Kids, parents and instructors are demanding an explanation tonight after a promoter of children's dance, art and music in Northern Westchester abruptly announced the closing of a children's theater in Cross River.

Parents have been bringing their kids to the Yellow Monkey Village complex off Route 35 for a taste of the arts, but then the center abruptly shut down, and parents say the man responsible, John Burton, has left more questions then answers.

David Millstein, of Mount Kisco, says he knows of parents who paid more than $1,000 for their kids' dance lessons, with little or nothing to show for it.

Rosemary Devlin, who owns the Yellow Monkey Village property, says Burton and a partner agreed to rent three of the buildings, including the arts center, last summer.

Devlin says most of the rent was never paid, so she changed the locks and is seeking eviction. According to Millstein, Burton's unpaid rent is an issue at other locations too.

Burton declined to be interviewed for this story, but said he's focusing on issuing refunds and finding alternate programs for students.