Music lovers, social butterflies and homebodies rejoice — we are one step closer to having in-person performances again! Though stages are dim, curtains are drawn down and movie theaters stopped popping popcorn, companies are still pushing forward to give audiences the best experience at a safe distance. This includes streaming and updates on social media, outside venues and facetime events as well as classes. Despite living in the new normal, companies have found a way to keep optimistic, and with newfound followers — nationally and internationally — they will be able to showcase more performances and events virtually and even physically later on.
Many major companies, such as Broadway and the Metropolitan Opera, have been posting updates on their website, offering streaming services and an inside look at what’s been going on behind the scenes — or in this case, at home with the talents. Aside from these companies, local companies such as the Tulsa Symphony, Tulsa Signature Symphony and Tulsa Opera have found a more upbeat conventional way of sharing music by having their upcoming productions performed on ONEOK Field. Tulsa’s historic Circle Cinema has kept the public updated with recent changes due to the current events; nevertheless, it hasn’t stopped them from showing art house movies on their website until the pandemic resides.
Broadway is anticipating lighting their stage again in early 2021 with an interesting line up consisting of new and familiar shows. According to Playbill’s website, here is a list of musicals and plays for spring 2021, where each one will be performed as expected opening night:
“Trouble in Mind”- Expected first preview in winter 2021 at the American Airlines Theater
“The Minutes”- Mar. 15 at the Cort Theater
“MJ”- Apr. 15 at the Neil Simon Theater
“Plaza Suite”- Apr. 13 at the Hudson Theater
“American Buffalo”- Apr. 14 at the Circle in the Square Theater
“Take Me Out”- Apr. 22 at the Helen Hayes Theater
“The Music Man”- May 20 at the Winter Garden Theater
These are the following productions that are anticipated for spring 2021:
“1776” at the American Airlines Theater
“Caroline, or Change” at Studio 54
“Flying Over Sunset” at the Vivian Beaumont Theater
The Metropolitan Opera has been going strong with posting weekly lineups of operas ranging from Puccini to Wagner to Britt. Here is a list of upcoming performances on their official website:
Week of Sept. 14, the theme is “Bel Canto Favorites”
Mon. “Don Pasquale” by Gaetano Donizetti
Tues. “Le Comte Ory” by Gioachino Rossini
Wed. “La Fille du Regimént” by Gaetano Donizetti
Thurs. “La Cerentola” by Gioachino Rossini
Fri. “I Puritani”- Vincenzo Bellini
Local companies here in Tulsa have made an effort to reconnect with the public again. Here are a few upcoming performances:
Tulsa Signature Symphony – Beethoven’s 5th Symphony as the highlight piece on Sat. Sept. 19 at ONEOK Field
Tulsa Symphony – Triple Play: Brahms 4 on Sun. Oct.18 at ONEOK Field
Tulsa Opera – Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto on Fri. Oct.9 at ONEOK Field
It doesn’t matter how long it takes; the show will go on somehow, someway, even if it means watching them next year in theaters or on a laptop.
