(Okoboji)– A longstanding attraction in the Iowa Great Lakes will be silent this summer due to COVID-19 concerns. RuthAnn Burke of the Okoboji Summer Theatre announced today (Thursday) they’re canceling the entire upcoming season of productions…
“The COVID-19 situation is fluid, unpredictable and unsafe, and so for the health and well being of students, patrons, our faculty and guest artists, because of this pandemic we just needed to take the responsible choice and make this call. So we are offering alternatives to our students that can keep them on track to graduate and other students might elect to join us next summer. So that’s kind of where we’re at today. We just wanted to let the community know and we’re just beyond sad to not be up there for the summer.”
Burke says this is the first time in the history of Okoboji Summer Theatre they’ve had to do something like this…
“This would have been season 63, so we’re affectionately calling next summer 63 point two. All of the things that have happened since 1958, it’s just surreal that the pandemic that we’re experiencing has brought us to this moment, of all the other things that have happened in our world with recessions and wars and all of those things. This has taken us down to our knees. We are not the only ones. Most summer theatres have already made the decision and of course many other businesses are making that decision. But it’s unpredictable and that is what led us to this. We needed to make a decision on behalf of our artists and students so that’s where we arrived at this conclusion.”
Burke says they realize there will be a lot of very disappointed people by the decision, but she says they had few options…
“We know the community was very excited about this summer and the selection of shows we were ready to produce and we just want to thank everybody. They’ve been lovely to us. We had a wonderful summer last year and were just getting ready to do it all over again. Just know we’ll be back and want to thank everyone for their continued support.”
Burke says they’ll be reaching out soon to season ticket holders and those who have tickets on order. She says they WILL be able to shift tickets and voucher booklets to next summer, as well as honor gift certificates.
