Performing Arts Fort Worth, the non-profit that owns and operates Bass Performance Hall, McDavid Studio and the Van Cliburn Recital Hall, announced layoffs, furloughs and a revised schedule.

“With no indication of when we will have the ability to reopen at 100% capacity and reach our pre-COVID-19 level of business, we have made some difficult decisions about the immediate staffing needs for the organization,” said President & CEO Dione Kennedy, in a statement.

Five position have been eliminated and 13 furloughed from a staff of 58.  There were also salary reductions for remaining staff.

According to Jason Wise, Vice President of Programming and Engagement Management at Performing Arts Fort Worth, some of Bass Performance Hall’s resident companies – Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Texas Ballet Theater, Fort Worth Opera and the Cliburn – do plan to hold performances in Bass Hall throughout the upcoming 2020-2021 season, but an exact reopening date is still to be determined.

Below is the latest release from the group outlining the schedule changes for the Broadway at the Bass series. The 2020-2021 series is now scheduled to begin in Jan. 2021 with Disney’s “The Lion King.”

PERFORMING ARTS FORT WORTH ANNOUNCES REVISED BROADWAY SEASON LINEUP AT BASS PERFORMANCE HALL

FORT WORTH, Texas, (June 1, 2020) – COVID-19 continues to have a significant impact on Broadway and the Touring Broadway industry. As a result, Performing Arts Fort Worth announced today a myriad of programming changes to the remainder of its 2019-2020 and upcoming 2020-2021 Broadway at the Bass seasons at Bass Performance Hall.

Updates include cancellations of COME FROM AWAY, MY FAIR LADY, CATS, CHICAGO, WAITRESS and THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES. Performing Arts Fort Worth is working diligently with the producers of COME FROM AWAY and CATS to bring these shows to Bass Hall in a future Broadway at the Bass season.

These new cancellations come on the heels of previously announced rescheduled engagements of HAMILTON, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and Jimmy Buffett’s ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE, along with previously announced cancellations of Elton John & Tim Rice’s AIDA and THE CHER SHOW.

The 2020-2021 Broadway at the Bass season is now scheduled to kick off with the highly anticipated return of Disney’s THE LION KING, Jan. 13-31, 2021.

No action is necessary for current ticket holders who purchased their tickets through the Bass Hall website, www.basshall.com, or Bass Hall Box Office. Emails have been sent to ticket holders with additional information.
Those who purchased tickets through third parties will need to contact their points of purchase.

“The challenges and uncertainties around this health crisis have had an enormous impact on all of our communities, and the theatrical community has been uniquely challenged,” said Performing Arts Fort Worth President & CEO Dione Kennedy. “While our programming has been revised, we look forward to welcoming patrons back to Bass Hall when it is safe and appropriate. Our box office is working virtually as we all maintain social distancing so we ask for your patience and understanding as communication may be delayed and take longer than normal.”

Revised 2019-2020 Broadway at the Bass season:
HAMILTON – rescheduled to Jan. 18 – Feb. 6, 2022
COME FROM AWAY – July 7-12, 2020 – cancelled; working to bring show back in a future season
Jimmy Buffett’s ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE – rescheduled to April 6-11, 2021
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR – rescheduled to July 27 – Aug. 1, 2021
Revised 2020-2021 Broadway at the Bass season:
MY FAIR LADY – Oct. 6-11, 2020 – cancelled
Disney’s THE LION KING – Jan. 13-31, 2021
DEAR EVAN HANSEN – Feb. 9-14, 2021
CATS – June 15-20, 2021 – cancelled; working to bring show back in a future season
Elton John & Tim Rice’s AIDA – June 22-27, 2021 – cancelled
THE CHER SHOW – July 27–Aug. 1, 2021 – cancelled
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s OKLAHOMA! – Aug. 10-15, 2021
Revised 2020-2021 Broadway Specials:
THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES – Sept. 1-2, 2020 – cancelled
CHICAGO – Oct. 13-14, 2020 – cancelled
WAITRESS – Nov. 7-8, 2020 – cancelled

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