BADDECK, N.S. — The curtain will not go up on Theatre Baddeck this season, with the decision to postpone it to 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision was announced by the mother-daughter artistic producer team of Christy MacRae-Ziss and Hannah Ziss, and the Theatre Baddeck board of directors, citing ongoing health and safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and government restrictions on public gatherings.
“It was certainly in the offing for some weeks, so it was tough to finally rip off the Band-Aid, as it were, on a season that we start working on in September of the previous year,” Ziss said. “It’s always difficult to put something on hold that has been so consuming for so many months.”
In making the decision, they noted that theatre relies on gathering groups in close proximity – both to prepare a theatrical production and to present it – and therefore they couldn’t proceed with a season at this time.
The four productions slated for 2020 – “Outside Mullingar”; “He’d Be Your Mother’s Father’s Cousin”; “Lauchie, Liza and Rory”; and “Where You Are” – have been rescheduled for June 24- October 3, 2021. A detailed performance schedule will be released in the new year. Season passes are on sale now and single tickets will go on sale next year.
“We were very excited about this season and all of the shows that we were producing and we’re already looking forward to presenting them next year,” Ziss said.
Theatre Baddeck began in 2015. Last year, the audience was up 24 per cent from the prior season, with a number of sell-out performances. Ziss noted its budget is growing annually and its production, “He’d Be Your Mother’s Father’s Cousin,” received two Merritt Award nominations. There was also a sellout fundraiser held in Baddeck in March.
“After a record-breaking 2019, we planned our biggest season yet for 2020,” MacRae-Ziss said. “We can’t understate how devastating it is to have to put it on hold.”
“We definitely feel we are on the cusp of some really great growth,” Ziss said.
She added they’ve received sweet messages from supporters since word of the postponement got out and they believe the support will be there when they return next year.
“It’s great to feel that there’s a real need for our product in our community,” Ziss said.
Ziss said there will be announcements forthcoming over the next few months about how they intend to continue to connect with patrons.
“It’s a project that will mean that we are still connecting with our audience and providing that we think they’ll enjoy,” Ziss said.
Ziss said most 2020 season pass holders have opted for passes for 2021 rather than asking for refunds.
Those who had purchased tickets for the 2020 season will be contacted by email. If patrons wish to contact the box office to discuss their options, call 902-412-7122 or email [email protected].
Theatre Baddeck is a non-profit professional theatre company.
