As Redlands Footlighters Community Theatre celebrates its 75th season of performing award-winning live plays on their center stage for audiences, president Ali Rafter enthusiastically exclaimed, “And I’m looking forward to another 75 years! This could have been the year that broke us but we are not going to let that happen.”

And so the well-known showbiz phrase, “The show must go on!” turns out to be as pertinent today as it was when it originated in 19th century circus talk — especially when an animal got lost or a performer was injured. Back in that era, if a crisis occurred in the arena it was up to the ringmaster or band leader to find a way to entertain the paying audience, give them their money’s worth and continue the show.

Which is precisely what Ali Rafter did.

The coronavirus pandemic has been an annoying obstacle, true, but it didn’t hold Ali back for very long. Soon she discovered a way to present live theater while still observing social distancing, something that could not be achieved indoors because of the theater’s size.

“When we realized we could perform outdoor shows safely, we constructed a stage in the north end of our large parking lot and began offering entertainment again,” Ali added.

So far, Footlighters has produced the following programs under the stars:

• “The Life of Paul Robeson,” a one-man show.

• The band music of “Raincross Drive.”

• “Sweet Nell in Distress,” a comedy melodrama presented by the Pandemic Theatricals

• And “Just a Skosh,” a local Redlands Bluegrass band. In October, Footlighters will feature a dance show starring California State University, San Bernardino, performers. And at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, the public is invited to attend “Play-reading on the Patio: Chekhov.” Tickets are $12, with beverage included.

“It is our hope that other arts groups would be interested in using our venue so that we could all help keep the arts alive within the community,” Ali said enthusiastically. “We would happily share our stage with other artists in exchange for their handling their own production expenses.

“In these unusual times we want to continue to do what we have always done, which was to entertain our community. The show must go on!”

Members of the audience are asked to practice social distancing by wearing masks and sitting in folding chairs brought from home, which will be placed at appropriate intervals to assure state-mandated guidelines. Footlighters’ safety precautions include chalked-off nine-foot distancing squares for seating.

Also, all actors will be physically distanced while performing on stage.

Ali was quick to share a favorite quotation that always inspires her: “Why should we all use our creative power? Because there is nothing that makes people so generous, joyful, lively, bold and compassionate, so indifferent to fighting and the accumulation of objects and money,” Brenda Ueland.

Now is a time when we all need live entertainment, and the outdoor Footlighter stage may be the upcoming happening venue for local community music, stage, dance and drama.

Footlighters will continue to offer a safe and convenient venue for live theatrical entertainment which cannot be found elsewhere until COVID restrictions are lifted.

For box office information, call (909) 793-2909 or visit redlandsfootlighters.org