In response to the continuing novel coronavirus pandemic, the Bucks County Playhouse has announced it will cancel its 2020 Summer Season.
Producers said a revised 2021 season will include: “Auntie Mame,” “Kinky Boots,” “Dames at Sea” and “Evita.”
Producing Director Alexander Fraser, Executive Producer Robyn Goodman and Producer Josh Fiedler made the announcement in a video sent to patrons and subscribers asking them to keep the faith and continue their support of the Playhouse as it works to re-open as soon as it is viable.
To serve the New Hope-Lambertville community, and with the goal of producing revenue to offset health-care costs for furloughed staff, the Playhouse’s restaurant, The Deck, has continued to operate as a take-out and delivery enterprise. Plans to re-open the restaurant and expand outdoor dining options are in place for when the county reopens.
“While it has become obvious that our full subscription season can’t happen this year, we trust that at some point this summer The Deck will be back in business, perhaps with an outdoor courtyard café.
“And as soon as it’s possible to re-open the Playhouse, we are planning to finish our run of the new musical “Other World” – and then produce a variety of play readings and concerts in the fall and a holiday show,” said Fraser.
“In the meantime, we are in an active hibernation right now – moving our youth education programming online, providing take-out and delivery service from The Deck, and launching ‘Playhouse Live!’ online Sunday nights and a new weekly newsletter.”
The Playhouse’s decision to cancel the summer productions comes after weeks of deliberation and extensive revisions to both the budgets and schedules.
Playhouse leadership is currently preparing a fundraising strategy to provide for the continuation of health-care benefits for the staff, as well as to ensure the long-term financial viability of the Playhouse.
The Playhouse will be working to entice subscribers and donors to keep their subscriptions and giving in place in order to return at full strength. Legacy programs are being developed to honor patrons who pledge their support to the Playhouse.
