Update March 31, 2020

Today Arizona Broadway Theatre (ABT) announced a second installment of their “Quarantined” Virtual After Dark Cabaret Series scheduled for Friday, April 3 at 7:30pm (PST). Episode II will stream LIVE on ABT’s Facebook page (@ArizonaBroadway) and feature ABT alumni from around the country – direct from the comforts of their own living rooms.

This past Friday, March 27 ABT had over 600+ Facebook viewers tune-in to their first Virtual After Dark Cabaret, which featured members of the cast of Chicago (currently on hiatus). The Cabaret received over 17K partial views through the weekend.

Due to the full-stop shut-down of ABT’s current programming as a response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the theatre will host a series of online Cabarets and other performance options over the coming weeks in an effort to stay connected with the community during this time of “self-quarantine” and “station-in-place” orders.

The Virtual After Dark Cabaret Series will feature ABT Alumni from previous shows performing some of their favorite musical theatre selections. To view, simply visit the ABT Facebook page (@ArizonaBroadway) and go to the top of the posts (news) feed.

The After Dark Cabaret series has been a long-standing favorite Friday night tradition since ABT’s very first season in 2006. A free event, the Cabarets usually fall on the second Friday of any given show’s run. Following the 7:30pm Friday show, audience members are invited to join ABT’s Associate Artist Director and Cabaret host Kurtis Overby along with members on the cast in the theatre’s lobby for a one-hour Cabaret featuring musical theatre hits and other selections.

On Friday, March 20 ABT announced all current programming was on an indefinite hold until which time the theatre is able to confidently chart a course forward toward a new horizon following the current COVID-19 Pandemic. ABT is asking the community for their support during this unforeseen financial crisis.

Presently, there are two immediate actions fans, patrons and supporters can take to shore-up ABT’s foundation as they begin to plan for the future:

1 – Make a tax deductible donation in any amount today! Donations will help assure that when this ends, and it will, ABT will be ready, able and financially positioned to provide the community with the quality productions and engagement they have come to expect over the past 15 years. Donations can be made at: https://tickets.azbroadwaytheatre.com/TheatreManager/1/login?donation=0

2 – Buy an ABT Gift Card online. Buying a Gift Card for oneself or a loved one is a great way of showing support for the future of ABT. Gift Cards are good for any future show, concert or subscription. Gift Cards can be purchased at: https://tickets.azbroadwaytheatre.com/TheatreManager/1/login?pass=0

Update March 30, 2020

Update March 23, 2020

ABT LAUNCHES MASK RELIEF EFFORT

ABT COMMUNITY – Calling all sewers and crafters! WE NEED YOU!

We are organizing a volunteer effort to provide aid for the immediate need of face masks for our healthcare workers – both locally and nationally. We have been in contact with a number of healthcare organizations directly in Washington, Colorado, New York and right here in Arizona that need our support.

The ABT Costume Shop, led by Costume Director & Resident Designer Lottie Dixon, will lead the charge by organizing this project.

Update March 19, 2020

To our ABT Family near and far,

As many of you know, in response to the most recent recommendation from the CDC and Arizona Governor Ducey’s office to restrict public gatherings of 10 or more, this past Monday we announced the cancellation and postponement of all current programming at ABT through March 31. This included all concerts, Sunday Brunch at The ENCORE, The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Chicago

Despite our best intentions, it is with a heavy heart I must announce that effective immediately all ABT programming is on an indefinite hold until which time we are able to confidently chart a course forward toward a new horizon following the current COVID-19 Pandemic.

Today at noon, I announced to the cast of Chicago that the current run has been postponed indefinitely; however, I also let them know it will be the very first show to make a triumphant return to ABT’s Mainstage when we emerge renewed from this current swell of uncertainty.

If you hold tickets to Chicago, there is no action needed. When new Chicago run dates are announced you will be contacted by a Patron Services Associate to reschedule. Because of reduced staffing, please do not call the Box Office. We will reach out to you. Thank you!

If you are unable to attend the rescheduled run of Chicago for any reason, we ask that you choose to donate the value of your canceled tickets to ABT. Your donation is vital in helping us weather these uncharted waters. To donate the value of your tickets, please email our Box Office at tickets@azbroadway.org.

The enormity of the impact on our present, and future remains unknown. Many of you have asked, “What can I do to help?” Thank you for asking! Here are three immediate actions you can take to shore-up ABT’s foundation as we plan for the future:

1)    If you are a current ABT “Broadway Series” 4-7 Flex subscriber, please renew your subscription today. Your renewal forms were sent out via US Mail on Wednesday, March 18. You can return your renewal forms the following ways:

• Email – please scan and email your renewal form to tickets@azbroadway.org
• FAX – please fax your renewal form to (623) 776-9974
• US MAIL – please mail your renewal form to 7701 W Paradise Ln. Peoria, AZ 85382

We are looking ahead to the next season and very excited to bring a whole new season of shows to the stage. By subscribing today, you are lending your support to our future – early – by helping stabilize our revenue – today.

2)    Buy an ABT Gift Card online. Buying a Gift Card for yourself or someone you love is a great way of showing your support for the future of ABT. Of course, you can use your Gift Card for any future show, or subscription. Buy online today at https://tickets.azbroadwaytheatre.com/TheatreManager/1/login?pass=0

3)    Make a tax deductible donation in any amount today. By choosing to make a donation you are assuring that when this ends, and it will, ABT will be ready and able to provide the community with the quality productions and engagement you have come to expect over the past 15 years. Please make a donation today at https://tickets.azbroadwaytheatre.com/TheatreManager/1/login?donation=0

Over this past week, I have been humbled, and at times left breathless, by the outpouring of support and encouragement from our extended community of patrons, donors, alumni and friends both locally and from across the country. In moments where I have struggled to find words, your words and expressions of understanding and commitment have lifted me up. I can not thank you enough – but Thank You!

Once we know more, you will be the first to know. I ask for your continued patience and understanding over the coming weeks. We are in this together, and we will get through this together.

As always, I look forward to seeing you at the theatre again soon. Be safe and stay healthy.

Kiel Klaphake
Executive Producer/CEO
Arizona Broadway Theatre

Update March 18, 2020

We understand this is an uncertain time and ask for your patience as we continue to work through the constant motion and information flow of the current environment.

Dear Arizona Broadway Theatre family,

After much conversation, consideration, and deliberation, at this time we find it most important to heed the recent recommendation from Governor Ducey’s office to protect the health and safety of our patrons, employees, and our community during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Effective immediately we are implementing the following changes to our current schedule:

Chicago – On hiatus through Tuesday, March 31 (new dates into May TBA)
La Cage aux Folles at Herberger Theater Center – Cancelled
Mirage: Visions of Fleetwood Mac – ABT Concert Series – Monday, March 16 – Cancelled
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – Postponed (future dates TBA)
Moody Blues – Go Now! – ABT Concert Series – Monday, March 23 – Cancelled
After Dark Cabaret – Friday, March 27 – Cancelled
Sunday Brunch at the Encore – Sunday, March 29 – Cancelled
Piano Men – Generations – ABT Concert Series – Monday, March 30 – Cancelled

We will continue to assess the fluidity of COVID-19 in our community and address the next steps on a day-to-day basis. ABT and Herberger Theater Center Box Offices will be in contact with patrons in the coming days to address cancellations and rescheduling.

This was a very difficult decision: weighing the importance of public health as a top priority, our financial viability, and the loyalty and commitment we feel toward our staff and patrons has been, quite simply, agonizing. While we’ve received several requests to halt all public performance, the overwhelming outpouring via phone, email, on our social platforms and at the Box Office has been to weather the storm and to stay open. Unfortunately, that is not possible at this time.

As a not-for-profit arts organization, the coming weeks and months will be the most challenging we’ve faced in our 15-year history (perhaps even greater than the financial crash of 2008). Because of this, we ask that you consider donating the cost of any canceled performance to ABT. Your donation is vital to our future as we see our way through this unprecedented time. To donate the value of your tickets, please email our Box Office at tickets@azbroadway.org.

If not making a donation there is no need to contact the Box Office. Your tickets will be automatically released, and a credit will go onto your account. This credit will never expire and can be applied to a future production.

If you have tickets to Chicago or 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, please let us reach out to you to discuss rescheduling options.

We ask for your understanding, but most importantly, your support as we navigate these uncharted waters.

I wish you and yours good health in the weeks to come.

Sincerely,

Kiel Klaphake, Executive Producer