With cases of the highly contagious omicron COVID variant increasing throughout the DC metro area, including groundbreaking cases among the fully vaccinated cast, Dominion Stage has decided to reschedule its production of the Stone Age musical. Fire carrier later in 2022 if conditions permit. The show was originally scheduled to open on January 21, 2022.
“Those [breakthrough cases] occurred at a critical time in our rehearsal schedule… a few weeks before opening night, ”says Fire carrier director Michael Page. “Some actors are recovering, and with the omicron variant being so easy to catch, the chances of others catching it are extremely high. Better to postpone the show than to run it without enough rehearsals or having to cancel performances. . “
Fire carrier was to be Dominion’s first musical production since Bloody, bloody Andrew Jackson in early 2020, just a few weeks before the first wave of COVID shut down production around the world. As live theater has started to return, the new omicron variant is wreaking havoc with the castings of current productions. “In many professional companies, understudies can come in when an actor in a key role cannot play,” says Matthew Randall, president of Dominion Stage. “But liners are rare in community theater productions and Fire carrier is no exception. Director Page adds, “It’s also a show where each actor plays a named character who carries a part of the story. There aren’t any parts of the ensemble where someone could potentially play a bigger role.
Dominion Stage has successfully staged two productions so far in their 72nd season. For The bluest eye in August and Five women wearing the same dress in November, the company followed a strict COVID protocol, requiring proof of vaccination for actors as well as transparent face shields worn during rehearsals and performances. Masks were required for the public, crew and reception staff. Both productions were well attended, no case of COVID has been reported by anyone associated with it. Starting with Fire carrier, proof of vaccination should also be required from the public, which many theater companies – professional and community – have instituted as an additional layer of security.
“It’s incredibly frustrating that COVID continues to be a factor within weeks of opening,” Page said. “The rehearsals were great, the sets are almost finished, we were off to a good start. At least with a postponement, everyone’s hard work will still have a chance to be seen. “
Dominion Stage offers refunds for Fire carrier tickets already purchased and will reopen sales for the new performance dates once determined. For more information and for updates on the Fire carrier schedule, appointment on the Dominion stage website.
