The company behind a drive-in movie theater southwest of Boston--and a popular television program that focuses on food--will no longer be involved in the opening of a popup theater south of the city, as the fallout continues over recent comments made by the company's CEO.
According to an article from the MetroWest Daily News, the drive-in theater planned for the Marshfield Fairgrounds will not end up being run by Dave Andelman of the Phantom Gourmet (along with his brothers Dan and Michael), as the Marshfield Agricultural and Horticultural Society has cut ties with them after Dave Andelman--who is also co-owner of the Mendon Twin Drive-In--made a series of controversial comments on Facebook concerning the Black Lives Matter protests. The post says that the drive-in still plans to open at the fairgrounds, with Eugene Dean of the New Hampshire-based Fiesta Shows operating it instead (and running its concessions) while Fest Events will take care of the movie functions there.
In discussing the decision, Marshfield Agricultural and Horticultural Society President Lenny LaForest says that "It started out as a cooperative business agreement and with the issues that came up with David, we decided it wasn't reasonable," while town selectman Chris Rohland states that "I can’t condone what he wrote and it pleases me to see you've parted ways, considering the situation." (WBZ-TV has also responded to Andelman's comments by putting the Phantom Gourmet's show on hiatus; it isn't known when--or if--the show could return.)
The Marshfield drive-in is expected to run Thursdays through Sundays (weather permitting) and it could start up this weekend if all goes well.
Thanks to WBZ 1030 for initially bringing this to our attention.
by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)
[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]
