Ticket holders at the New Everett Theatre face no clear path to cash refunds after the promoter behind multiple canceled shows filed for bankruptcy.
Curt Shriner, who runs Theatre and Concert Consulting, canceled all of his company's shows in a May 2 press release, citing "unforeseen financial circumstances," The Daily Herald first reported Oct. 17. Public records show Shriner filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy on May 30. He told the Herald that rising theater costs, weak ticket sales and lost revenue led to the filing.
Three ticket holders told the Herald they were left without refunds or clear communication. Aimee Martin said her parents paid $129 for tickets to a Bee Gees tribute show and were still waiting for their money as of the Oct. 10 performance date. Bianca Kamnitzer spent $207 on three Richard Marx tickets and said two refund emails went unanswered.
Shriner told the Herald all tickets were listed as non-refundable. He said he had issued $24,457.61 in refunds but did not provide records.
Theatre owner Johnny Phan, a Bellevue real estate broker who purchased the 800-seat venue at 2911 Colby Ave. for $1.5 million in June 2025, said the theatre operates as a rental space. Ticketing falls to each show's promoter. Phan said he has no access to ticket-buyer information and doesn't know who was affected until they contact the theatre.
"There's nothing we can do at this point," Phan told the Herald. "We didn't take anybody's money, and we can only offer a different show for them to earn their business."
Phan is offering credit toward future performances for anyone who brings a copy of their canceled ticket.
Shriner and Phan gave conflicting accounts of who canceled a May 9 show by Pearl Jam tribute band Corduroy, the Herald reported. The band's lead singer, Diego Zegarra, said the cancellation came just days before the performance, after flights were already booked.
For Everett residents still seeking their money, the Washington Attorney General's office outlines two main options when a business closes or files for bankruptcy. Consumers who paid by credit card can request a chargeback through their card issuer. The procedures are explained on the back of a credit card statement, according to the AG's office.
Consumers can also file a claim with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court where the business filed. The AG's office notes claimants usually have only 90 days from the bankruptcy filing date. For Shriner's May 30 filing, that window closed around late August.
The AG's office offers a free complaint resolution service for Washington consumers. The office contacts businesses on consumers' behalf but cannot compel a response. Residents can reach the AG's consumer line at 1-800-551-4636.
