On Stage: Local theaters cope with changes

Theaters are in for a bumpy ride as they try to reschedule their shows in the wake of coronavirus and its spread in the area. Some theaters got a few shows on stage before closing, while others were canceled the week of their openings. Some shows are being rescheduled while others cancelled.

Here’s a run down of current plans for local playhouses in the coming months. Most dates are contingent on guidance from heath officials and local government.

Melon Patch

The Melon Patch in Leesburg has rescheduled “Cabaret,” which was canceled a week before its March opening to May 15-31. The last play of the season, “The History Boys.” has been canceled entirely.

A determination has not yet been made on the Spotlight Series production, “The Last Romance” which is scheduled for April 25-26.

The Melon Patch is asking patrons who cannot attend in May to consider donating back the ticket price to help the theater deal with the loss of income.

Details: melonpatchplayers.org

Sonnentag Theatre at the IceHouse

The Sonnentag Theatre at the IceHouse has canceled all performances of “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” and plans to bring the production back in the future. A Gentleman’s Guide Fund has been established to help cover the loss of income for the show cancellation. . Tickets already purchased may be donated to the fund.

The next production, the modern comedy “One Slight Hitch” is scheduled May 15 to June 7.

Tavares Community Theater

The Tavares Community Theater’s production of “Cemetery Club,” at the Tavares High School Auditorium only got in three performances before the spread of the corona virus shut them down.

Although they were hoping to move the show dates to April, they are now considering making it the first show in their permanent theater home in December.

“When we open in our building, we are toying with opening with “Cemetery Club,” said founder Noel Miner. “We did three shows and on the third show got a standing ovation. We were only allowed 50 people because of the coronavirus and we got a standing ovation. We were in stride with our third show.”

Details: tavarestheater.org

Bay Street Players

The Bay Street Players in Eustis has postponed the opening of “Moonlight and Magnolias” to April 17. According to the website, ticket holders will be contacted directly with updates.

“Community theater is like any other small business. We are going to suffer from the shut down. Of course, the safety of our employees and patrons is paramount. We will take this time to work hard and be ready to come back with a great production as soon as we safely can,” said production manager Nina Vatter.

Moonlight Theatre

The Moonlight Players had to cancel the March opening of “Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of Macbeth” and will reschedule the show for June 12-21.

The next show, “Tuck Everlasting” will be pushed back two weeks to May 8-21.

The troupe’s production of “Nunsense a Musical Comedy” that was set for four shows April 17 to 19 at the Clermont Performing Arts Center, has been rescheduled to June 5-7.

The “Overdue Bills” show scheduled for June 5-21 has been canceled.

The Living Drama Theatre

The Living Drama Theatre in Eustis has closed all shows there and delayed the opening of the musical “Godspell”

“Godspell will be pushed back, we’re looking at May before Mother’s Day if we have the green light,” said owner Joe Durante. “It’s a great, uplifting musical for what we’ve all had to go through.”

Details: livingdramatheatre.com