Photos credit: Alabama Theater
All of us are having to make big life adjustments due to COVID-19. However, some have been disrupted much more work-wise than others. Entertainers certainly have been hit financially when COVID-19 protocols kept them from performing — and still is limiting capacity when there are performances.
That’s why I reached out to Abby Scher, director of marketing and public relations at Alabama Theater in Myrtle Beach. The variety show features music, dance and comedy and has been entertaining families since 1993 in its own unique way and the Christmas show in November and December always gets great reviews.
“Since we have been back open things have been good,” Scher said. “Obviously, it has been slower with a different setup since we are at about 20 percent capacity. The great thing, though, is that we have had really interactive audiences. People have been so excited to get back and we are happy to have them.”
Scher has noticed a lot of people traveling who might not usually be at this time of year because children are in virtual learning situations and can do school work from anywhere.
“Our locals have also really come back in big numbers,” she said.
Scher says she would like to think fans are not noticing any major differences in the performance even though the cast is spaced out differently and will occasionally be wearing masks on stage when there is tight spacing.
“The entertainers are just happy to be back and we were very lucky to be able to bring everybody back to work,” she said. “A few were excited to do something different and that was okay but they are all just happy and excited to be on stage. Most have been entertainers all their lives and do not know anything different. That’s why they are so happy to be back.”
Most of the show entertainers live in the Myrtle Beach area and stayed in “show shape” when they were not working.
“They probably had a rough first week when we started back but it was like getting back on a bike and they got right on with it,” Scher said. “A couple of them were nervous about what it might be like with limited seating but the audiences have been so excited, clapping and hollering to get them (performers) really amped up.
“Some have told me they have enjoyed the audiences in the house more than some full houses. Everybody is just super grateful and it makes you feel good to be back out there entertaining.”
That really hit Scher opening night when she was helping close the balcony door as the curtain opened for the first post-COVID show.
“I never heard it so loud in the theater even with the limited crowd,” she said. “Two of our singers cried. They said they had never done that in an opening number but everybody was just so excited.”
The Christmas show is projected to start Nov. 2 and Scher hopes the demand is so strong that extra shows might be added to the schedule.
“Christmas is really our big season. I am hoping we sell out every night with whatever capacity we have and if we do we may add some more shows,” Scher said. “We are already in Christmas rehearsal and the show is really good.”
Myrtle Beach received a lot of national attention this summer as a COVID hot spot. Scher said since then stricter guidelines have been put in place to keep everyone safe.
“We are not on the national news right now, so things are working. Numbers are dropping,” Scher said. “We are seeing more and more families coming through and offseason rates here are actually very affordable.
“It was a rough few months for everyone but things are going well again. Our show is going great and we can’t wait to see more folks.”
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For more information, go to www.alabama-theatre.com
