Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts has passed the $900,000 mark in its race to raise the $1.7 million needed by April 30 to ensure that the historic theater is able to keep its doors open.

Officials announced Friday that Music Hall has raised $930,000 from corporations and individuals since the Free Press reported two weeks ago that the theater’s accumulated debt had placed the nonprofit cultural institution in danger of closing. In addition, theater officials said that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan had made a $50,000 pledge to the effort, claiming title sponsorship for Music Hall’s Feb. 12 benefit concert featuring R&B star Chaka Khan and a variety of local talent. Additional national performers are expected to be named later.

Music Hall president Vince Paul said that he was both thrilled and a little surprised at the community’s response to the 88-year-old downtown theater’s hour of need.

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