Bay City’s historic State Theatre has closed down amidst FBI investigation
BAY CITY – On Friday, Feb. 29, the Bay City State Theatre filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and canceled all upcoming events, effectively closing the State Theatre.
As reported by ABC12, the State Theatre Board planned to file for bankruptcy by the end of February to pay off their mortgage fees. In 2020, the Bay County Growth Alliance President Christopher Girad and then-State Theatre Chief Operating Officer Mike Bacigalupo signed an $800,000 mortgage to finance Theatre repairs. The Theatre Board of Directors is also being sued for over $200,000 by Rick Springfield and is being investigated by the FBI.
Last summer, the State Theatre held a summer concert series. Springfield was among the iconic stars visiting Bay City’s Wenonah Park. As part of their contract, Springfield was issued half of his payment before the concert and received a check for the remaining half the day of the show. The second check issued by Bacigalupo and the State Theatre then bounced, and so did Bacigalupo.
“Despite Defendants’ repeated assurances that the money would be wired to Plaintiff, no payment has been made to rectify the outstanding balance owed due to the NSF check,” the lawsuit states.
Many Delta College students have grown up in Bay City with nostalgia for the State Theatre. This historic building has stood ground since 1908 and has been home to many iconic concerts, films and stand-up comedians. I have fond memories of my father taking me to the State Theatre to see the films he grew up with – I remember being scared out of my pants when he sat us front row for “Jaws.”
It is a genuine shame to see what is becoming of the Theatre. Bacigalupo has refused to issue any statement or comment on the situation to any major local news sources.
“We are grateful for the support of our community and donors over the years,” says State Theatre Board chairman Daniel Dimitroff.
