Cd’A Summer Theatre announces 2020 season will move to next year

| May 9, 2020 1:00 AM

Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre has announced it is postponing upcoming performances and moving productions for the 2020 season to 2021.

"We have the safety and health of our audience members utmost on our minds," reads the Friday announcement. "We are concerned for the health of our patrons, actors, musicians, crew members, staff and volunteers. In this uncertain time, it is better to take all of the precautions necessary for safety measures."

The venue is at the mercy of the social distancing guidelines set by the governor and state. If the 2020 season were to proceed as planned, audience members would have to sit in a social distancing pattern at least 6 feet apart and would not be allowed to sit by their family and friends who attended the performance with them. Seating would be limited to 200 each night, which also diminishes sales capacity.

Actors and crew members would be required to social distance on and off stage, creating issues with the artistic integrity of the show and the logistics of performance. The quality of the shows would be diminished.

"The existence of the threat of the virus does not allow us to bring that quality to the public in the summer of 2020," the release states. "We are disappointed that we are forced to postpone the season, but we are delighted to preserve the entire season for next year. All of our current season and individual show tickets will carry over to 2021 at the same current pricing."

The 2021 season will include: "Little Shop of Horrors" and "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" next July; "The Full Monty" next July and August; and "All Shook Up" next August.

Season and individual ticket holders will be contacted by the box office with the new dates for tickets. The box office will transfer tickets to the new dates. Ticket-holders need not take any action.

Those unable to transfer tickets to the 2021 season can choose: A generous and tax-deductible donation of the ticket; to transfer tickets as gifts to loved ones or friends; or ticket vouchers to a 2020 non-season show or event.

CST will continue to bring performances to the community in the months to come, whether on stage or virtually.

The first CST virtual concert, “Just Around the Corner,” will be May 30 at 7 p.m.

CST will present musical theater numbers from favorite CST performers that audiences can enjoy in the comfort and safety of their own home. Local performers: Amy D'Orazi, Brandon Michael, Callie McKinney-Cabe, Jennifer Kleinkauf, Ruby Krajic and David Eldridge. Boise performers: Adelaide Turnage and Tristan Berg. Seattle-area performers: Jenny Shotwell, Megan Ruth Smith, Jackson Bouchard, Anden J. Leo and Elizabeth Cook; Texas: Nick Szoeke; and New York: Steve and Liz Czarnecki.

"COVID-19 has had a major impact on CST’s summer 2020 season," said board member Scott Shellman. "We are taking steps to be able present fun online and live performances starting May 30 and running throughout the remainder of the year. We look forward to presenting our 2020 shows next summer at NIC, and we appreciate the support from our patrons, sponsors and advertisers as we move beyond this unprecedented event."

"Working" will be on the Kroc Center stage Sept. 18 through 26.

"The Marvelous Wonderettes" will take place on the Mish-an-Nock on Lake Coeur d'Alene Oct. 2 and 3.

Big Man of Coeur d'Alene has been moved to Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. at the Coeur d'Alene Casino.

Visit cdasummertheatre.com or call 208-660-2958 for information about tickets and shows. The box office is open Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.