The curtain may be falling for the last time on Theatre Etobicoke after 64-years of thrilling audiences in South Etobicoke.

Theatre Etobicoke President Paul Louie admitted the long-running theatre has been hit hard by COVID-19.

“We rely solely on ticket sales and production sponsorships for our revenue generation,” Louie wrote on social media. “We have suffered devastating financial losses.”

He is not sure when the beloved theatre will return to normal operations, as they were unable to deliver any stage productions this summer.

“We are gravely concerned that without your support we will be forced to close permanently,” he said. “Our reserve funds that we worked so hard over the years to grow are depleting quickly.”

Louie said an emergency fundraising campaign is underway so the theatre ‘can remain financially solvent.’

He warned that without support from sponsors, donations and ticket sales, their reserve fund will only last so long.

“We are very proud to have been able to serve our community and operate as successfully as we have for the past 64 years,” Louie wrote. “We don’t want this pandemic to mark the final curtain call for Theatre Etobicoke.”

They hope to raise $25,000, or about one-year of their fixed costs. At least $5,000 of this will be committed from an emergency reserve fund.

“We plan to be around in 2026/2027 to celebrate our 70-year anniversary of offering quality, live community theatre,” Louie vowed.  The group’s last play was Death By Design in 2019.

Cheques can be sent by mail and made payable to: Theatre Etobicoke, 25 Whitlam Ave, Etobicoke, ON, M8V 2K1.

For more information, or to make a donation or e-transfer, patrons can visit www.theatre-etobicoke.com