August brings the start of school, the heat, the kickoff of football and approval of school and local government budgets for FY 2021.

And a look at the coming entertainment year in Abilene.

To do that this year would require a crystal ball. More likely divine intervention. No one knows what to expect in the months ahead as the nation continues to deal with a health pandemic that shut down entertainment events beginning in March.

Five months later, venues remain closed, seasons are on hold and organizers are leaning on a new word — creativity.

Still, plans are being made, as best as possible. Some seasons or single events have been pushed to next spring. Others are forging ahead this fall but in new ways.

Though the State Fair of Texas, an October tradition, weeks ago was canceled, the West Texas Fair & Rodeo is a go. However, the event planned for Sept. 10-19 now begins Sept. 4, with two off days scheduled. This will give livestock exhibitors more time to show their steers and poultry, and to give attendees more dates to go to the Taylor County Expo Center to spread crowds.

The Abilene Philharmonic canceled its first two concerts and moved a holdover show from the 2019-20 season to next year. Instead, there will be two outdoor concerts, with smaller musical groups, at the Abilene Zoo.

Still planned is the biennial Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, which will debut four pieces Sept. 19 on the North First Street railroad right-of-way. This marks the 40th year for the the exhibition.

Not happening, however, is Abilene Opera Association’s Christmas season production of Handel’s “Messiah.” Abilene Ballet Theatre still considering its plan for “The Nutcracker.”

Let’s take a quick look at how those who stage theater, show movies and present concerts are looking at the fall.

Ironically, Abilene Community Theatre in its 66th year is presenting “Much Ado About Nothing.” Hopefully, we can say there will be much ado about something September through December, and beyond.

Abilene Christian University

Perhaps the biggest change in local theater this fall will come from ACU.

Normally, a fall highlight is ACU’s homecoming production, which ACU has done since 1958 (“The Wizard of Oz.”)  Since 1970 (“The Sound of Music”), performances have been at the roomier Abilene Convention Center.

Not this year.

According to Dawne Meeks, associate director of theater, the 2020 production of “Cinderella” will combine theater and film. The plan is to produce a “fairy tale music video story,” Meeks told the ARN. It will be filmed outdoors, using a film crew from Los Angeles. New York City-based Jeff Smith will direct, while producer will be Jason Baumgardner

This year’s Cornerstone Series play Nov. 16-19 is the regional premiere of “American Son,” a 90-minute work directed by ACU grad Vincent Green. 

“We are beyond excited to present a racial justice play in the Convention Center,” Meeks said of the collaborative project between ACU theater and the Carl Spain Center for Racial Reconciliation and Spiritual Development.

The performance will be open only to ACU freshmen, about 300-350 attending each night at the venue that can seat 2,100.

A 7:30 p.m. performance Nov. 20 will be invitation only. Go to www.acu.edu/theatre or call the ACU box office (325-674-2787) for information.

Abilene Community Theatre

The shows must go on at ACT, though not as early as usual.

Rehearsals are underway for the main stage production of “Doublewide, Texas,” which will be presented Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 2-4. Directing is Stacey Smith. ACT normally begins its season weeks earlier.

ACT planned for “Peter Pan” this year but has moved that production to summer 2021.

The rest of the 2020-21 season is:

► “Other Desert Cities,” Nov. 13-15 and 20-22 (main stage, directed by Adam Singleton)

► “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol,” Dec. 11-13 and 18-20 (Black Box Theatre, directed by Mike Stephens)

► “Much Ado About Nothing,” Feb. 12-14 and 19-21 (main stage, directed by Amanda Keith)

► “Almost, Maine,” March 19-21 and 26-28 (main stage)

► “The Book of Everything,” May 14-16 and 21-23 (main stage, directed by Ginger Vinson and Jeremy Matta)

► “Peter Pan,” June 11-13 and 18-20 (main stage, directed by Lorrie Renfro)

Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra

Three performances scheduled for the 70th anniversary season will not happen.

The “Kristen Hertzenberg and her All-Star Band” show, bumped from last season to September at the Paramount Theatre, has been further bumped to May 29, with a May 30 matinee added.

The Masterworks concerts to open the 2020-21 season, “A New World” and “Triple Concerto,” have been canceled. 

However, the Phil will go on the road, even only from downtown to Nelson Park. The aptly named Interlude Outdoor Concert Series returns singer Kristi Tingle to Abilene to perform with symphony conductor David Itkin (on piano) for a Sept. 5 concert titled “Pops in the Park.”

On Oct. 3 it’s “Under the Stars,” which will feature a quartet comprised of principal string players in the orchestra.

Both concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and cost $10 person, or $5 for zoo members. Season patrons will be admitted at no charge.

Abilene Youth Orchestra plans to rehearse in small groups this fall with a goal of a November concert, new director Abigail Payne said.

The rest of the season:

► “Christmas Movie Magic,” 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, Abilene Convention Center.

► “Russian Fanfare” featuring Abilene’s own Faith Fang on violin, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16, ACC

► “The Wonderfully Wicked Music of Oz,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13, ACC

► “St. John Passion,” 7:30 p.m. March 27, First Baptist Church

► “Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles,” 7:30 p.m. April 24, ACC

For tickets or information, call 325-677-6710 or go to abilenephilharmonic.org.

Broadway Series

There are no shows scheduled this fall, and no showdates set for the spring.

However, Randy Cole, of Celebrity Attractions, said shows that are pegged for Abilene should the series resume as planned are “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story,” “South Pacific,” a new musical based on the movie “An Officer and a Gentleman” and “Waitress” for a summer 2021 performance. That show was scheduled for 2020; the others would be new here.

Children’s Performing Arts Series

There will be no live shows this fall. CPAS is planning three live shows in the spring, either in the traditional theater setting or outdoors, and live or virtual shows for second-graders in partnership with Young Audiences of Abilene.

There will be two fall options:

► Recorded professional children’s shows based on popular children’s books and video extras will be offered, called CPAS at Home. Virtual titles include “Anne of Green Gables,” “Chicken Dance,” “The Monster Who Ate My Peas,” “Charlotte’s Web” and “Harriet Tubman.” These packages are available for purchase and include a new copy of the book that inspired the show and a gift meal card for the family.

With the help of sponsors, these packages will be made available to families that normally benefit from the CPAS free ticket program.

► A second offer is called CPAS on the Go. This is more for social service organizations, such as Noah Project, House of Faith and New Horizons. Children can enjoy the same shows but at these facilities.

For information, contact CPAS director Hollye Jaklewicz at 325-370-6291 or hollye@abilenecac.org.

Hardin-Simmons University

Professor Victoria Spangler is in a double adjustment mode, tackling theater education for students and the retirement of longtime associate director of theater Larry Wheeler, a set design wizard.

Spangler said she is not sure where some productions will be staged, thinking outdoors is a good option. HSU on Sept. 18 will offer its musical picnic event, “Pops at the Pond,” at the campus duck pond. It’s a free event.

“My feeling is that the shows in the fall will be produced outside somewhere, but we haven’t chosen a location,” she said. Going off campus is being considered, she told the Reporter-News.

“We were very energized as opposed to disappointed. I think that most theater folks — producers and directors and designers — are looking at this as a way to be creative, beyond anything we have done before,” she said.

Here is HSU’s plan:

► “DirectFest 2020,” plays directed and produced by students who took Directing 1 in the spring, Sept. 11-12.

► “Pops at the Pond,” Sept. 18

► “Little Shop of Horrors,” Oct. 7-11 (directed by Teri Wilkerson). Shows start at 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee Oct. 11.

► “An Experiment with an Air Pump,” Nov. 18-22 (directed by Spangler). Shows start at 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee Nov. 22.

► “Director’s Cut,” a student-directed play TBD, Jan. 23 (7:30 p.m.) and 24 (2 p.m.)

►  “24-Hour Shakespeare,” a classic by The Bard (announced Jan. 30) presented by students in 24 hours, Jan. 31

► “Into the Woods,” Feb. 17-21 (directed by Spangler). Shows start at 7:30 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees Feb. 20-21.

► Christian University Theatre Festival, with HSU presenting “Into the Woods.”

► “A Comedy of Errors,” March 24-28 (directed by Jenni Harbour). Shows start at 7:30 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinee March 28.

► “Starlight Extravaganza” fundraiser, 6:30 p.m. April 10

► “DirectFest 2021,” April 21-24, Van Ellis Theatre.

For tickets or information, call 325-670-1405 or go to hsutx.edu/theatre.

McMurry University

While venues remained dark for months, McMurry ventured on with its second summer theater season, presenting “Steel Magnolias” and “The Fantasticks” outdoors at the university’s Quad.

McMurry’s creativity to erect a long stage to keep actors six feet apart and giving a limited audience ample room to set up a lawn chair or blanket was a huge success and maybe inspired other groups to “take it outside.”

McMurry has two fall productions planned:

► “Godspell,” for homecoming weekend Oct. 15-18 (McMurry otherwise is having a virtual homecoming). It will be a 7:30 p.m. start, back on the Quad. $10 suggested donation.

► “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio play,” Nov. 19-22, Radford Auditorium on campus. Also a 7:30 p.m. start. $10 tickets.

For tickets or information, go to ww.mcm.edu/theatre.

Paramount Theatre

It took the Muppets to reopen the downtown showplace, celebrating its 90th year. The family film was the first public event since spring break.

There won’t be a 24fps International Short Film Festival or a fall production, but the Paramount will be host of “Cabaret Under the Stars,” a dinner show fundraiser. It was postponed from the spring but now will have four shows Sept. 18-19.

Seating is limited but some tickets are available due to cancellations.

Here is the Paramount’s plan for the fall:

► “Frozen 2,”  Saturday, 2 p.m. family show ($2 seats)

► “Friday Night Lights,” Sept. 4-5, 7:30 p.m. shows only

► “Young Frankenstein,” Sept. 11-12, 7:30 p.m. shows only

► “Cabaret Under the Stars,” Sept. 18-19, shows at 6 and 9 each night

► “Sleeping Beauty,” Sept. 26, 2 p.m. family show ($2 seats)

► “The Princess and the Frog,”  Oct. 3, 2 p.m. family show ($2 seats)

► “Giant,” Oct. 9-10, 7:30 p.m. shows only

► “Hocus Pocus,” Oct. 30-31, 7:30 p.m. shows only 

► “The Princess Bride,” Nov. 13-14, 7:30 p.m. shows only.

For tickets or information, call 325-676-9620 or go to www.paramountabilene.com. 

Public schools

The Abilene ISD will not be presenting student events such as concerts, plays, art shows or elementary music programs, according to Jay Lester, director of fine arts for the district.

The only extracurricular activity will be marching band, which will perform at home games and in local parades, both outdoor activities. Dance/drill teams, Junior ROTC and band color guards are included.

It’s the same for the Wylie ISD, though the district is considering outdoor musical events.

Christopher Shoemake, theater director at Wylie High School, said a Nov. 12-15 run of “Grease” still is planned.

“Producing a musical during a pandemic will require some changes in procedure as far as auditioning, rehearsal and performance are concerned but we are determined to mount a production as safely and efficiently as possible,” he told the Reporter-News.

Greg Jaklewicz is editor of the Abilene Reporter-News. If you appreciate locally driven news, you can support local journalists with a digital subscription to ReporterNews.com. 

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