The Maltz Jupiter Theatre has been forced to make significant changes to the Grand Reopening Season due to the recent surge of Omicron, resulting in the delay of the completion of the $36 million building renovation.
Finalizing such an expansive construction site during a pandemic has had its challenges including supply chain and labor shortages. While the construction teams have been working tirelessly to make significant progress to hand over the building, the latest variant outbreak has officially pushed back their ability to complete the project on time. This will impact the first few weeks of performances scheduled in the building.
Sweet Charity, the first season production scheduled to be performed in the newly renovated facility February 19 through March 9, unfortunately will be cancelled. The limited engagement shows,The McCartney Years (February 11) and the 5pm performance of Destination Motown (February 13), will also be cancelled; while three other limited engagement performances, Live at the Garden: The Music of Billy Joel (February 10), Top of the World: A Carpenters Tribute (February 12), and Destination Motown (7:30pm performance on February 13), will be rescheduled for a later date. Refunds will be available to patrons and ticket holders, but donating the value of the ticket to the Maltz Jupiter Theatre is also an option.
“As many can imagine, these cancellations are devastating for cultural not-for-profit organizations like ours, so donations are important as we continue to struggle through this shifting landscape,” said Andrew Kato, Producing Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. “As we cancel Sweet Charity and some of our limited engagement productions, we will be communicating with subscribers and individual ticket holders directly regarding their purchase.”
Despite the devastating news of having to cancel the first few shows scheduled to be performed in the newly renovated Theatre, the production, I Hate Hamlet, will still take place at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach Gardens, February 8-20. The Maltz Jupiter Theatre is immensely grateful to The Benjamin School for donating their well-appointed facilities to the organization in order to continue to support the local theatre community. In March, the Theatre looks forward to welcoming patrons back to the brand new building on Indiantown Road for the performance of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels taking place March 22 – April 10, as well as the remaining six limited engagement shows and two benefit concerts.
The Maltz Jupiter Theatre will take many precautions at upcoming performances to protect patrons, actors, and volunteers, including routine cleaning and disinfecting; the use of UV sanitizing wands; the vaccination of all staff, volunteers, cast and crew; multiple hands-free hand sanitizer stations; and the use of hands-free ticket scanning and digital programs. All guests aged 2 and over are required to wear a mask and guests aged 5 and over are required to present documentation (printed or digital) of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours prior to the performance date, OR a negative Covid-19 Antigen test result taken no more than 24 hours prior to the performance date. As an alternative to the test documentation, fully-vaccinated guests may present documentation (printed or digital) showing full vaccination status with their ID.
“Over the past few months we were excited to turn the corner but are now heartbroken to have to confront a new wave of challenges. But we understand we aren’t alone – we stand in solidarity with others in the entertainment industry and cannot wait for the grand return to our Theatre when the time is right,” remarked Mr. Kato. “Theatre has historically brought together a group of resourceful, creative thinkers who know how to pivot. The age-old saying, ‘The show must go on’ is in our DNA, and we are doing everything in our power to move forward in a careful, mindful, and responsible way.”
The not-for-profit Maltz Jupiter Theatre has become one of Florida’s preeminent professional theatres, committed to production and education through its collaborations with local and national artists. Currently the state’s largest award-winning regional theatre, the Theatre draws 100,000 people annually, has served a subscription base of more than 8,560 patrons and has world-class classroom facilities in support of its Goldner Conservatory, which serves local youth and adults in arts education. The Theatre is a member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres and has earned numerous Carbonell Awards, South Florida’s highest honor for artistic excellence, including the prestigious Bill Von Maurer Award for Theatrical Excellence. For more information about the Theatre’s upcoming productions, visit: www.jupitertheatre.org.
