A woman who purchased tickets for a Bee Gees tribute show at the New Everett Theater says she is still awaiting a refund months after the event was called off. She first noticed the performance had vanished from the venue's online calendar in September and subsequently learned the show was canceled. The $129 she spent on tickets, paid for by her parents, remains unreimbursed as of the scheduled October 10 date.
Her experience is not isolated. Multiple individuals have reported similar situations involving Theatre and Concert Consulting, an entertainment agency operated by the former manager of the Historic Everett Theatre. The company's leadership issued a statement on May 2 announcing that all upcoming productions under the agency's purview were being canceled due to unforeseen financial difficulties.
Public records indicate that on May 30, the agency's operator filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection. In an email dated October 1, he explained that mounting operational expenses and weak ticket sales contributed to the filing.
At least three ticket holders, along with the frontman for a Pearl Jam cover group whose booking was abruptly scrapped, have expressed frustration over a lack of communication regarding their money. Regarding the financial restitution, the agency operator stated in an October 1 email that all sales were final and non-refundable. He claimed to have processed $24,457.61 in refunds but did not provide documentation when asked for a record.
The New Everett Theater, formerly called the Historic Everett Theatre, now functions as a rental space. The owner, a Bellevue real estate broker and investor, reported that the venue has suffered reputational damage and lost revenue from unpaid rental fees. Because the venue does not retain customer contact information, the owner cannot determine who went uninformed about the cancellations.
The owner stated that the venue cannot issue direct cash refunds but can offer credit toward a future performance for those presenting canceled tickets. The woman who purchased the Bee Gees tickets acknowledged this gesture as an attempt to resolve the issue. Two days after the show's intended date, she contacted the agency operator, who advised her to reach out to Stripe and her bank for assistance. Stripe's own policy states that they cannot issue refunds on behalf of businesses, a contradiction the agency operator did not address when questioned.
The new ownership group expressed a desire for patrons to continue appreciating the historic venue. However, some customers expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which recent event cancellations were processed.
One local resident, who had purchased three tickets for a Richard Marx concert scheduled for April, learned of the cancellation via email just one week prior to the performance. The total cost for the tickets was $207, a charge that appeared on her bank statement as a payment to Theatre and Concert Co. Despite sending two email inquiries regarding a refund, she reported receiving no reply and remained uncertain about how to recover her funds.
Before the current owner, Phan, assumed control of the theater on June 1, 2025, the facility was managed by John Shriner, whose brother, Craig Shriner, had been the primary proprietor. Following the transition, John Shriner indicated he would remain involved as a producer and promoter for shows that had already been secured.
Shriner noted that his role as a promoter involved assuming financial risks. For instance, he advanced $20,000 to cover performer fees and theater rental for a Haley Reinhart concert in 2025. Earlier reporting indicated that the show had only sold 317 of its 800 available seats before the date.
State records show that Theatre and Consulting was established in 2022, with John Shriner listed as the owner of the limited liability company. In a communication dated Oct. 1, Shriner described the partnership as a failure for both sides. He recalled that he and his late wife had envisioned a space for local artists and affordable entertainment, stating that the venture was never intended to be profit-driven.
Bankruptcy documents filed in May, including a statement of current monthly income, revealed that Shriner reported $224.05 in profits from past shows at the Historic Everett Theatre. For the consulting firm, he recorded draws of $300 in February and $500 in March, with no income reported for the remaining months. The average monthly net income from the company was calculated at $133.33.
The filings also listed a $10,000 debt owed to Phan for overdue rent. This obligation was categorized as a nonpriority unsecured claim, with boxes checked to indicate that the amount was both unliquidated and disputed, suggesting the exact figure was contested. Shriner did not address this specific debt when questioned.
A member of Corduroy, a local band covering Pearl Jam songs, learned of their May 9 cancellation shortly after they had already arranged their travel.
Corduroy Show in Everett Cancelled Amid Disagreement Between Promoter and Band
A scheduled concert by the Seattle-based band Corduroy at the New Everett Theater was cancelled shortly before performance day, following a dispute over production costs between the event’s promoter and the band’s management.
According to the band’s account, the promoter, identified as a Sequim-based producer, indicated early on that pre-sale ticket revenue was below expectations. He reportedly informed the band that unless a payment of roughly $2,000 covering venue expenses was submitted, the show would be called off. The band declined to make the payment, citing a common industry norm that walk-up attendees often outnumber advance ticket buyers.
The band was notified of the cancellation via a May 8 social media post, which cited “unforeseen circumstances” as the reason for the delay. Shortly after, a fan relayed a separate narrative received directly from Theatre and Concert Consulting, the group managing the event. Their email to ticket holders, shared by the band’s representative, stated the cancellation was “totally out of our hands” and that the show had been called off one or two days before performance.
That same message noted refund options for those unwilling to wait, directing interested patrons to the venue or the Phenix Events website, the entity operating under the Shriner name. One fan mentioned she had not received a response to her refund request and ultimately filed a dispute with her credit card company.
The producer later explained in a written update that the cancellation stemmed from a mutual understanding between both parties. He added that Corduroy had proposed postponing the show in light of modest advance sales, only 34 tickets sold, and possibly rescheduling for a future date. He also noted that when he later inquired whether the band had initiated contact, he was told no, since the band considered him and the band’s liaison, Johnny Phan, to be the primary points of contact, respectively.
Phan, a former manager at the New Everett Theater with established ties to the regional music community, had introduced Corduroy to the producer earlier in the planning process. A band representative noted that while Phan proved cooperative and easy to work with, integrating another key player. Curt Shriner, proved more complicated, calling it “a mistake.”
Shriner followed up with another message indicating that he had reviewed his correspondence and determined that direct communication with the band had not occurred, as the band indicated ongoing discussions with Phan. He reiterated that only 34 advance tickets had been sold in the weeks leading up to the performance.
When Corduroy returned to Washington in early October for the 90s Flannel Fest in Moses Lake, audience members approached the band expressing curiosity, and disappointment, about the Everett show’s cancellation. The band’s representative described the in-person reactions as especially poignant, saying he “felt awful” witnessing their disappointment firsthand.
Despite the setback, Corduroy remains hopeful about returning to Everett for a future performance.
*Editor’s note: A review of court records revealed an unsecured claim for $500 in attorney fees owed to the Deno Millikan Law Firm, PLLC. Kent Millikan, grandfather to journalist Jenna Millikan and a founding partner of the firm before his retirement, was the recipient. Jenna Millikan, who was not previously aware of the connection, is covering the story for a regional outlet.*