The Actors Repertory Theatre is now officially defunct.

The board of directors made the final decision earlier this month. It may take another six months to finish the dissolution process, but essentially ARt is history.

What can subscribers do?

According to a release sent out by the board, refunds are not an option.

However, subscription holders will have several other options, as follows:

• Exchange your unused tickets for Interplayers tickets. Interplayers, Spokane’s other professional theater, will give ARt subscribers tickets to its seven remaining plays in exchange for the four unused ARt tickets plus $30. Call Interplayers at (509) 455-7529 for details.

• Exchange your unused tickets for Spokane Civic Theatre tickets. The Civic, Spokane’s community theater, will give ARt subscribers coupons for two Main Stage plays and two Studio Theatre plays in exchange for four unused ARt tickets. The deadline for exchange is Nov. 1. Call (509) 325-2507 for details.

• Convert your ARt tickets into a charitable donation to ARt. A patron who purchased an $85 subscription will be donating $68 to ARt. A patron who purchased a $75 subscription will be donating $60. In order to receive a letter confirming the tax-deductible donation, patrons should mail their tickets to P.O. Box 12, Spokane, WA 99210. Please write “Donation” on the envelope. Tickets should be returned by Nov. 10.

And finally, let me add one brief line of eulogy to ARt. In its five years of existence, it delivered some of the finest theater I have seen in 20 years as a theater critic. ARt will live on as a high point in Spokane’s cultural history.

A true Phantom-o-phile

Spotlight received a nice note this week from Gayle White of Post Falls, who has fully earned the title of Phantom-o-phile.

Assuming she attended Saturday’s show planned, it will have been her 14th viewing of “The Phantom of the Opera.” She has attended the show in 10 different cities, including Vancouver, Phoenix and New York City.

As impressive as that is, there may be some Phantom Phans in our region who can top it. If you can, drop an e-mail to me at the address at the end of this column.

Still, I’ll bet there aren’t too many people who have a “Phantom” tattoo on their right shoulder. White does.

‘Phantom’ cabaret

Speaking of “Phantom of the Opera,” the cast members from the national tour will perform a benefit cabaret show tonight, 10 p.m., at Dempsey’s Brass Rail, 909 W. First Ave.

They’ll show off their national-class talent and they’ll also auction off props, merchandise and tickets. Proceeds benefit the Spokane AIDS Network. There may also be a small cover charge.

This event might seem a little late for a Sunday night, but look at it this way: These cast members have to get that other show out of the way first.

A Thin Air milestone

Let’s all wish KYRS-FM (Thin Air Community Radio, 92.3 and 89.9) a happy birthday this month as it celebrates its fifth year of broadcasting.

They’ll be holding a party on Saturday, 4 p.m. at the Swamp Tavern, 1904 W. Fifth Ave. Call (509) 747-3012 for details.

McFerrin at the Hamp

The schedule for February’s Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho in Moscow has been set.

Vocalist extraordinaire Bobby McFerrin tops the list of headliners:

Feb. 25: Jon Faddis, Jackie Ryan and Jose Rizo.

Feb. 26: Monty Alexander, Kenny Barron, Anthony Wilson and Chico Pinheiro.

Feb. 27: Bobby McFerrin, Monty Alexander, Jeff Hamilton and John Clayton.

Feb. 28: Eldar Djangirov, Gretchen Parlato and the Lionel Hampton New York Big Band with Joe Locke.

Tickets will go on sale in December.

Holy Humperdinck

Arnold George Dorsey is coming to the Northern Quest Casino on Friday, 8:30 p.m.

You might know him by his stage name, Engelbert Humperdinck, of “Release Me” fame.

He’s billed as a “romantic pop singer” – apparently still a possibility at age 72.

Tickets are available through the Northern Quest box office at (509) 481-6700 or through TicketsWest outlets (509-325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).

A student theater influx

If you happen to notice about 300 high school theater students converging on North Central High School on Friday and Saturday, here’s why: North Central is hosting the Inland Northwest Theatre Arts Festival next weekend, featuring high school students from 25 area high schools.

It’s the festival’s 25th anniversary.

A plethora of ‘Sweeney Todds’

Here’s another reminder that Spokane has two productions of “Sweeney Todd” to look forward to.

• The Spokane Civic Theatre’s concert version, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m. on the Main Stage. Tickets are $30, which include a post-show hors d’oeuvres reception. This is a benefit to help renovate the Civic’s orchestra pit. Max Mendez will sing the role of the “demon barber of Fleet Street” and Darnelle Preston will sing the role of Mrs. Lovett. Call (509) 325-2507.

• The national tour of the recent London and Broadway revival will play two nights, Dec. 14 and 15, 7:30 p.m., at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox. Tickets range from $30 to $60, available through TicketsWest.

True “Sweeney Todd” fanatics – and there are plenty – will be happy to attend both.