After a 17-year run, Playhouse in the Park’s annual magic fundraiser Abracadabra disappears.

Turns out that the event made something else disappear -- almost 1,000 hours worth of staff time from other duties. Producing artistic director Ed Stern is thinking a breather from formal gala fundraisers, and with Playhouse eying the prize of a $60 million new theater complex on the hill or downtown, the development department will have plenty to occupy their time.