Stage AE closes because of coronavirus fears; other Western Pa. venues continue scheduled shows
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Stage AE on Pittsburgh’s North Shore announced Friday that it will close through May 1, subject to ongoing reassessment.
“Our hope is that we are able to reschedule as many of the affected events as possible, but at this time there is limited information on new dates,” PromoWest Productions said it a prepared statement. “If a new date is announced, there is nothing you need to do: your tickets are valid for the new date and you will be notified.
If a show is not rescheduled, a refund will be issued within 30 days, PromoWest said.
“Otherwise, refunds are available at your original point of purchase,” the company said.
PromoWest said to visit stageae.com for updates.
Elsewhere in Western Pennsylvania:
• The Palace Theatre, Greensburg: The Westmoreland Cultural Trust, which operates the theater, has issued this statement:
“At this time, all shows at The Palace Theatre from March 14-April 4 have been postponed. We are working with promoters and tours to secure new dates for the performances. Once confirmed, an updated email will be sent to ticket holders with the rescheduled dates and ticketing options. Patrons should retain their original tickets as they will be honored for the new date.
We will continue to closely monitor current recommendations from US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Pennsylvania Department of Health for updates and news on changing circumstances in regards to covid-19.
Patrons may call the box office at 724-836-8000 with any questions. Updates can be found on The Palace Theatre website.”
“If patrons prefer, a credit will be issued for a future show,” instead of having tickets applied to make-up dates, says Teresa Baughman, director of operations and programming.
“All the national tours for artists scheduled at The Palace through April 4 have suspended their tours,” she says.
Information also will be updated as it becomes available on social media and the box office phone message. Someone also will be stationed at the theater on the dates of cancelled shows to inform any patrons who aren’t aware of the schedule changes.
Details: 724-836-8000 or thepalacetheatre.org
• Lamp Theatre, Irwin: “We’re waiting to hear from the state on any mandated closures,” says Bill Elder, productions and operations manager. “We’ll follow all state regulations and guidelines, but we don’t want to jump the gun before they’re in place.”
In the interim, the theater has ramped up cleaning protocols and will discontinue meet-and-greets with featured artists.
If the venue has to suspend operations at some point, Elder says, “We’re looking at postponements, not cancellations.” Patrons will be kept informed via the website, Facebook page and email blast.
Details: 724-367-4000 or lamptheatre.org
• Oaks Theater, Oakmont: “Until there is a mandate from the (Centers for Disease Control) or other relevant agency, or a confirmed case nearby, we will continue with our scheduled programming,” says events manager J.R. Shaw.
“We’re complying with the best practices now recommended,” he says. “We’re being more vigilant than usual about hand-washing and sanitation, and we’re asking staff members to stay home if they’re sick.”
The theater will refund tickets purchased for upcoming events for people with compromised immune systems, he says.
“All of our shows for the next couple of months are local acts,” Shaw says. “We’ve been in touch with them, and none of them want to cancel. Our first preference would be to reschedule if we have to. In that case, we’ll transfer tickets over or issue a refund for anyone who requests it.”
Details: 412-828-6322 or theoakstheater.com
• Petersen Events Center, Oakland: A statement on the venue’s home page says staff is monitoring developments related to the virus and following precautionary guidelines from the CDC and other public health organizations, including:
• Increased signage outlining advisable precautions (e.g. frequent handwashing, safety recommendations, etc.)
• Regular cleaning of high touch point areas such as, escalator handrails, stair railings, door handles, purchase devices and elevator buttons with CDC recommended products.
• Regular cleaning and sanitizing of facility public spaces and rest rooms.
• Adding additional hand sanitizer stations in various locations throughout the facility.
The next event scheduled at the Pete is March 20 — the Millennium Tour 2020, with Omarion, Bow Wow and Ashanti. Changes to the schedule will be posted on the website.
Details: peterseneventscenter.com
The Pittsburgh area is not alone. Tours, awards shows, conventions and festivals are announcing cancellations and postponements daily due across the United States and elsewhere.
New York’s governor ordered all Broadway theaters to shut their doors in the face of ongoing coronavirus concerns, plunging into darkness one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions and causing turmoil in the run-up to the Tony Awards.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday banned gatherings of 500 or more in the city, effectively forcing the hand of Broadway producers who had previously said that Broadway would be “open for business” unless advised not to by the government.” Shows will resume April 13, only 10 days before the official cut-off for eligibility for the Tony Awards.
The move comes a day after Broadway’s two largest theater chains revealed that a part-time usher and security guard who worked at two theaters in recent days tested positive for covid-19 and was under quarantine.
The entertainment industry, a business predicated on drawing crowds in theaters, cinemas and concert venues, is bracing for possible shutdown in the coming weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, potentially putting on pause the normal hum of TV productions, the bustle of red-carpet movie premieres and the applause of audiences.
On Thursday, the upcoming releases of “A Quiet Place 2” and the latest “Fast & Furious” movie, “F9,” joined the many postponements.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. There have been at least 38 deaths in the United States so far. Hotspots such as Italy show how infection and death rates grow exponentially, causing the government to order extreme shutdowns.
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.
Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Shirley at 724-836-5750, smcmarlin@tribweb.com or via Twitter @shirley_trib. Mary Pickels is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Mary at 724-836-5401 or mpickels@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MaryPickels.