SALT LAKE CITY — Under the direction of Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, the Eccles Theater, Capitol Theatre, Abravanel Hall and the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center will remain closed through May 15, according to a news release.
This affects the upcoming performance of Disney’s “Frozen,” a national touring production that was scheduled to run at the Eccles Theater April 15-May 3. The musical, based on the 2013 film, premiered on Broadway in 2018. The Eccles Theater is working with the show’s producers to reschedule the performance.
If a new date is unable to be arranged and the engagement is canceled, ticket holders will be notified and offered credits, exchanges and refunds, according to the release.
Earlier this month, the Broadway at the Eccles series canceled the final few productions of “Dear Evan Hansen” due to the novel coronavirus.
“In uncertain times, it is art that we turn to for escapism, joy and comfort. We are looking forward to welcoming you back into the theater in the very near future,” the Eccles Theater said in a statement. “When that day arrives, and this intermission comes to an end, the thrill that live theater brings will feel better than ever before.”
In the meantime, both “Frozen” and “Frozen 2” are available for streaming on Disney Plus, the Deseret News reported.
The 2020-21 Broadway at the Eccles season is scheduled to begin Aug. 25 with “Mean Girls.” Other productions in the season lineup include “Hamilton,” “Les Miserables,” “Chicago” and “To Kill A Mockingbird.” View here for the full schedule.
The COVID-19 pandemic has already cost Utah’s cultural sector more than $29 million, according to a recent report compiled by several arts organizations in Utah. The report, which included 534 responses, said 88.2% of the individual artists and organizations surveyed have canceled or postponed events, while the remainder have summer seasons that have not yet been affected.
As many Salt Lake cultural venues have shut down amid the pandemic, some have turned online to continue engaging with the public, according to the Deseret News. Here’s a list of venues that are reaching out on social media and other online platforms.