A Gloucester Stage Company production at the Gorton Theatre.
Amid a rolling list of arts cancellations, it seemed like a joke: the Gloucester Stage Company, announcing its summer season, beginning in June.
At first it seemed incautious, potentially harmful. But according to GSC managing director Christopher Griffith, there was absolutely no reason not to announce the season. But absolutely no reason as well, to think that GSC won’t be prudent about the health of its audience.
“We sat down with executive leadership,” Griffith says about the announcement, “and our artists, and employees. Everyone that works here was treated with the utmost respect. We had spent a long time making the connections that go into each show, and we were excited. This was the first chance we had to share the news.”
Look the season over, and you see why. The starry “Tiny Beautiful Things,” and Ken Ludwig’s Sherlock Holmes retelling “Baskerville,” precede three regional or world premieres—a mix of proven successes and ambitious new work. GSC flourished during last year’s 40th anniversary season—“figuring out our mission, building and growing,” Griffith says, and the company was hoping to continue that success
But now nothing will happen without a safe audience, confident that they can gather without endangering its collective health.
“We’re here to protect the asset,” Griffith says, “and the asset is the audience. Real lives are at stake, and we will make smart choices. We won’t jump too fast. We are committed to flattening the curve, and we’ll err on the side of caution.”
The GSC site (gloucesterstage.com) has complete ticketing refund details, and Griffith explains that the season might still continue even if one show or two must be cancelled.
“We have a couple of deadlines,” Griffith says, pointing out that each of the five productions is an entirely modular artistic unit. “Our production teams burn hot and fast. They come in, stage the work, and they’re done. If we do have to cancel, we can let our audiences know a month out, and hope for the next one. It gives everyone something to look forward to.”
Gloucester Stage Company’s managing director, Christopher Griffith.
In fact, almost all the major theater companies are hedging their bets, canceling incrementally, hoping that something might be salvaged from the summer season. The Huntington has suspended events through next month. Waltham’s Reagle Music Theatre has posted a potentially busy summer schedule, but is holding off an official announcement. The Center for the Arts in Natick has rescheduled through May 15. North Shore Music Theatre has postponed all pre-season spring events. Beverly’s Cabot is closed until further notice.
Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, whose Boston Common productions are a city highlight each summer, has followed GSC in announcing that “The Tempest” will open July 22. While keeping social restrictions in mind, Commonwealth Shakespeare still hopes to stage the free production, and has also announced that it will pay its artists and crew, postponement or not.
Gloucester Stage Company shares information and ideas with its theater partners, and although there aren’t any definitive solutions being proposed, exchanging ideas always helps.
“It’s always fantastic to connect with our partners,” Griffith says, “and share our thinking. We’re all working on the same information, and they’re making these hard choices as well. What they do will help us gauge our response.
“This industry is at risk,” he says. “We get about 50 percent of our income from large social gatherings, and our biggest supporters are likely to have stock portfolios. Everything has changed.
“We need to be conservative,” he emphasizes, “and make sure that the company is successful.”
Keith Powers covers music and the arts for Gannett New England, Opera News and Leonore Overture. Follow @PowersKeith; email to keithmichaelpowers@gmail.com.