UNITY THEATRE POSTPONES FIRST PRODUCTION OF 2020-21 SEASON
Unity Theatre in Brenham has postponed what would have been its first performance of the 2020-21 season.
In a press release this (Monday) afternoon, the theatre announced the postponement of Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley, originally scheduled to run September 24th through October 11th. The comedic drama will be moved to the theatre’s 2021-22 season.
Unity Theatre Executive Artistic Director Kate Revnell-Smith said the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic is still very uncertain, and the theatre had to make a decision before beginning scheduled rehearsals this week.
Revnell-Smith said a large contributing factor in the decision to postpone the production is the average cost of producing a Main Stage show, which ranges between $30,000 and $35,000. She said this decision had to be made before investing a large amount of money into the production.
Revnell-Smith also explained that many of the theatre’s professional artists live and work in the Houston area, saying she currently “cannot guarantee the safety of the six actors who would be interacting on stage together”. She said the actors’ health and safety is paramount, and bringing them together is not a risk she is prepared to take.
The theatre is still preparing to produce Mark Twain’s The Diaries of Adam and Eve adapted by David Birney in its allotted time slot of October 29th through November 8th. Although the dramatic comedy is a Studio Series production, it will be performed on the Main Stage to allow patrons wishing to attend in person to socially distance. She said the theatre will also provide an online showing for those not comfortable with coming in person.
To learn more, or to see the theatre’s remaining lineup for the 2020-21 season, visit www.unitybrenham.org.