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Nearly a year after the closure of Celebrations Dinner Theatre, a significant number of customers are still anxiously waiting for their refunds. Despite the passage of time, over the past 10 months, at least 10 frustrated patrons have reached out to the Free Press, expressing their bewilderment and anger about not receiving reimbursement for gift cards they had purchased for the now-defunct Winnipeg entertainment venue.

Among those waiting are John and Hazel Clouston. In July 2023, John Clouston bought a gift card worth approximately $160 as a birthday present for his wife, Hazel. They used this gift certificate to reserve seats for the show “Mamma Mio” scheduled for September 2023. Unfortunately, the performance never took place because the unionized staff went on strike that month, demanding higher wages. Less than a week into the strike, the parent company, Act Three Entertainment, announced the immediate closure of Celebrations Dinner Theatre.

Bob Cunningham, the president of Act Three Entertainment, cited inflation as the primary reason for the closure, stating that Celebrations could no longer operate profitably. In response to the abrupt shutdown, Act Three Entertainment assured guests that they would receive full refunds for tickets to cancelled events.

As of October 10, Cunningham informed the Free Press that all paid show tickets had been refunded and that the company was in the process of reimbursing subscription packages. However, customers who had purchased gift cards, or tickets using gift cards, remain uncertain about when, or if, they will receive their money back.

Hazel Clouston expressed her skepticism about getting a refund by saying, “I doubt we’ll ever see the money.” The couple attempted to contact the Winnipeg office last year but discovered it had been closed. They also reached out to Jubilations Dinner Theatre, Act Three’s operations in Calgary and Edmonton, but reported no success in resolving their issue.

Questions regarding reimbursement directed to Cunningham went unanswered by the print deadline on Friday. An employee from Aussie Rules Piano Bar, another Alberta-based establishment under Act Three Entertainment, confirmed that Cunningham had received the message but did not provide further details.