Sellersville Theater to reopen
Live shows returning to regional venue
SELLERSVILLE » Under the new guidelines issued by the state earlier this month for gathering size limits within coronavirus restrictions, in-person audiences will be returning for the first time since March to the Sellersville Theater.
Under the guidelines, seating in the theater is limited to 20 percent of capacity.
“For us, that’s about 68 to 70 people, but we have to include our staff as well, so we’ll be selling tickets to shows at a capacity of 65 ticketholders,” said Elayne Brick, who, with husband William Quigley, owns and operates the theater.
The first of the shows to which the live audiences will be allowed will be the Nov. 14 Joe Conklin performance.
Conklin will be performing two shows that night, with one at 6 p.m. and the second at 9 p.m., the first of which was already sold out, Brick said a month before the show.
Tickets can also be purchased to view a livestream of the show,
she said.
The schedule of shows and other information, including safety measures for the return of audiences to the theater, are posted on the st94.com website and the theater’s social media.
The safety measures include plexiglas dividers, disinfecting, social distancing and face masks required at all times except if an audience member is eating or drinking food or beverages. The staff is required to wear masks at all times. Performers must wear a mask when not on stage. The staff and
performers also will have temperature checks and answer COVID questionnaires when arriving at the theater.
“We wanted to make sure that we’re presenting live music for people who hunger for it, us included, but we’re not spreading any virus,” Brick said.
“We want people to know that we can finally present live music and we’re hoping that we can continue to do that,” she said, “and that over time the governor will allow a little bit higher percentage in the venues so that we can keep on moving forward while keeping people safe.”
While there haven’t been in-person shows at the the
ater during the pandemic, there have been Soundbooth Sessions livestreams, which will continue, but will be moved to a different day and time, Brick said.
“They’re not a full live concert, but they’re really interesting,” she said. “Dan [Faga], our technical director, does a lot of research and does a nice interview, interspersed with music from the artist.”
There is no set fee for people to watch the Soundbooth Sessions, but viewers are asked to make a contribution, which benefits both the performer and the theater
Most of the Soundbooth Sessions have been done at the theater, although there
were also some in which the performer appeared from their home, Brick said.
Restaurant seating, including at the neighboring Washington House, which is also owned by Brick and Quigley, is currently restricted to 50 percent of capacity for indoor seating. Outdoor seating is also available.
With the dining tables socially distanced, the actual amount of diners is less than 50 percent of capacity, Brick said.
“We’re doing our very best to keep people safe in the restaurant and the hotel,” .she said. “People should feel comfortable eating either outside or in our heated tent or in the dining room.”