From unexpected storms and fires to sudden illnesses and tragic deaths, producers of live theater have faced and responded to numerous crises over the past several decades. Sure, they may have had to temporarily pause performances for a day or two, immediately recast a role, or cancel the remaining run of a show. But not since the early 20th century have producers faced a major pandemic, especially one that shut down much of the world for a year and a half. So not only could their shows not go on, entire seasons had to be scrapped and theaters had to lock their doors as COVID-19 raced across the country.
In response – and to keep connected to their audience base – some producers offered theater-starved patrons fresh content via video. Others eventually moved outdoors with socially distanced performances. But now, as many companies throughout Metro Detroit begin announcing their seasons (all the while keeping their fingers crossed they’ll actually happen), one brave community theater, The Village Players of Birmingham, is among the first (if not the first) to unlock its doors, dust off the stage and invite patrons back into its performance space.
It was not an easy decision to make.
“It required several meetings of the Safety Committee, their recommendations to both the artistic and business boards, and approval of the boards to proceed with the upcoming slate of shows,” explained Stephen Sussman, the Players’ artistic board president. “There were several months of meetings and planning before proceeding.”The Safety Committee, Sussman said, consisted of the troupe’s house and grounds chairperson, various long-time members, a doctor, a nurse (also members) and Sussman, an architect who is familiar with all aspects of the physical plant. “Using guidelines established by the CDC and State of Michigan, we decided it was safe and appropriate to start to have indoor live performances.”
Business as usual would not be the case, however. The first row of seating was removed, for example, to create more physical space between the stage and audience seating. But that’s not all. “(The) cast and crew are required to be vaccinated and show proof of vaccination,” Sussman explained. “When offstage, cast members are encouraged to wear masks. All audience members are urged to wear masks when in the playhouse. There is no gathering inside during intermissions and after performances for the audience to greet cast members; that is done outdoors. And we are suspending all afterglows for the time being.”
The Village Players tested the waters last month with a production of the musical “Godspell” that ran for one weekend only. Although one might think it would have been difficult to cast thanks to COVID-related hesitancy, Sussman said that wasn’t a significant factor. The real challenge was to find cast members who were able to rehearse and perform during the summer. “This is always a challenging time to find actors and participants due to vacations, travel, and other summer activities.”
There was a minor concern, however, with the vaccination requirement during auditions that was addressed. “The result was a fabulous show that was of high quality and that the audiences absolutely loved,” he said. “(Patrons) were thrilled to have live performances back.”
Sussman was also pleased with the box office numbers. “Ticket sales were surprisingly good for a summer show that ran for only one weekend - Thursday through Sunday - and was not part of the original slate. And since this was an additional show to welcome our members and patrons back, we consider it a huge success.”
Also successful were the new COVID protocols. “I’d guess we had about 98 to 99% compliance,” Sussman continued. “Almost everyone wore a mask during the show and were very cooperative. There were a few people – very few – who resisted wearing a mask. They claimed they were vaccinated, however. I presume those that weren’t comfortable simply didn’t attend. So short of having an actual mandate, I think we are comfortable with the policies we have currently in place.”
After such promising results with “Godspell,” The Village Players now turns its focus on its next show, which will be the first to run a traditional, multi-week schedule since the theatre shut down mid-run in March 2020 because of state-mandated COVID restrictions. And if the title rings a bell, it should.
“Shakespeare in Love” was the production shuttered after only three performances, and its return this month makes total sense to Sussman. “It is a fantastic show, and since the set was still in place and the majority of the actors were even now interested in performing it again, it was an easy decision to start the season with this restaging,” he said.
A few actors needed to be replaced, however. Not because of COVID concerns, but due to moving away or scheduling conflicts. “No one that was available refused to participate.”
For director Holly Hellsten Conroy, neither wild horses nor a mutating virus could keep her from returning to the show. “‘Shakespeare In Love’ is my baby,” she explained. “I’d worked on it for more than two years prior to that first production. So much of my heart is in this project; there was no way I’d drop the ball. Beyond my own love of the show, the enthusiasm of our cast and crew to return to the stage sealed the deal.”
And with safety protocols in place, Conroy said she feels safe. “Any hesitancy I might have felt disappeared once I received my second vaccination.”
Because the world has radically changed, so too has the working environment. Rehearsals and performances are now part of an experimental brave new world to which actors and audiences alike will have to adjust and make allowances. “Although our actors will not be wearing masks onstage during performances, we’ve allowed them to wear masks during rehearsals for their own comfort,” Conroy said. “Obviously, with part of the face covered, I’m apt to be directing what I hope is there. Fortunately, the two principal characters in our production are played by a very talented married couple – Ashley and Patrick Lane – who have no need of masks.”
Actress Lane, who plays Viola, had few qualms about returning to the show. “I have the same nerves that I am sure many have when jumping back into group activities,” she said. “It feels strange to be in groups and close to people again, when for so long we held back from those activities. However, after the initial nerves, I have felt very comfortable and grateful for the experience!”
Why? “(Both the production team and the Safety Committee) are constantly updating and changing the policies to ensure that we are following the state’s guidelines and recommendations in real time. There are physicians as part of the safety committee who have firsthand experience and knowledge of COVID, so that helps make me feel very well taken care of in this setting.”
But what happens when audiences enter the mix? “There is always the slight fear that the more people you encounter, the greater the risks are, but again, I feel very confident in the producers and the safety committee to ensure that everyone is being informed and taken care of in every way possible,” Lane said.
Similar reactions are found among the tech crew. “I was never hesitant to get involved,” said props mistress Suzie Skibicki. “I was part of our production before we were shut down by Covid last year and was thrilled to be able to return to my post for a full run of the show. I am eager for our patrons to share a live theater production with us,” she said.
So too is Ashley Lane. “We need theater!” she exclaimed. “I think the world needs art and human stories now more than ever. We need to come together and remember that at our core, we are all the same. We laugh, we cry, we are all human! There is a lot of division in the world, and I believe that theater unites us. So I hope that this production can bring a little bit of unity to our corner of the world right now.”
But that’s not all. “Our industry has been hit in a devastating way from COVID, as many industries have been, and I feel as an artist it is my job to bring stories back to our audiences, in a safe way of course. Especially in such times of uncertainty and anxiety, sharing the human experience through a play is extremely healing.”
But will audiences show up? “I am concerned that patrons will fear attending an indoor event and we might have small audiences,” director Conroy said. “It’s such a splendid show and everyone has worked so hard on it, it deserves sold-out performances.”
Patrons will be asked to wear masks, even if they’re vaccinated, although the theater won’t police it, Conroy noted.
And if they do show up, what will patrons be treated to? A romantic comedy, according to board president Sussman, that’s even funnier than the Oscar-winning motion picture it’s based upon. “We have a wonderfully talented cast, and there are beautiful period costumes, live Renaissance music and dancing, sword-fights and even a dog!”
In other words, there’s pretty much something for everyone in The Village Players’ production of “Shakespeare in Love.”
And who couldn’t use a good laugh these days?
The Village Players of Birmingham
34660 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham
Sept. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, and 25 at 8 p.m.
Sept. 12, 19, and 26 at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $20 (plus a $1 processing fee for each ticket order)
Purchase online at www.birminghamvillageplayers.com or by calling the theater box office at 248-644-2075.
Note: Anyone with questions regarding the Players’ COVID policy can find the most up-to-date information on its website at www.birminghamvillageplayers.com.
Above photo caption: Romantic sparks fly on and off the stage as married couple Ashley and Patrick Lane star in "Shakespeare in Love." Photo: Joseph Lease
About The Village Players:
The Village Players of Birmingham, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit community theater, presents high quality dramatic, comedic, and musical productions. Everyone is invited to participate on stage, backstage or as an audience member in the theater's main stage, youth theater, and Playwrights at Work productions and programs. The Village Players have been entertaining the community from its location at 34660 Woodward Avenue in Birmingham since 1926.