business investors known collectively as 1412 Chestnut Street Corp. The Prince Music Theater - the arts organization as opposed to the piece of prime real estate - will continue to occupy the building, paying rent under a 25-year lease to the ownership group assembled by businessman Herb Lotman. Lotman said his group would "reestablish the Prince as a premier destination in the city's performing arts, contemporary music, and film scene," presenting theater, comedy, classical and pop, jazz, and cabaret. Some of this will be rentals by outside groups; other events will be presented by the Prince itself. Shows and cabaret artists will be visiting in earnest starting in September, he said. Eventually, the theater would like to develop its own programming, as it did under founder Marjorie Samoff - who, according to Lotman, is no longer on the board or staff, but will consult during a period of transition. Lotman says the new board members are not investors - except for those who are partners in 1412 Chestnut St. Corp. - but philanthropists who will raise money and give money themselves. Read more at http://articles.philly.com/2013-03-15/news/37747714_1_marjorie-samoff-group-of-business-investors-new-board