Positive Coronavirus Test Stops Shakespeare in the Park for the Third Time


Joy is still taking a break.

Public Theater free Shakespeare in Park production of “Happy Wives” The company, which delayed opening night for nearly two weeks after its leading man was injured, announced on Friday that it would cancel its third performance in a row after learning that a production member tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday.

The theater had canceled Wednesday and Thursday performances at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park in accordance with its current protocols. He announced on Twitter on Friday that he would also cancel Friday’s performance “to support the artistic and logistical efforts needed to restart performances.”

Theater spokeswoman Laura Rigby said the theater plans to resume performances on Saturday. Production is scheduled to run until September 18, with a special gala performance on September 20.

The theater noted on Twitter that it has implemented “rigorous testing and daily health and safety protocols to ensure everyone’s safety.” On Wednesday, he said players, crew and staff would isolate and carry out additional testing if necessary.

Earlier this week, the theater delayed the play’s opening night from July 27 to August 9 after Jacob Ming-Trent, who plays Falstaff, suffered an undisclosed injury. (The theater said it was recovering and in his absence Brandon E. Burton would play the part.)

The show, a contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” has been in pre-screenings since 6 July. on stage. Bioh and Ali said they hope the production will make Shakespeare accessible to all audiences, especially people of color who are told Shakespeare isn’t for them.

“We want it to be anti-racist,” Ali told The New York Times this month. “We want it to have opportunities for people of color that didn’t exist before.”

In June, the theater announced it would fill the Delacorte Theater by up to 80 percent.

Persons showing evidence of vaccination can stay in full capacity sections, and distance sections are available for those who are not vaccinated (and theater audiences do not need to show evidence of a negative test to enter). Face masks are required for people in both sections during entry and movement, but those in full capacity sections can remove masks while seated.

On Friday, Rigby said the theater is monitoring Covid-19 cases in New York City and will change its policies if necessary, in collaboration with city, state and union partners.

The cancellations come amid an increase in cases caused by the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, which has delayed a number of stage productions and delayed television and film projects in Europe last month. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical “Cinderella” recently took its opening night in London’s West End back nearly a month after an actress tested positive, with “Hairspray” at the London Coliseum and “Romeo and Juliet” at Shakespeare’s Globe There were also delays in productions. after positive tests.

In the United States, the Delta variant is now responsible for the majority of cases, and some experts recommend that fully vaccinated people wear masks again to protect the unvaccinated.



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