Cast’s COVID breakthrough cases cancel Modesto’s Gallo Center show at last minute
As the audience waited, breakthrough cases of COVID-19 among cast members suddenly canceled a performance Tuesday evening at the Gallo Center for the Arts.
The musical “Waitress” was due to begin at 7 p.m. at the downtown Modesto venue.
The show was sold out, according to texts from Chad Hilligus, chief executive officer at the Gallo Center.
“We were informed by ‘Waitress’ company management just after 7 p.m. that, due to breakthrough COVID cases in the cast, the performance would not be able to proceed,” a text from Hilligus said. “There was no indication up to that point that the performance was at risk.”
The show was ready to go, with the cast in costume, he said.
The Gallo Center has “very detailed protocols in place to protect GCA production staff,” he added. “The touring company also has their own set of protocols to mitigate additional exposure.”
The cast was fully vaccinated, he said.
Hilligus said in the texts that he could not comment further until the Gallo Center “reached a resolution” with “Waitress” company management. Once they have a resolution, “communication will go out immediately to those who were in attendance with further instruction.”
This story was originally published February 2, 2022 at 2:24 PM.
