After school closures, Gateway cancels musical

Gateway High School’s musical has officially been canceled, according to an announcement written by the superintendent and posted to the district’s website Thursday.

Gov. Tom Wolf directed Wednesday that all school buildings must stay closed through the end of the school year, meaning 1.7 million students in K-12 public and private schools would not return to regular, face-to-face instruction until autumn.

Jim Hoeltje, Gateway’s director of bands, said the district was holding out hope to move forward with a modified production, like a shortened run in June with two performances instead of the original five that were planned for April 24-26 and May 1 and 2.

“Our sets were not built and our costumes were not done. So we were hoping that if the buildings opened up again we could work on that and look at some alternative performances,” Hoeltje said. “But we were holding out hope for something that couldn’t happen.”

The musical would have featured a high school cast performing its version of “The Drowsy Chaperone.”

Information about refunds for businesses who bought advertisements for the show’s booklet was not available Friday. The district’s announcement posted on its website said that information will come from the Gateway High School music department soon.

“As a district that prides itself on providing our students and community members with exceptional performing arts opportunities, we are all saddened by this cancellation. The cast and crew have prepared for months anticipating the performance, and their efforts are greatly appreciated and must be acknowledged,” Superintendent Bill Short said in the post.