North Shore Music Theater Closes Curtains

After struggling for months to raise enough money to stay afloat, the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly is going dark for good.

Theater officials say mortgage and vendor debts, the state of the economy and the cost of re-building after a fire four years ago contributed to the theater's demise.

Catherine Peterson, the executive director of Arts Boston, said she is sad to see one of the region's oldest theater companies close.

"We'll remember North Shore and all the wonderful performances they've given us, but audiences will still be able to enjoy great musicals in Boston," Peterson said.

Peterson said the arts community is already rallying to provide free seats in other theaters for the more than 4,000 subscribers who pre-paid for North Shore tickets and will not be getting a refund.