In the latest coronavirus-related shocker, Dallas Summer Musicals suspends 'Come from Away' - The Dallas Morning News

Officials for Dallas Summer Musicals said earlier Thursday that the show would go on, meaning the run through March 22 of the smash-hit Broadway musical, Come from Away. But the announcement by Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins a few hours later that the county was banning gatherings of more than 500 people rewrote the script.

Granted, it came late in the day, but it was the latest bit of shocking news to engulf the Dallas arts world on Thursday. The Dallas Art Fair announced that its 12th annual fair, scheduled for early April, was being postponed until October. And almost in the same breath, the Nasher Sculpture announced that it was delaying the official ceremony of awarding the Nasher Prize until November.

The county saved its news for local 10 p.m. newscasts, which seemed to catch everyone by surprise.

At its official opening Wednesday night, Come from Away drew an enthusiastic crowd of more than 2,400 to a venue whose capacity is 3,420. Come from Away was arguably the second-biggest hit on the comeback trail of Dallas Summer Musicals, which one-upped the AT&T Performing Arts Center when it landed the mega-hit Hamilton in 2019.

Dallas Summer Musicals posted the news on Twitter and Facebook just after 11 p.m. Thursday, noting:

“DSM is aware of the Dallas County ban on large public gatherings. We will of course comply. Further details will be provided tomorrow.”

DSM promised to make more information available by 11 am. Friday. The county order would appear to affect at least 10 more performances, assuming the ban is lifted after March 20. The latest performance was Thursday night, with DSM officials hearing the news right after the show ended.

DSM is aware of the Dallas County ban on large public gatherings. We will of course comply. Further details will be provided tomorrow.

— DallasSummerMusicals (@dsmusicals) March 13, 2020

Shortly before 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Ken Novice, the president of Dallas Summer Musicals, shared this statement in the wake of DSM being surrounded by postponements and cancellations nationwide:

"Dallas Summer Musicals will follow all recommendations made by local, state or federal health officials, including cancelling performances, should that become necessary due to the spread of COVID-19. We are firmly committed to the health and safety of our staff, patrons and performers. At this time, all performances will happen as scheduled. If there is any change, we will notify all ticket buyers by email or phone, and through updates at DallasSummerMusicals.org and our Facebook page.

“In the meantime," the statement continued, “we are taking the following precautions for your health and comfort: Sanitizing stations are available throughout the venue, including the ticket office, bathrooms and concession areas. Facilities operations staff are continuously disinfecting commonly touched surfaces such as doors, railings, handles and elevator keypads. Ensuring all employees are trained in vigilant personal washing and cleaning protocols. Closely monitoring the health of our staff and enforcing any and all to stay home and not come to work even with the slightest of symptoms.”

But then came the news from the county.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson declared a state of emergency after county officials issued the order to ban large public gatherings for at least the next week. The ban will begin at 11 a.m. Friday and continue until March 20, during which public gatherings — whether inside or outdoors — of more than 500 people are prohibited anywhere in the county, County Judge Clay Jenkins said Thursday night. Gatherings of more than 250 people, he said, should be canceled or rescheduled.

Jenkins did cite exceptions, listing schools, office towers, sports and movie theaters. No word on why sporting events or movie theaters would get a pass on seating more than 500 people, but we may hear more by Friday afternoon.

The news came as the county reported five more cases of COVID-19. One of the patients had no recent travel history, making it a possible case of community spread.

“I know Dallas County is up to the challenge,” Jenkins said. “Use your brains, as we’re all very good at doing in this community. … I want everyone to soberly consider and take responsibility for your life decisions."

The North American tour of the Broadway musical 'Come From Away' has been temporarily shelved at the Music Hall at Fair Park after an order by the county late Thursday night banning gatherings of 500 or more people. (Matthew Murphy)

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