Two live stage shows close over coronavirus infection fears
Oakland Theater, Chanticleers site safety concerns as delta variant poses new threat
A world premiere solo stage show about civil rights icon Malcolm X and a classic 1951 play about a marriage — both live East Bay productions — have called off performances amid COVID-19 concerns.
Oakland Theater Project, which has been presenting live outdoor performances since March, announced this week the cancellation of “The Dream Life of Malcolm X,” a solo show written by John Wilkens and starring William Hodgson. The show was at first delayed,
then canceled “because we have just experienced a COVID-19 exposure and breakthrough infection in the workplace from someone who was fully vaccinated,” said Colin Mandlin, managing director and
co-founder of the Oaklandbased company.
Meanwhile, Chanticleers Theatre in Castro Valley has ceased live indoor performances of “The Four Poster,” a twoperson play, “due to the dramatic increase in COVID cases,” the company said on its Facebook page. The show, which was set to run through Aug. 8, is still available via streaming, and those who buy tickets to a live performance will be refunded, the announcement said.
The moves come as theater troupes and other arts companies around the Bay Area are preparing for their new seasons. The rise in recent weeks of COVID-19’s delta variant has added an unwelcome dose of uncertainty to the reopening of indoor entertainment venues and restaurants.
Many theaters, clubs and eateries are requiring patrons to present proof they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have tested negative for the virus in the recent past, or don masks while inside. Some indoor venues are requiring masks with or without proof of vaccination.
Patrons to any venue are advised to check the facility’s website for safety requirements before going.
Oakland Theater Project had been presenting outdoor live shows, drivein style, in the parking lot of its headquarters at Oakland’s FLAX Building on Martin Luther King Jr. Way. For “Malcolm X,” the theater was planning to pivot to a seated outdoor production at the same address. It was not explained how a vaccinated person introduced a COVID-19 threat into the company. But reports have surfaced about vaccinated persons being able to transmit the new delta variant.
“Dream Life” is a oneperson show that, according to company, “explores how the unique personal experiences in Malcolm X’s life and his relationship to loved ones helped him construct a searing and prophetic vision of revolution that continues to play itself out today.” The company plans to present the show at another time.
Mandlin said Oakland Theater Project will continue to monitor COVID safety guidelines from local, state and federal officials while preparing for its next production, the musical “Ghost Quartet,” set to open in September. More information is at oaklandtheaterproject.org.
“The Four Poster” is a comedy-drama by Jan de Hartog that follows a couple through 35 years of marriage. It stars Roger Caetano and Rhonda Joy Taylor, a real-life married couple. Streaming tickets are $20; contact chanticleers.org.