Omicron and a Health Order put North Bay theatre on pause (again)

North Bay theatre came back with a vengeance in mid-2021 when restrictions were lifted and theaters could once more welcome audiences inside. Almost every theatre company in the region returned to live production with solo shows, comedies, and the occasional musical.

The New Year brought news of Omicron, a more contagious variant of the coronavirus, and an explosion of new cases.  Some theatre companies found it difficult to proceed with rehearsals after positive COVID test results were reported by cast and crew members. Other companies found it challenging to open with the Sonoma County Health Officer’s order restricting large indoor gatherings.

Consequently, live theatre finds itself once more scrambling. These are the shows originally scheduled to open from mid-January through early February that have moved their opening dates and/or adjusted their runs:

Amy and the Orphans – Cinnabar Theater – Petaluma – The opening of this poignant comedy about siblings reuniting after the funeral of their father is delayed till Feb. 11.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abr.) – Raven Players – Healdsburg – The Raven’s remount of this irreverent, amusing summary of all Shakespeare’s works now runs Feb. 11 – 20.

Either – Left Edge Theatre – Santa Rosa – The U.S. premiere of Ruby Thomas’s new play about relationships is now scheduled for Feb. 11 – 20.

The Glass Menagerie – Main Stage West – Sebastopol – The Tennessee Williams classic will now run Feb. 11 – Feb. 25.

Hair – 6^th Street Playhouse – Santa Rosa – The self-proclaimed American Tribal Love-Rock Musical has had its opening rescheduled for Feb. 12.

The Legend of Georgia McBride – 6^th Street Playhouse – Santa Rosa – This homage to the drag queens who mentored the playwright through his own coming out is now scheduled for Feb. 17 – Mar. 20.

Master Class – Sonoma Arts Live – Sonoma – Diva Maria Callas will be left waiting till Feb. 11 – 27

The Music Man – Spreckels Theatre Company – Rohnert Park – The quintessential all-American musical has been postponed till the Fall of ’22.

Pass Over – Marin Theatre Company – opening moved to Feb. 2

Sherlock Holmes and The Case of the Jersey Lily – Ross Valley Players – Ross – The case won’t be opened till Feb. 4.

The Who’s Tommy – Novato Theater Company – Novato – “We’re Not Gonna Take It” may be this show’s motto after experiencing its second postponement, having closed after a single preview performance in March ’20. The new opening date is TBD.

All these dates are (of course) subject to change. Check each company’s website for the latest information.

This article originally appeared in an edited version in the North Bay Bohemian and Pacific Sun.