Livent Inc. released an update Nov. 24 about its performances in Toronto, confirming that The Phantom of the Opera is indeed still running at the Pantages Theatre, despite bankruptcy filing by Livent. However, performances of all concerts in the American Airlines Concerts series at the George Weston Recital Hall at the Livent-operated Ford Centre for the Performing Arts are canceled, as are the Pantages Theatre's presentations of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.

The North York Performing Arts Centre Corporation (NYPACC) is poised to take over management of the troubled facility, where recent Livent productions of Show Boat, Ragtime and Fosse had their world premieres.

The NYPACC is hoping to restore some 1998-99 bookings at the Centre, including community-oriented rentals.

Tours of Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk, Peter Pan and Cirque Ingenieux, all part of the "Broadway at the Centre" series at the Ford Centre, have also been canceled. Patrons with tickets to the American Airlines or Broadway series are being offered Phantom of the Opera tickets in exchange.

Livent is operating under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), which provides Livent with creditor protection while it seeks financial restructuring. Livent and its U.S. subsidiaries filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New York Nov. 18. Patrons may exchange tickets at the Pantages box office, 244 Victoria Street, Toronto.

-- By Kenneth Jones