The 2020 summer shows for Starlight Theatre have been postponed to next summer due to the pandemic and shelter in place orders. These shows include The Little Mermaid, DISASTER!, Dream Girls, Hello Dolly, and How I Became a Pirate.
Christopher Brady, the Managing Director of Starlight Theatre, released the following statement:
Dear Starlight Family,
As you are no doubt aware, the world is currently engaged in a lengthy battle to keep its citizens and communities safe; the effects of which have resonated to every avenue of the Earth’s stage. We here at the humble Starlight Theatre at Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL are no exception.
While planning to move forward to provide a season of adventure for our community, we have run through multiple scenarios, from a late start to online streaming. We’ve been preparing these scenarios in the hopes that the shelter at home ordinance from the Governor and the state’s health department would be lifted at the onset of May or even a touch later. As we have also previously stated, our community’s health is priority, which not only includes our patrons, but our volunteers, actors, crews, and employees. These factors have weighed exceptionally heavy on our souls.
Therefore, it is with a great deal of sadness that we announce the suspension of our 2020 season. The Little Mermaid, DISASTER!, Dream Girls, Hello Dolly, and How I Became a Pirate will all be presented in the summer of 2021.
While we are incredibly saddened to have to do this, we feel that this is the best course of action for the health of our community and the presentation of these extraordinary shows. We have ridiculous talent and some very important shows that were slated to play on our stage this year and they warrant audiences to experience them.
Now, while we may not be presenting a season of shows this summer, we’re not keeping our lights dim, either. We’re continuing the community and family together this year the best we can with a series of experiences that we are pursuing online we’re calling, “Starlight…Virtually”. That’s right, in the face of Corona we’re going to bring you Starlight talent and ideas right to your home. Stay tuned on that for more details.
Now, if you hold tickets to the season, let us first say, “we’re sorry.” We absolutely feel your pain. However, at this point you have several options:
Donate your tickets. Tax-deductible contributions are critical in helping us sustain operations during this crisis.
Transfer your tickets to next year’s season. Simple and Elegant. Your tickets for this year simply transfer to next’s. No action is required.Request a refund.
As you may guess, this decision not only subjects us to an emotional loss, but a financial one as well, so if you are able to donate your tickets or apply your tickets and donations to next year rather than request a refund, we would be most grateful. That said, please do what is best for you in this difficult time.We will contact you to make this happen, ticket holders. Our staff is currently working from home and we don’t have access to our box office at this time, so please be patient with us. All of these actions may take until June to make happen as long as the order lifts by then.
Furthermore, while we feel the pangs of a lost season deep on our souls, we take strength from the fact that we are not alone. True to the spirit of Community Theatre, we stand with the world, our country, the state of Illinois, and the 815 in an effort to keep all of our citizens, our community, safe and secure so that we will have many memorable seasons to come. Thank you for your understanding and love.
Yours,
Christopher D. Brady
From RVC Starlight Theatre Facebook Page
Managing Director
