Tragedy or happy ending? Here’s what’s happening to Idaho Shakespeare Festival season

When the coronavirus arrived, Idaho Shakespeare Festival organizers were unsure what the summer held in Boise.

Weeks later, the plot is a predictable tragedy — but with a possible happy ending.

ISF has canceled the first two productions of its season: Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” and the Fats Waller musical “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” The former was slated to open May 22; the latter in early June.

Producing artistic director Charles Fee and managing director Mark Hofflund made the joint announcement Tuesday — describing it as “very difficult news.”

“The earliest possible date for the Idaho Shakespeare Festival amphitheater to open will be the window of June 13-26,” they wrote in a letter posted on ISF’s website, “during Stage Four of Idaho Rebounds: Our Path to Prosperity, the plan from Gov. Brad Little, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and the Governor’s Economic Rebound Advisory Committee.

“As hard as it is, sometimes the show cannot go on, particularly when the health and safety of our community, artists and patrons is at stake.”

Fee — who is the producing artistic director at ISF’s sister companies, Great Lakes Theater in Cleveland and The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival — already has felt the negative impact of the pandemic. His production of “Much Ado About Nothing” was closed in Cleveland after its first full run-through — all of its preproduction costs already spent. He also canceled the Cleveland rehearsal and run of “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”

Although the season itself has been postponed, not canceled, Fee and Hofflund have asked ISF patrons to “consider making a plan for all of your tickets this season, in the event we are unable to perform in July, August or September.” Choices include a refund, rebooking another show or donating tickets to ISF in support of future work.

“You will find options on the form linked below,” they explained on Facebook, “including ‘I’m just not sure yet’ or ‘Please give me a call, we need to talk.’ ”

“As theaters around the world remain closed, we count on you, the festival’s loyal supporters, to stand by us as we deal with whatever eventualities present themselves. Trust, please, that we will do everything in our power to keep artists, staff, and volunteers safe, and to give you an unforgettable season when the time is right. We’ll be together again, under Idaho’s starry skies and moonlit nights.”

Online: idahoshakespeare.org.

Reporter Dana Oland contributed to this article.

This story was originally published April 29, 2020 at 2:14 PM.