There’s an age-old saying in theater: “The show must go on”—meaning, whatever happens, you have to soldier on and put on the performance.
But as more and more cases of COVID-19 get reported and confirmed in the country, with 49 confirmed cases and two deaths as of this writing, schools, offices and events are taking more precautions to combat the virus’ spread. Theater companies are the latest to follow suit.
The Department of Health (DOH) has issued an advisory to postpone or cancel large public gatherings and has promoted social distancing, which can help in avoiding catching the human-to-human contact spread of the new coronavirus.
Many major events, from sales to festivals and even art fairs have already been canceled. And while this February-March season has normally been considered by theater actors and fans as “lagari season,” (for the sheer amount of productions that simultaneously take place) it looks like this will no longer be the case this year. Theater companies have been announcing cancelations and postponements in many of their productions this month, opting to move the shows to later dates of the year for the sake of public health (and the cast and production team’s health, too).
Bought a ticket to any of the shows this March? Take note of their schedules:
Next to Normal – Ateneo Blue Repertory
Canceled dates: Shows for the week of Mar. 11-18
The Band’s Visit – Atlantis Theatrical
Canceled dates: All show dates (Mar. 13 to 29)
Sandbox Fest 2020: Every Brilliant Thing and Lungs – The Sandbox Collective
Canceled dates: All shows for the weekend of Mar. 14-15
Nana Rosa – Dulaang UP
Canceled dates: Mar. 12-15
Tabing Ilog the Musical
Canceled dates: Mar. 12-15
Dekada ’70 Musical – Black Box Productions
Canceled dates: Mar. 12-14
Enrico IV – Tanghalang Pilipino
Canceled dates: Mar. 20-21
Top Girls – Tanghalang Ateneo
Canceled dates: Mar. 11-18
Under My Skin – Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA)
Canceled dates: Mar. 12-15
Anna in the Tropics – Repertory Philippines
Canceled dates: All show dates from Mar. 13-Apr. 5
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Read more:
30 mins with Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo: On ‘The Band’s Visit’ and the Philippine theater industry today
5 brilliant things about the one-woman play ‘Every Brilliant Thing’
On puppets and representation: A conversation on Tanghalang Pilipino’s ‘Batang Mujahideen’