The Roundabout Theatre's revival of Cabaret -- which recently reopened at its new venue, Studio 54 -- has been hit with a $3 million dollar lawsuit by its old venue, the Kit Kat Klub.
The building that the Kit Kat Klub resides in is owned by Douglas Durst, who has also been named in the lawsuit. Matt Johnson, owner of the Kit Kat Klub, is claiming a breach of contract, contending that Durst and Roundabout conspired to move Cabaret behind his back, after all parties involved had agreed that the Roundabout would take over his lease for the next three years.
Debra Millman, lawyer for the Roundabout, told PBOL (Nov. 18), "The suit is unfounded, based on the facts...we had a license of agreement and we just did not renew the option at the termination of the license agreement.
"[The Kit Kat Klub] knew back in early September," Millman continued, "that we were not renewing the agreement. We had to notify them at a certain time whether we were renewing, and we did."
Last week, in the midst of Studio 54 renovation delays, Johnson got a temporary restraining order to prevent the Cabaret set from being removed from the Kit Kat Klub. The motion was overturned the same day. -- By Sean McGrath