performances those same days for the safety of audiences, performers and staff. Holiday Express, an Eatontown non-profit, also cited rising coronavirus case figures in canceling benefit shows scheduled for December at The Count Basie in Red Bank.
The director said they’ve managed to stay on schedule through various measures, including vaccine shots — plus boosters — for cast and staff, face mask requirements backstage, limiting interactions with people outside the company and COVID tests conducted three times a week. All have allowed for cast to perform onstage without masks and the need to social distance.
“We’d have to shut down for a night or more depending on how bad the situation is,” Monte said. “But we feel pretty protected right now based on our protocols.” “That doesn’t always make people not scared and we’re seeing audiences get tinier and tinier by the day,” Monte said. “Some performances are packed but not many. If you want to be around fewer people you can ask the box office … some we’ve had just 45 people. We’re desperate to share this show with as many people as we can.”“I can’t tell you how moving it is to see the artist’s lives get revived and watching their incredible giddiness to be back in front of an audience,” Monte said.