By Mary Ann Bourbeau | mbourbeau@tworivertimes.com
Arts organizations are scrambling to adjust their calendars of events in order to deal with the escalating COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, ticket holders are left wondering if they will receive credit or refunds for their purchases. Here we have the latest news from area theaters about how they are dealing with the situation.
The Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal Park had originally decided to limit seating to 250. As the number of coronavirus cases quickly increased, the theater decided to cancel all events through April 20, including its current run of “Matilda the Musical.”
“Theater and the arts are the lifeblood of our community,” said CEO Jess Levy. “It is a difficult decision for us, but we know we are doing what is best for our community.”
The theater will contact ticket holders regarding exchanges for future performances.
“The Axelrod PAC is a nonprofit and we count on ticket sales and donations to sustain our organization,” said Levy. “We recognize this is a difficult time for our patrons as it is for our organization. We look forward to welcoming you back in the spring and summer.”
The Count Basie Center for the Arts is working with artists to schedule new dates for postponed shows. So far the affected shows include Nate Bargatze (now June 28), Runnin’ Down a Dream: A Tribute to Tom Petty (now May 29), Straight Up with Stassi Live (now April 30), the Indigo Girls (TBD), Classic Albums Live (TBD), the Summer of Love Tour (now July 25), Rain, a Tribute to the Beatles (TBD), Letterkenny – Live (TBD), StarTalk Live with Neil deGrasse Tyson (now July 30) and Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony (TBD). Visit thebasie.org for further updates. Patrons unable to make any new dates should contact the box office at 732-842-9000 to make alternate arrangements.
The Two River Theater canceled August Wilson’s “Radio Golf” after the March 13 performance as well as all other events through May 10. The theater is evaluating the situation daily and will provide updates at tworivertheater.org. If you have tickets to “Radio Golf,” you may exchange them for a future performance or consider donating them back to the theater. Ticket donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. The box office will contact each patron to coordinate ticket exchanges, donations or full refunds.
The Holmdel Theatre Company has postponed its upcoming production of “The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail,” which was set to open March 27. The theater will reach out to ticket holders and provide full refunds.
“It was a hard decision,” said artistic director Laurie Devino. “The show was at a point in rehearsals where it was really coming together. Thursday morning I decided to postpone the show, first and foremost for the health and safety of our team and our patrons, but also out of respect for the actors’ hard work. I would hate to see them work for two more weeks only to have the show canceled. I also worried with the scarcity of cleaning supplies we wouldn’t be able to keep up with making sure our space was disinfected properly for our patrons. I didn’t want to risk contributing to the spread of COVID-19.”
Devino said the theater is working on finding new dates on which everyone is available.
“I don’t want to replace anyone in our fine cast,” she said. “We’ve already invested a fair amount of money in the production that we wouldn’t be able to recoup if we had to cancel.”
Monmouth University is working to adjust its arts schedule while navigating this uncharted territory.
“We are hoping to reschedule as many shows as possible and are working hard with the artists, agents and providers of our HD content to get those dates in place as soon as possible, which is hard to do when the uncertainty of the next month or so is in front of us,” said Kelly Barratt, assistant director of Monmouth University Center for the Arts. “We are offering exchanges and credits and are hoping most of our ticket holders can make it to a rescheduled show or to another show in the future, but will offer refunds if another option is not available. The health and well-being of students, patrons, artists and staff is our top priority and we ask for patience and understanding as we navigate this situation during an unprecedented time.”
Spring Lake Theater is postponing performances of its spring musical, “Monty Python’s Spamalot” with the hope of opening Friday, April 17. The exact dates and number of performances are yet to be determined based on developments that occur in the coming days. If you purchased a ticket to “Spamalot,” it will be honored for one of the new performance times. Anyone unable to attend will receive credit for a future production. For questions, call the box office at 732-449-4530.
New Jersey Repertory Company has canceled all remaining performances of “The Promotion” through April 5 as well as the March readings.
A post on the website said, “In the coming weeks, we will continue to monitor the status of this outbreak and evaluate our ability to once again welcome you to our theater. While nothing can fully replace the connections and conversations that are sparked by live theater, we are working to develop digital theatrical content to remain connected with you. Please keep an eye on your emails for further communications from us.”
Theater personnel will contact subscribers and ticket holders regarding the exchange of tickets for future performances. Patrons may also support the theater by donating their tickets or making a tax-deductible donation.
All of these changes are fluid, so please visit each theater’s website for the latest information.
Arts and entertainment reporter Mary Ann Bourbeau can be reached at mbourbeau@tworivertimes.com.
The article originally appeared in the March 19-25, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
