On stage in a COVID-19 ‘bubble.’ Live theater cautiously returns at Pioneer Playhouse.
Imagine sipping on a lemonade in the summer breeze while soft jazz melodies waft and comingle with the smells of southern comfort food. As you’re finishing up your dessert, a bell rings announcing it’s time to head to your seats for a couple hours of side-splitting, forget-your-cares comedy under a canopy of stars and tree branches. At intermission, you can even grab a drink.
This may sound like a cruel tease of mouth-watering pre-COVID nostalgia, and it is, but for a brief time one specially equipped theater is making that experience possible.
Pioneer Playhouse, now in its 71st year, has one thing that most theaters do not--open sky and a permanent outdoor theater that can easily be adapted for social distancing.
Their production of the four person comedy, Maybe Baby, It’s You, runs from July 31 to August 15, and is the only live, in-person theater on the books in the region for the foreseeable future.
Staff of the storied, family-run theater wasn’t sure whether or not they would be able to produce any shows at all this season due to government restrictions, but when it became clear they might be able to produce at least one show, they decided it was worth it.
“It would’ve been easier to stay closed this summer for sure,” says Heather Henson, who runs the theater along with her brother Robby and mother Charlotte.
Henson says it’s not about the money. It’s about the positive social benefits for patrons.
“We do know it’s risky to open in terms of finances, but the Henson family does feel strongly about continuing to bring a meaningful arts experience to our community and to our state in a time of great uncertainty,” says Henson. “My family has been doing this for 71 years, and we believe in the power of art to bring people together, even if just for a little while. “
In order to continue their family’s long term mission, the Hensons were committed to making sure the experience could be safe.
“Robby and I have worked hard to make sure Pioneer Playhouse is a safe place to see a show during Covid-19,” says Henson. “Early on we submitted a reopening plan to the Governor’s office detailing what we would do to keep patrons safe, like limiting our seating and spacing out rows so that audience members can maintain a good distance. Being an outdoor theatre, we felt we were uniquely prepared to be able to open and provide live performances while still maintaining Covid-19 precautions. Still, we were relieved to get the okay from the Governor’s office. Our patrons -- and our company -- become like family to us, so we would never want to put anyone’s health in jeopardy.”
Reducing the 400-capacity theater space to 190 to accommodate for social distancing is only the beginning of the safety precautions the staff is taking on behalf of its patrons.
The dinner portion of the evening has been changed to feature table service instead of a buffet and patrons must choose between two dinner options in advance when ordering tickets. Patrons should only send one person from their group to the box office to collect tickets.
Henson’s mother, Charlotte, 89, will continue her tradition of serenading diners throughout the dinner portions of the show, with Heather’s brother Eben Henson’s band, Blue Groove, providing light jazz entertainment on opening night. Patrons must stay six feet away from all performers, who will be wearing a mask when they are not on stage.
One tradition that will not continue is the option of moving the show indoors in case of rain. Henson says that if a show must be canceled, the theater will offer rain checks, but she encourages patrons to bring an umbrella as the show will go on if the rain is light.
The skeleton crew of staff will wear masks at all times except for the actors on stage, who will be performing on stage at a safe distance from the audience. Extra outdoor seating area will be made available for even more safe seating options.
All staff have been tested for COVID and will be tested again.
Henson says the four person limit made it easier for cast members to be in the same “bubble.”
“We are very protective of our actors,” says Henson.
Those actors, like six year veteran Erika Lee Sengstack, are grateful for the work.
“Almost no one in the industry is working right now,” says Sengstack, “so I just feel incredibly lucky.”
“We are having a blast with this show, as it resembles Saturday Night Live sketch comedy,” says Sengstack. “It’s loaded with punch lines, song and dance, and kooky over-the-top characters.
Sengstack and Henson agree that the show’s comedy is a welcome respite for patrons and staff alike.
“The show we are doing is light and funny, and will make patrons laugh--exactly what is needed right now,” says Henson.
“We’ve all been locked in our houses so long, I’m hoping the audience will feel as liberated and joyful as we’ve felt in the creation of it,” says Sengstack.
Maybe Baby, It’s You
What: Socially Distant Outdoor Dinner Theater
When: July 31 – August 15, Dinner & Show – 7:30pm, Show Only – 8:30pm
Where: Pioneer Playhouse, Danville
Tickets: Adult $20, Adult Dinner+Show Ticket: $35; Child (12 & under), $12, Child Dinner+Show Ticket: $19
Online: pioneerplayhouse.com
Phone: 859-236-2747
Special COVID Guidelines
▪ Masks must be worn at all times except when seated for dinner or show.
▪ Six feet of social distance required in all lines (for tickets, concessions, bathrooms, etc.).
▪ Only one person per party at the box office at a time.
▪ Dinner choice must be made at time of reservation.
▪ Bring umbrella in case of light rain