The David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts has finally reopened in downtown Tampa for live performances, including several new shows in its lineup.
In addition to its previously announced fall performances, which began Friday, three more shows have been added for The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged).
The play list also now includes added shows for Opera Tampa’s The Witching Hour, the additions of Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus, Always… Patsy Cline, Twilight: Los Angeles 1992 and Opera Tampa’s Home for the Holidays.
“The capacity in the Jaeb Theater and at the Riverwalk Stage will be limited,” said Straz Center President and CEO Judy Lisi. “We’ll be offering socially distanced table seating that will allow small groups of friends and family to enjoy the performances together in a safe and responsible way. Masks will be required, and additional safety protocols will be in place. I am overjoyed that performances are returning to our stages.”
The Straz shut down for months due to COVID-19 and used federal pandemic employment assistance to keep its staff. It hopes to continue to do so and is urging its patrons to contact Sen. Marco Rubio, R-FL, to pass the bipartisan Save Our Stages Act, which would extend pandemic unemployment assistance to thousands of workers.
The bill is sponsored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-MN, and co-sponsored by Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa.
The Straz has a $110 million economic impact on the local economy and is the fourth largest performing arts institute in the country, according to its Facebook page.
For a complete performance schedule, visit The Straz home page.
