Pat Boone Family Theater's

Former Illusionist Speaks Out

March 25, 2012 - By Discover Myrtle Beach

It was supposed to be Myrtle Beach’s newest family theater; music, magic and laid back social gathering.

But marred with financial trouble, personnel changes and family dispute, financial troubles, the Pat Boone Family Theater’s opening seems more and more like an illusion than reality.

So what exactly happened to the Pat Boone Family Theater? We take a look at the theater’s short and turbulent history, through official reports, staff interviews and eyes of the theater’s former headliner.

PART ONE: THE DREAM COMES TO BE

It was announced in the new 600-seat venue, baring legendary recording artist and performer Pat Boone’s name was first announced in January 2010. The theater was supposed to headline an illusionist and offer musical acts, including Boone himself. But it’s over two years later and the doors at the theater remain closed.

After the initial announcement, silence was the only sound surrounding the new entertainment venue; no announcements, no construction; just hopes and dreams.

It seems the slow economy took it’s toll on the would-be-theater, but life presented itself in the summer of 2011, when Liquid Metal Productions announced that construction of the Pat Boone Family Theater was underway and there was now a target Grand Opening of August 2011.

Renovation were underway at a cost of $5 million and would give audiences an intimate experience, were only fifty feet would separate the back row of the audience with the stage.

Headlining would be world-class illusionist and mentalist, Morgan Strebler, who would perform at the theater, along with a variety of music acts, with Pat Boone himself performing two weeks out of the year.

Glenn Milligan, CEO of Liquid Metal Holdings, said, "It did take us a while to get here. But we're here. Our families are here and our children will be going to your schools. We are here for the long haul."

Everything seems to be on target as construction began roaring through the theater, which was located in the old NASCAR Grille building on Highway 17 and 21st Avenue North.

We were invited to tour the theater during the construction process. Remnants of the former tenant were quickly disappearing as crews worked to bring the theater to life.

But behind the scenes, things were not going so smooth.

PART TWO: THE DREAM BECOMES AN ILLUSION

Money issues, decision-making and finger pointing were quickly eroding at the future success of the new theater.

As quickly as the announcement came that the theater was preparing to open, another announcement came just a few short months later that headliner, Morgan Strebler was parting ways with theater.

In a press release by Strebler this past September 2011, the illusionist announced that he was relinquishing his ownership percentage within Liquid Metal Holdings. While stating that his decision was a difficult one, and that he wishes the Pat Boone Family Theater the best of luck moving forward with their future endeavors, a closer look at the press release revealed something more.

Also mentioned was Strebler’s love for the Myrtle Beach area; something the illusionist also told us in a previous one-on-one interview, while touring the theater. He also mentioned that he planned to return to Myrtle Beach when his non-compete clause is up.

Reading that portion of the surprising announcement, it was clear “something” was going on behind the curtain, without releasing any details.

Following Strebler’s announcement was a press release by the theater, which added to the undertones of problems from inside.

In a statement by the theater, CEO Glenn Milligan said, “Morgan is a talented illusionist but, as his father, my first concern has to be for Morgan and his health I believe that his return to Missouri is the best thing for him at this time. The Pat Boone Family Theater is in the process of firming up discussions with another illusionist act and we are still on track to open at the beginning of October.”

A follow up email by the theater to Discover Myrtle Beach at the time also mentioned creative issues that had to be dealt with directly.

With multiple reasons for Strebler’s departure now in play, the question of if and when the theater would open was resonating.

Fast forward to March 2012. With no apparent signs of construction or news from the theater, Strebler contacted Discover Myrtle Beach and at least one other local news organization for an interview about his future plans, what he believes will happen to the Pat Boone Theater and the problems which led to his decision to hand in his resignation and walk away from his ownership in the company.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH ILLUSIONIST MORGAN STREBLER

DISCOVER MYRTLE BEACH (DMB): It’s been 6 months since you left. Why come out and speak about this now?
MORGAN STREBLER (MS): It was something that was eating at me for a while and I wanted to set the record straight.

DMB: I actually talked to you quite a bit, as things were getting closer to the theater’s opening. So it came as a surprise when I read your press release.
MS: Yeah, there were a lot of things going on. I was being voted down by the company’s board on everything. I owned 55% of Liquid Metal Holdings. I was heading up the entertainment end, while he (Glenn) handled the business side of things. But even thought I was the majority owner, there was a board of directors, where everyone had one vote. My father surrounded himself with people who were close to him and worked with him in other businesses. They voted with him on everything.

DMB: Like what?
MS: He bought a $50K vehicle to shuttle talent back and forth from the airport and hotels. These were acts that were going to be coming in to play. But it wasn’t needed. He used the truck for his own personal use. He also leased a mansion in Grand Dunes for himself and they company was responsible for it. There was a lot of money being thrown away.

DMB: Did the board see this going on?
MS: Yeah, but they were scared of him. They would just vote for whatever he wanted.

DMB: So they were running out of money?
MS: They didn’t have it to begin with. My father lied to Burroughs & Chapin (the leasing company) about having $1 million in capitol. He only had about $500k. He thought they could raise money and bring in more investors while everything was being built. But they didn’t. If you don’t have enough operating cash flow, you’re never going to open. He lied about everything including my cousin being hired.

DMB: What do you mean?
MS: You met my cousin (who we met in the summer of 2011). He worked for the IRS. I suggested he be hired to help with the finances so we wouldn’t have any problems. He had him move to Myrtle Beach and give up everything he had to come work for the company. When everything was coming out, he let him go; saying he never offered him anything and called him a “punk”. My cousin was so upset he was promised a job and had it in writing. Even before that I wanted to hire a stage manager that I worked with on so many other shows. But he said “no” and hired someone else.

DMB: Was that a money issue also?
MS: The person he hired was cheaper, but he had no idea what he was doing and what it took to put on our show and what was needed. It was a ridiculous.

DMB: So what ultimately led to your resignation?
MS: We were getting into it about what I saw a money problems and other issues. That’s when he told me I could be replaced. They could hire 10 other magicians to do what I did and they didn’t need me. So I told him I would quit. That’s when he said, “Put it in writing”. So I did.

Morgan’s Official Resignation Letter:

Dear Glenn,
Per your request on August 22 2011. I’m submitting to you my written resignation from Liquid Metal Holdings LLC, and relinquishing my 55% ownership within the company. You said that I could easily be replaced by ten different magicians, and that you didn’t need me. That being said, I wish you and the rest of the team at LMH a long, happy and prosperous journey!
Best wishes,
Morgan Strebler

DMB: So why would they issue a statement about you leaving for health reasons.
MS: It wasn’t true. Two weeks after I left, I already started doing shows up and down the east coast. I was overseas in Lima, Peru and I have dates set up this coming June and July in England and Ireland.

DMB: But health issues seem a bit specific.
MS: I was taking medication for something, which caused a lot of weight gain. If you remember what I looked like at the press conference for the theater, I was very heavy. The medication caused a lot of weight gain. I gained even more after I left and got up to about 270lbs.

DMB: I saw your Facebook update. It looks like you lost a lot of weight now.
MS: I dropped about 70 lbs so far. I’m not on that medication anymore and I’ve been working out and eating a lot better. I’m at a good performing weight now, but I want to lose a little more.

DMB: What do you think will happen with the theater?
MS: They’re never going to open. They have no money. When I left they had under $100k left and I assume they were using it for themselves instead of the theater. Without any investors it will never happen.

DMB: But they have to have money to continue to pay the lease, right?
MS: They are operating under an 18-month renovation period. The building is still under renovations, so the lease doesn’t kick in yet.

DMB: Do you and your father speak at all now?
MS: No. Not at all.
DMB: Was your relationship always like this?
MS: We didn’t talk for the first 21 or 22 years of my live. Then he started calling and wanted to form a relationship. It was fine up until this point.

DMB: I also saw that you mentioned your non-compete clause was almost up. Are you planning on coming back?
MS: I’d love to come back. I really liked Myrtle Beach. I’d like to find another theater where we could do the show.

THE PAT BOONE FAMILY THEATER’S RESPONSE

Strebler hasn’t been quiet about what happened at the theater. He also spoke to WMBF News in Myrtle Beach after our interview and said some similar comments. While we were writing our article, the story broke on WMBF. We then contacted officials at the theater. We mentioned our article, which was in production asked if they had any comments to add or if they had any comments to the WMBF News story.

The theater manager said in an email to Discover Myrtle Beach, that there was no new story, just the ramblings of a former employee. As for the theater, there is no news and we would be among those who would be contacted when the time comes. We were also provided a formal statement regarding the news telecast:

FROM:  Glenn W. Milligan, CEO & Managing Partner

Everyone here at Liquid Metal Holdings (“LMH”) is both shocked and deeply saddened by the false and baseless comments made by Morgan Strebler in a WMBF interview yesterday. Mr. Strebler, who resigned his position with LMH on September 1, 2011, made these statements without any current, updated information concerning the Pat Boone Family Theater (PBFT), its progress, or its financial status. Further, the comments he made to WMBF regarding the use of funds were completely false and wholly unsupported by the facts, including a statement he made about LMH using $50,000 to purchase a van.  
When Mr. Strebler offered to resign, LMH accepted.  Our counsel will be notifying him in writing of his continuing legal obligations to protect LMH’s confidential information and the seriousness of making distorted and fraudulent statements about LMH.  Counsel also will advise him of LMH’s intention to take appropriate legal action if he persists in this conduct in the future.

As disclosed upon our arrival in Myrtle Beach, Morgan is my son.  In reality, his behavior and comments are more directed at me, personally, and not LMH.  Like any father and son, we have our disagreements and I choose to not air them in the media. 

Finally, at such time as we have a substantive update about our grand opening, we will hold a press conference and share that information with the media and, most importantly, the Myrtle Beach Community.

WHAT NEXT

Having personally seen plans for the theater, its construction and its entertainment, it’s clear there was a true vision the Pat Boone Family Theater.  Would may have been or may still come to pass is unknown. I’m sure along with us at Discover Myrtle Beach, there are many in the Myrtle Beach community that want to see the vision of the Pat Boone Family Theater become a reality.

As for what definitive issues lead to the theater’s current state…I am reminded of the last line of the "Nights in White Satin" poem by the Moody Blues.

"But we decide which is right, and which is an illusion."