Photo by Kevin H.

During a press conference held earlier today outside the Lincoln Theatre, the financially-strapped venue’s board of directors unleashed several criticisms. Perhaps the loudest were about Mayor Vince Gray, who they claimed was refusing to take a meeting with them regarding the theater’s funding situation.

So what did Mayor’s office have to say about the board’s allegations? Turns out, they were surprised by them — considering they had no idea the theater’s leadership had been trying to get in touch.

“We’ve broadly surveyed our team and this is the first we are hearing of a call or request to meet with the mayor,” said Gray spokesperson Linda Wharton Boyd.

In fact, Wharton Boyd also said that “at the mayor’s instruction, senior members of the administration reached out to the Board chairman earlier this month to discuss the theatre’s financial situation and to work with the Board in developing strategies to address it.” But those calls were never returned, according to the Gray administration.

Given the miscommunication involved, is there any chance that Gray would meet with the board now, as Ward 1 Councilmember and theater board member Jim Graham was hoping?

“The mayor welcomes the opportunity to have a conversation with the theatre board to discuss recommendations to ensure its viability,” Wharton Boyd said.