ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. -- The Roanoke Rapids Theatre will go dark for much of July to give new management time to prepare for new shows.

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The city still expects South Carolina-based Gilmore Entertainment to release a full schedule of matinee, weekend and holiday shows during a transition period.

     

But the city said in a news release that no performances will be scheduled "for the first few weeks in July."

     

The letter of intent between Gilmore Entertainment and the city expires July 1. Company officials said they continue to talk with the city about whether the company's ideas were a good fit for the theater.

     

The venue had been named The Randy Parton Theatre before an agreement between the city and the brother of country music star Dolly Parton fell apart. The city borrowed $21.5 million to build the facility, hoping it would help the town's struggling economy.