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Venice Theatre

Light the lights! Venice Theatre Back in Business

| Suncoast Post Staff |

Venice Theatre will reopen Sept. 26, 2020 after being closed due to COVID-19 since March 13, 2020.  Venice Theatre is happy to announce its return to live theatre, beginning Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020.  The theatre has followed the recommendations of medical and community advisors, and now it is ready to welcome patrons back to the building.

Producing Executive Director Murray Chase says, “Of course things will be different for a while. Shows will feature smaller casts. For at least a few weeks, we’ll hold all performances in our MainStage Jervey Theatre, with a distanced seating plan. There will be plenty of room, as we’ll only welcome 120 to 130 patrons per performance.” 

Venice Theatre Schedule

Chase is pleased to announce that the opening show will be a top-notch cabaret with Kristofer Geddie and Michelle Kasanofsky, two of the area’s top performers. Audience members will recognize Geddie from multiple VT musicals and plays over the last decade. Kasanofsky has worked as the theatre’s top music director since 2004 and is a thrilling performer in her own right.

The theatre will follow that up with a busy schedule through October with a variety of plays and musicals to be announced shortly. The schedule will be posted online, and tickets will be available for purchase in just a few days.

Since the schedule will be different through the fall, season subscribers have the best of both worlds: Those who purchased a subscription to the 2020-2021 season, will be automatically give subscriptions to the 2021-2022 season, with no price increases or loss of preferred seating. Additionally, current subscribers will be guaranteed no price increases for 2022-2023.

Many 2019-2020 subscribers received vouchers for future shows after the forced shutdown in March. Those vouchers are valid anytime through 2022, including this season and the upcoming September, October, and November shows (based on availability).

New Theatre Protocols

Chase adds, “As you might expect, protocols will be different for the first few weeks, as we work to reopen safely. Face coverings will be required of all audience members and staff. If someone doesn’t have one, we’re happy to provide one.) This includes, at least at first, during performances.”

The theatre staff will conduct quick temperature checks as patrons enter the theatre. The bar will be closed, at least for the first show and will reopen in stages. Tickets may be purchased online or by phone. However, there will be no in-person sales at first. Physical tickets will not be needed. There will be a reservation system and patrons will be ushered  right to their seats.

Chase explains, “These precautions will keep us all safe and allow us to be together again. We can’t wait to get back to business. We ask patrons to bring a smile; we’ll all have smiles behind our masks. Hopefully soon they won’t be needed.”

More Information visit their website.

About Venice Theatre

Venice Theatre is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to making a dramatic impact on all stages of life. The second largest of 10,000 community theatres in the United States, it is located at 140 Tampa Ave. W. in Venice, FL. Its Jervey Theatre offers seating for 432 patrons and features musicals, plays, concerts and special events.  Its Yvonne Pinkerton Theatre seats 90 patrons and is home to the theatre’s Stage 2 Series and Cabaret Festival. In addition to providing entertainment to the community, Venice Theatre offers a wide range of education and outreach programs for children and adults.

Photo courtesy of Facebook

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