Community Theater Nightmare

Lucky to be out of it just now:

A Nebraska community theatre decided to go on with their summer production of ‘Mamma Mia’ despite the current health crisis and now more than 20 of the show’s cast and crew have tested positive for COVID-19.

According to local news, of the 38 total cast members tested, 63.2% are positive. Nine of the 24 positive cases are teenage members of the cast.

North Platte Community Playhouse finished its run of the ABBA jukebox musical on Aug 2nd. Local news reported the positive tests among the cast just days later. The outbreak has now shut down the playhouse and theater until February 1, 2021.

It’s unknown how exactly the cast and crew contracted the coronavirus but it should be noted that despite being socially distanced, audiences were not required to wear protective masks during performances.

"One of the things that we're saying as directors is to hopefully have people keep that six-foot distance away. If they feel comfortable wearing those masks, we want them to be wearing masks if they feel inclined to," said director Tyler Cronin told local news.