Due to increased restrictions on entertainment venues in Indianapolis due to COVID-19, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre will take an unprecedented second intermission this season, starting Aug. 10.
Since reopening in July after postponing shows due to the pandemic, Beef & Boards has worked diligently to make entertainment in its venue as safe as possible with its comprehensive responsible reopening plan that included plated meals, reduced audience sizes, spaced seating of parties, germicidal lighting in all air handlers and mask requirements for all. However, with Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s restricted audience size reduced to 25 percent, it is simply not sustainable to continue productions at this time. The theater’s plan is to reopen in the fall.
“It breaks my heart to take this ‘time out’,” stated Doug Stark, owner of Beef & Boards. “However, for the safety of the Beef & Boards Family and their guests, it’s the grownup thing to do. Please stay happy and healthy, and we sincerely hope we can play again in the fall.”
Beef & Boards had already announced that the bluegrass gospel comedy “Smoke on the Mountain” would replace the scheduled production of “Disney’s Newsies.”
“Smoke on the Mountain” was slated to open Aug. 13. Now slated for Oct. 1, “Smoke on the Mountain” features a smaller cast which will allow the performers to follow safety protocols, including necessary distancing on and off stage. Tickets already purchased for “Newsies” will be honored for “Smoke on the Mountain.” Those who have reservations for “Newsies” who do not wish to attend “Smoke on the Mountain “will receive the amount they paid in a gift certificate for use for a future production of their choice. Current ticket holders will be contacted regarding their new performance date and time.
Due to the intermission starting Aug. 10, Beef & Boards’ productions of “Phantom” and “Disney’s Aladdin Jr.” will not take place as scheduled.
