This is what a North Texas community group does amid coronavirus: ‘drive-up theater’
Artistic director JaceSon Barrus and the community group, Plaza Theatre, in Cleburne shut down their production of “Little House on the Prairie” Saturday because of the coronavirvus.
But the virus isn’t stopping them from putting on a different type of show this Saturday.
For the first time in the 13-year-old history of the company, there will be a drive-up theater production, “Nifty Fifties,” where patrons will watch and listen as they sit in their vehicles.
The cabaret type show filled with songs from the 1950s will start at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
“It’s going to be a way to get some hope to people,” said Caitlan Leblo of Granbury, one of the five performers who will be on stage for the outdoor, one-hour free show.
Cleburne Mayor Scott Cain had issued a local disaster in response to COVID-19, limiting mass gatherings to no more than 50 people.
On Wednesday, the first case of the coronavirus was confirmed in Johnson County, according to officials. A second confirmation is pending test results.
Cleburne city officials had closed the public library, Booker T. Washington Recreation Center, the Layland and Railroad museums, the Senior Center, the Sports Complex and the Grille at the Cleburne Links golf course.
Officials at Plaza Theatre also closed down their theater-in-the-round, at 305 S. Anglin St., as hundreds of other theaters have had to do across the county.
Barrus said they wanted to put on a safe show.
“It’s going to be something unique,” Barrus said Wednesday.
The Cleburne mayor is ready for it.
“I have consulted with health officials and am in full support of this creative initiative,” Cain said Wednesday. “It’s this kind of ingenuity that makes the Plaza Theatre a Cleburne staple, but also the kind of thinking that I encourage other North Texas businesses to embrace during this challenging time. Let’s all stay calm and carry on.”
Barrus said the Plaza Theatre building will be the backdrop for the stage and patrons will be in the parking lot.
Patrons will listen on an FM radio station.
Social distancing will be observed by performers, but Caitlan Leblo and her husband, Josh, might be a bit closer than the others.
The show is free, but donations will be accepted.
Josh Leblo was more concerned with the show.
“It’s new stuff and I haven’t done anything like this before,” he said Wednesday afternoon.
Caitlin agreed. She’s a teacher at Acton Middle School in the Granbury school district so she has had to stay home these last few days.
“We have to rehearse at least once,” she said. “I’m ready to see other people and interact.”
This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 4:18 PM.
