“Drowsy Chaperone” performances shut down due to Covid outbreak

On Tuesday, the Leawood Stage Co. announced it would be cancelling the remainder of the performances of The Drowsy Chaperone. The production opened last Friday, April 22, at Avila’s Black Box Stage at the Goppert Theater, but only after a one-night delay also due to Covid. The performances proceeded through the weekend without the performer who tested positive. Leawood Stage Co. owner. April Bishop said they would be testing the cast and staff daily for Covid and asked that audience members wear masks during the performances.

“The board of directors just came to the challenging decision to close the production,” Bishop announced in an email. “The number of cast and staff members with Covid continues to rise.  The safety of our cast, staff, musicians and audience members is our priority.”

The performance had been planned prior to the pandemic outbreak in 2020, and was postponed due to the pandemic shutdown.

“After weeks of rehearsals for this outstanding cast and group of musicians plus the hours spent in set construction, it is disappointing to see all of that work not be rewarded with the applause from an audience,” stated Bishop. “Those that saw the one and only performance, gave The Drowsy Chaperone exceptional reviews.”

“It’s heartbreaking to shut down this wonderful production, but this is the responsible decision.”