NYC Opera Faces Bankruptcy

The New York City Opera's now-running production of Anna Nicole may be its last.

After the curtain falls following the last performance of “Anna Nicole” – an audacious chronicle of tabloid diva Anna Nicole Smith that opened the company’s 2013-14 season – the “People’s Opera” will have only a few days to raise millions of dollars. The 70-year-old company, which has faced financial challenges for a decade, will file for bankruptcy next week if it does not reach its fundraising goals. Earlier this month, the company began a Kickstarter campaign aimed at crowdfunding $1 million of the $7 million needed to carry out the rest of the season. The three remaining productions scheduled for 2013-14 are to be canceled if the goal is not met. To continue to 2014-15, an additional $13 million would be needed. “We have until Monday to raise the rest of the money we need to save our season and save the Company,” general director George Steel wrote in an email to supporters last night, with “Urgent Message” in the subject line. As of yesterday, $1.5 million had been raised, spokesman Risa Heller told the Associated Press.

The company left its longtime home at Lincoln Center two years ago and has since performed at venues around the city.