ENTERTAINMENT: Wyrick sued but vows to reopen theater

  In a press statement, magician Steve Wyrick says his theater at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood will reopen by year’s end. But the producer of a tenant oldies tribute has sued to collect ticket revenue he says Wyrick withheld.
  A statement issued by Wyrick’s Los Angeles publicist, Sandy Friedman, describes the Wyrick theater as “temporarily dark,” saying it is “expected to re-open and resume full operation before the end of the month.
  “The unannounced closure was due to unexpected circumstances. Our goal and intent is to retain our current staff and continue to provide live entertainment,” the statement says.
  Asked Monday to clarify whether the statement means Wyrick would reopen his magic show or if another title would go into the theater, Friedman said that was “to be determined,” as Wyrick worked to “reorganize his investors.”
  Wyrick closed his show and the theater Thursday, two days after producer Bill Caron pulled his package tribute to the Platters, Coasters and Marvelettes.
  On Friday, Caron’s National Concerts sued Wyrick in Clark County District Court. Caron’s firm alleges Wyrick’s theater management failed to bill and collect revenues from tickets sold by outside brokers, and did not account for all revenues and expenses.
  The suit claims Wyrick’s company “acknowledged that it should have paid at least $23,000,” but did not have the funds. Caron also seeks the return of a $50,000 deposit.
  “We feel we really have been taken advantage of,” Caron said Monday.
  Wyrick also has been sued by HT Rest Vegas, which operates the Hawaiian Tropic Zone restaurant and nightclub in the same mall. A November suit filed in U.S. District Court alleges Wyrick owes $89,430 after Wyrick breached a co-promotional agreement, failing to buy back most of 3,000 ticket the restaurant attempted to sell for his show for one year.