COVID-19 threat postpones ‘Anna in the Tropics’ opening night, shows

From Repertory Philippines Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — Theatergoers may have to wait a little longer to watch “Anna in the Tropics” as its opening night has been canceled and its scheduled shows are postponed.

Repertory Philippines (REP), in an advisory on Friday, announced the cancellation after the government raised the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) alert system to Code Red, sub-level 2.

With this, REP said: “We must put the health and safety of all theatergoers, actors, and team first and foremost.” 

As the alert system was elevated, President Rodrigo Duterte also ordered Metro Manila under “community quarantine.” 

So far, the country’s record for COVID-19 cases is at 52, with five deaths. 

“Our director and friend, Joey Mendoza, has given so much of himself to make this production come to life,” REP said in the statement.

“And what a spectacular show it would’ve been! His creatives (two of whom flew in from the U.S.), the production team and the cast have also contributed so much of their talent and passion. We really wish you could’ve seen the show.”

“Anna in the Tropics” is a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Nilo Cruz, which tells the story of a family living in Florida in 1929, whose members’ lives  start to intertwine with the characters’ of Leo Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina.”

The REP production of “Anna in the Tropics” was supposed to run from March 13 to April 5 at the Onstage Theater in Greenbelt 1, Makati.

Edited by MUF