NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF ORILLIA
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Like many theatres and performance spaces across the country, the City of Orillia has made the difficult decision to postpone all events at the Orillia Opera House this spring and summer.
“The Orillia Opera House, a busy year-round performance hub, is an iconic symbol of Orillia’s incredible culture scene. While it is extremely disappointing that the show won’t go on this summer season, our priority continues to be the health and safety of our community and the staff and volunteers of the Opera House,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “We look forward to the time when conditions allow us to welcome our community and visitors back to the theatre.”
Postponements include all bookings and shows until Aug. 31, 2020. The Opera House’s popular professional summer theatre season, which enjoys a large audience and tours across Ontario, will return in 2021. Clients and patrons will be contacted directly in the coming months to discuss their options. With this year’s summer theatre returning next year, customers can chose to transfer their Flex Pac to 2021 in lieu of a refund.
While the theatre is closed to the public, the historic building is being maintained and staff are making plans for the future.
“We anticipate that there will be many changes that must take place to accommodate reopening and we will be following best practices within the industry for the health and safety of everyone coming through our doors,” said Wendy Fairbairn, General Manager of the Orillia Opera House. “In the meantime, we are currently planning our first event – a new Norm Foster comedy. We can’t say exactly when this will take place, but it is first on our list to help us all get back to laughter again.”
The City’s Emergency Management Committee continues to monitor and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in Orillia and will evaluate the reopening of the Orillia Opera House in conjunction with public health advice and provincial guidelines when appropriate.
For information on ticketing at the Orillia Opera House, visit orilliaoperahouse.ca or call the Box Office at 705-326-8011.
For more information the City’s response to COVID-19, visit: orillia.ca/COVID-19
For COVID-19 updates from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit visit: http://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Promos/Novel-Coronavirus
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