The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to devastate the Lehigh Valley arts and entertainment community, including cancellation of concerts through June at Miller Symphony Hall, cancellation of concerts through May at Godfrey Daniels, suspending of Northampton Community College Summer Theatre and postponement of the 17th annual SouthSide Film Festival.

The impact of the coronavirus already has forced cancellation of the 113th Bach Festival, 40th Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre, 29th Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, 18th Freddy Awards and postponement of theater productions and film screenings at Civic Theatre of Allentown, which has closed.

In Allentown, still to be impacted might be the annual Mayfair Festival of the Arts, May 22 - 24, Cedar Crest College; annual Baum School of Art auction, May 16, and annual City Arts Camp.

The arts camp, a collaboration of the Allentown Art Museum, Baum School of Art, Civic Theatre of Allentown, Community Music School, Miller Symphony Hall, and Repertory Dance Theatre, was held June 24-28, 2019.

The Cedar Crest College campus is closed, as is the Baum School, Allentown Art Museum, Civic Theatre, Community Music School and Repertory Dance Theatre.

Al Jacobsen, Executive Director, Allentown Symphony Association (ASA), announced in an April 15 press release that, in addition to events through April 30 being cancelled, ASA-promoted performances and events, including the concerts, “Jazz Upstairs” with Zen for Primates; “‘Women Rock” with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, at Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown, and in the community, are canceled through June 21.

Cancelled events include: May 1, “Jazz Upstairs,” Zen for Primates; May 3, The Allentown Band, “The Twenties Roar” (previously canceled by The Allentown Band); May 9, “Women Rock,” Allentown Symphony Orchestra (ASO) Pops concert; May 10, Donizetti’s “Maria Stuarda” The Met Live in HD (previously cancelled by the Met); May 15, “Jazz Upstairs,” The Dan Wilkins’ Horizons Quartet; and

Also canceled by the ASA: May 17, “Arts at St. John’s ASO Series,” Robert Fournier, ASO Bass Trombonist (scheduled for performance at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Allentown); May 21, “Third Thursday at The Lyric Room”; June 4, El Sistema Lehigh Valley Spring Concert; June 7, “Arts at St. John’s ASO Series,” TurksHeadKnot, directed by ASO Principal Bass Peter Paulsen; June 18, “Third Thursday at The Lyric Room,” and June 19, “Jazz Upstairs,” The Frank DiBussolo Group.

Jacobsen is asking ticket-holders to consider donating the value of the tickets to the Allentown Symphony Association. Those who donate the amount of the tickets’ value will receive four free ticket vouchers to select ASO performances in the coming year, Jacobsen stated.

Tickets may be exchanged for select ASO concerts during the 2020-21 season. The season is listed at: www.MillerSymphonyHall.org. The value of the tickets may be applied to a subscription purchase for the coming season. Ticket refunds may be requested. Information: info@allentownsymphony.org; 610-432-6715

Bill Mutimer, Northampton Community College Theatre Department Head and Northampton Community College Summer Theatre Producing Artistic Director, stated in an April 15 email: “We have been hopefully optimistic these past few weeks that we could be a part of your summer, but we have made the very difficult decision to cancel our 2020 season to ensure everyone’s safety. We are very disappointed to do this, but rest assured, we will be back strong in 2021.

“As the lights come back on in area theaters, we hope you will be there to support our local artists. As always, we appreciate your support of our programs, and look forward to seeing you again soon,” Mutimer stated.

The NCC Summer Theatre 2020 season in the Lipkin Theatre, NCC main campus, Bethlehem Township, was to include, “Titanic The Musical,” June 3 - 14; “Footloose,” July 1 - 12; “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, Awful, Not So Good Very Bad Day,” July 8 - Aug. 1, and “Evita,” July 22 - Aug. 2. NCC Theatre canceled “Dogfight,” April 16 - 19.

NCC Summer Theatre previously announced “Something Rotten” as its opening show for its summer 2021 season. “Look for an announcement soon about the rest of our 2021 season,” Mutimer stated. Tickets for the NCC Summer Theatre 2021 season are to go on sale in September.

NCC Summer Theatre 2020 season ticket-holders may donate the value of their tickets or request refunds: https://www.showtix4u.com/events/14994; 484-484-3412.

The 17th annual SouthSide Film Festival (SSFF) was to have been held June 16-20.

The SSFF stated: “Thank you to everyone who has helped make SouthSide Film Festival possible over the past 16 years.

“SSFF has made the difficult decision to postpone the 17th annual festival in June. The SSFF board is currently looking at possible future dates and ideas for the 2020 festival at this time. Please stay tuned and check www.SSFF.org for any future updates. Stay well and be safe.”

The 2019 SSFF screening venues included the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, Touchstone Theatre and National Museum of Industrial History, all Bethlehem. Last year’s opening night party was held at WLVT PBS 39 Studios, SteelStacks, and the closing night party was held at Color Me Mine, both Bethlehem.

Dina Hall, board president, Godfrey Daniels, stated April 14 on the south side Bethlehem venue’s website: “As you know, COVID-19 is having a serious impact on the entertainment industry at large. And as you are probably aware, all shows, tours and other events have been shut down throughout the U.S., for an undetermined period of time.

“This means we’ve been forced to cancel or postpone all events through May. We will re-evaluate as this progresses.

“Currently, we’re working diligently to set new dates for these concerts as quickly as possible. These may be as late as autumn. Once new dates are set, we will contact ticket-holders individually to determine if we should: 1. hold your paid reservation for the new date; or 2. refund your purchase. Thank you for your support.”

Repertory Dance Theatre (RDT) has a May 31 recital scheduled.

Jennifer Haltzman Tracy, Executive Director, Repertory Dance Theatre, stated on RDT’s website: “I will continue to closely monitor the status of COVID-19. In a couple of weeks, we will hopefully have a better idea of when we can safely open. I appreciate your understanding, cooperation and support during this uncertain time. With everyone’s cooperation, we will all weather this unprecedented crisis.”

RDT has a May 31 recital scheduled. Haltzman Tracy started online classes the week of March 30.

The Ballet Guild Board of Directors, Artistic Director, and Staff, stated March 13 on the BGLV’s website: “At this time, we are fully committed to proceeding with the ‘Peter Pan’ ballet.”

BGLV is not holding classes or rehearsals. It’s production of the “Peter Pan” ballet is scheduled May 29 and 30, Zoellner Arts Center.

Here’s an update, as of April 16, of Lehigh Valley arts and entertainment closings, cancellations or postponements. The list is in alphabetical order of the venues or organizations.

Allentown Art Museum - Closed indefinitely. April 4 Gala canceled

AMC Theatres - Closed as of March 17 for “at least six to 12 weeks.”

America on Wheels, Allentown - Closed

ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, Banana Factory, Bethlehem - Suspended: cinema screenings, comedy shows, ArtsQuest Center; classes, Banana Factory. Postponed, Musikfest Cafe: Splintered Sunlight, April 3, to July 25; Igor and the Red Elvises, April 10, to Oct. 15; Marc Broussard, April 11, to July 14; Guided by Voices, April 24; Jake E. Lee’s Red Dragon Cartel, May 5; rescheduled: The Amish Outlaws, July 23; Gary Hoey, March 13, 2021; Everlast, March 14, 2021

Bach Choir of Bethlehem - Canceled: 113th Bach Festival

Baum School of Art, Allentown - Closed until further notice

Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Bethlehem - Postponed: 2020 iXchange, May 12

Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission, Rotunda Gallery, Town Hall, Bethlehem - Canceled: Lehigh Valley Charter Arts student exhibition

Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center - Activities suspended until May 15

Bucks County Playhouse - Postponed: World Premiere, “Other World,” new dates to be announced

Civic Theatre of Allentown - Closed until further notice. Film programming on hiatus. Postponed: “Silence! The Musical,” Lehigh Valley premiere; March 13 - 21; “Frozen Jr.” April 2 - 5; “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” May 1 - 17; “Tonys & Tapas & Talent,” June 7; “Significant Other,” June 19 - 28. Film programming on hiatus.

Community Music School, Allentown - Canceled: “Spring Brunch,” April 26

DeSales University, Center Valley - Canceled: Act 3 Children’s Theatre, “The Jungle Book,” March 19 - April 28; Act 1, “The Sound of Music,” April 22 - May 3

Dorney Park, South Whitehall Township - Postponed: Opening, May 1, rescheduled mid-May at earliest

Emmaus Theatre - Temporarily closed

Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem - Concerts postponed through May

Hawk Mountain, Kempton - Closed through May 10.

Historical Bethlehem Museums and Sites - Closed until CDC and governmental agencies advise to resume activities: Moravian Museum, Kemerer Museum, Visitor Center

Lehigh University, Bethlehem - Canceled: “Godspell,” April 17 - 25; Closed through May 3: Zoellner Arts Center. Campus closed through May 13.

Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, Allentown - Closed until further notice

Lehigh Valley Zoo, Schnecksville - Closed through April

Mack Trucks Historical Museum, Allentown - Closed until further notice

Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe - Concerts postponed through May

Michener Museum, Doylestown. - Temporarily closed

Miller Symphony Hall - Canceled: “The Met: Live in HD Series: Puccini’s Tosca,” April 16; “Third Thursday,” The Lyric Room, April 16; “Musicians’ Sponsorship Dinner,” April 17; Hector Olivera, organ, ”Chamber OnStage,” April 20; “Laughs at The Lyric,” April 29; May 1, “Jazz Upstairs,” Zen for Primates; May 3, The Allentown Band, “The Twenties Roar”; May 9, “Women Rock,” Allentown Symphony Orchestra Pops concert; May 10, Donizetti’s “Maria Stuarda” The Met Live in HD; May 15, “Jazz Upstairs,” The Dan Wilkins’ Horizons Quartet; May 17, “Arts at St. John’s ASO Series,” Robert Fournier, ASO Bass Trombonist, St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Allentown; May 21, “Third Thursday at The Lyric Room”; June 4, El Sistema Lehigh Valley Spring Concert; June 7, “Arts at St. John’s ASO Series,” TurksHeadKnot, directed by ASO Principal Bass Peter Paulsen; June 18, “Third Thursday at The Lyric Room”; June 19, “Jazz Upstairs,” The Frank DiBussolo Group.

Muhlenberg College, Allentown - Canceled: Fringe Festival, April 4, 5, 17 - 19; Dance Emerge 2020, April 23 - 25

Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre, Allentown - Canceled: “Legally Blonde,” June 11 - 28; “The Legend of New York,” July 9 - 26; “The Comedy of Wizards,” June 24 - July 25

National Museum of Industrial History, Bethlehem - Closed until further notice

New Vision Tilghman Square 8 - Closed as of midnight March 16 until further notice

Northampton Community College Summer Theatre, Bethlehem Township - Canceled: “Titanic The Musical,” June 3 - 14; “Footloose,” July 1 - 12; “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, Awful, Not So Good Very Bad Day,” July 8 - Aug. 1, and “Evita,” July 22 - Aug. 2. NCC Theatre cancelled “Dogfight,” April 16 - 19

Penn’s Peak, Jim Thorpe - Postponed: Styx, March 14, to Nov. 13; Mike DelGuidice and Big Shot, March 21, to Aug. 22.; Last in Line, Lynch Mob, March 22, to June 7; Clint Black, April 3, to Aug. 15; Cash Cab’s Ben Bailey, April 18, to Dec. 19; Sara Evans, April 24, to Aug. 28; LiveWire AC-DC tribute concert, April 25, to Aug. 29; Accept, Blackfoot, April 30, to Sept. 3; The Mavericks, May 1, to Oct. 23; Daughtry, May 3, to March 13, 2021; The Ultimate Johnny Cash Tribute Starring Terry Goffee, May 5, to Sept. 15; “Jukebox Saturday Night: A Tribute to the Big Bands,” May 7, to Sept. 21; “Lights Out - The Music of Frankie Valli,” May 7, to Sept. 16; Get The Led Out, May 8, to July 4; “Branson Fever: Featuring Dave Rehrig as Conway Twitty and Elena Mac as Loretta Lynn,” May 12, 13, to Sept. 22, 23; Dark Star Orchestra, May 15, to July 12; Josh Turner, May 28, to Oct. 25; REO Speedwagon, June 3, to Dec. 16; Roots & Boots, June 11, to Dec. 17; Tommy James and the Shondells, June 20, to Oct. 3; Trace Adkins, June 25, to Dec. 4. Canceled: Artimus Pyle Band, April 17; The Legendary Wailers, May 16. Still scheduled: Jackyl, May 29; Voyage: The Ultimate Journey Tribute, May 30; Old Crow Medicine Show, June 4; Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives, June 6; The Disco Nights, June 1; John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, June 11; Kix, Autograph, June 19; The Iron Maidens, Girls, Girls, Girls, June 26; Dark Desert Eagles: Ultimate Eagles Tribute Band, June 27. Check website for additional listings: www.pennspeak.com

Pennsylvania Playhouse, Bethlehem - Postponed: “Twelve Angry Jurors,” March 27 - April 19

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, DeSales University, Center Valley - Canceled: “A Chorus Line,” June 10 - 28; “Fences,” June 18 - July 5; “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” July 8 - Aug. 2; “Sense and Sensibility,” July 16 - Aug. 2; “An Iliad,” July 7 - 17; “Henry IV, Part 2,” July 22 - Aug. 2; “Charlotte’s Web,” May 29 - Aug. 1; “Luminosity Gala,” May 30; Dee Roscioli: ”In Concert,” June 22; “Shakespeare for Kids,” July 22 - Aug. 1; “The Screwtape Letters,” Anthony Lawton, July 27

Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra - Postponed: April 4, to Aug. 1

Pines Dinner Theatre, Allentown - Postponed: “Nunsensations! the Nunsense Vegas Revue., March 20 - May 10

PPL Center, Allentown - Postponed: “Trolls Live!,” April 10 - 12; “An Evening with Michael Bublé,” May 19; “Baby Shark Live!,” June 4, to Sept. 26. Next scheduled concert: The Doobie Brothers 50th Anniversary Tour, with The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, June 26

Regal Cinemas - Closed until further notice

Roxy Theatre, Northampton - Closed until further notice.

Sellersville Theatre - Postponed: Canned Heat, April 16; Jim Brickman, April 18; Marshall Crenshaw & Bottle Rockets, April 19; Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush, April 20; Hotel California: Eagles Tribute, April 23; Kurtis Conner, April 25; Angel & Starz, April 26; Steep Canyon Rangers, April 28; One for The Foxes, April 29; Becca Stevens, April 30; Shawn Colvin, May 2; Tannahill Weavers, May 3; Doro, May 4; Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas, May 6; Joan Shelley, May 10; Graham Parker, May 17. Canceled: Pushcart Players: “The Velveteen Rabbit Reborn,” May 5

Sigal Museum, Easton - Jane S. Moyer Library, historic houses temporarily closed

Sherman Theater, East Stroudsburg - Postponed: Nighttrain, Contraband, April 18; Tim Reynolds, Chicago Farmer, Copper Fields. May 8; Bark at the Moon: The Ultimate Tribute to Ozzy, Black Sabbath, May 9; Blues Traveler, May 22; The Amish Outlaws, May 23

State Theatre Center for the Arts, Easton - Closed until May 1. Postponed: The Fab Faux, March 14, to Sept. 12; Red Hot Chilli Pipers, March 21, to March 11, 2021; “One Night of Queen” by Gary Mullen & the Works, April 4, to Aug. 18; “The Daily Show Writers Comedy Tour,” April 18, to Nov. 21; The Orchestra: Former Members of ELO, April 25, to Aug. 13; Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band, June 6, to June 7, 2021; “Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show,” June 17; new date to be announced. Canceled: “The Color Purple,” May 2

Touchstone Theatre, Bethlehem - Postponed: “The Secret, Act 2,” April 3, 4; new dates to be announced. Canceled: 15th Annual Young Playwrights’ Festival & Gala, May 9

Wind Creek Event Center, Bethlehem - Postponed: Chelsea Handler, March 13, new date to be announced; Bill Maher, April 11, new date to be announced; Professional Boxing, March 14, to May 8; #imomsohard, May 29, to July 24; Air Supply, March 19, to June 19; Brit Floyd, March 21, 22, to Aug. 14, 15; Pitbull, March 26, to June 28; Reba McEntire, March 27, to July 18; Brian Regan, April 2, to June 26; Matt Fraser, April 18, to Aug. 27; David Foster, Katherine McPhee, April 19, to Oct. 18; Dennis DeYoung & The Music of Styx, April 25, to Nov. 7

Paul Willistein is editor of the Focus features section in the eight Lehigh Valley Press newspapers and on the eight Press websites. Email Paul Willistein: pwillistein@tnonline.com; friend Paul Willistein on facebook and follow Paul Willistein on Linkedin, Twitter and Instagram.