This has been a year like none other. At a time when we should be busy getting ready to launch our summer show, we are silent. Our stages are dark, the sewing machines in the costume shop have stopped running, and the normal buzz of set construction is nowhere to be found. Just like you, we miss our actors – the joy of rehearsals – and the excitement of each opening night.
The question on everyone’s mind has been, “when will SRT be able to reopen?” While we are hopeful, we also know that for the time being we must remain closed. Our job now is three-fold. First, to vigilantly monitor Governor Newsom’s structured re-opening for California. Second, to remain patient. And third, to plan for the day when reopening Sierra Rep becomes a reality.
Given our current circumstance, it will be no surprise to anyone that Disney’s The Little Mermaid (scheduled to open on June 12th) has been cancelled along with Little Shop of Horrors, Stage Kiss, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, as well as our cabaret productions of 70’s Sirens and A Tribute to Roy Orbison. That said, we are encouraged that Tuolumne County is beginning to open and are now laser focused on Friday, September 11th – the date we hope and plan to re-open with exciting back to back shows for the remainder of the year. We are counting the days and know that you are too! In planning for the remainder of the year, our first decision is to replace Stage Kiss (previously scheduled for September) with a rollicking TBA musical.
Remaining 2020 Mainstage Productions: TBA Musical (replacing Stage Kiss): September 11 – October 11, Fallon House; Elf The Musical: November 6 – December 20, Fallon House; Meet Me in St. Louis: A Live Radio Play: November 20 – December 20, East Sonora.
As we share the excitement for the remainder of the season, we are conscious of the continuing challenge of paying bills when there are no shows on stage to generate funds. Even with the theatre dark, we are faced with the costs of utilities, rent, salaries for core staff, and ultimately the cost of bringing staff back when production commences.
As a non-profit arts institution, the impact of these lost performances is large but you can make a difference. If you have tickets to any of these cancelled productions, we ask that you donate the value back to Sierra Rep as a tax-deductible donation. Beyond donating your tickets back, if you would like to make a contribution to help us through this period, please consider donating to our Annual Fund. We have implemented a more flexible ticket exchange policy, which includes allowing all ticket buyers and season ticket holders to exchange tickets for another performance in the 2020 Season, receive gift certificates to be used during the 2020 season, or have their ticket purchases for cancelled productions refunded.
We hope you are as excited as we are about the season yet to come and we thank you for your unfailing support of our wonderful theatre! From all of us at SRT, we wish you and yours all the very best and can’t wait to see you again.
