Despite the best efforts of cast and crew, two of three weekends of the current production by Town Players of Newtown have been canceled.

Good People opened the weekend of March 11, with Newtown Bee Theater Reviewer Elizabeth Young describing the production as “a fierce, funny, and exacting treatment" of David Lindsey-Abaire’s Tony Award-winning play. The production was scheduled to continue for two additional weekends, to March 26.

Last week, however, the company issued an e-mail announcing the cancellation of the March 18-20 shows “due to unforeseen circumstances.” Refunds were promised to those who had already reserved tickets for the weekend.

A second email, this time from Town Players President Brian DeToma, on March 24 shed light on the circumstances and extended the cancellations.

“…one of our actors, despite being fully vaccinated, boosted and having proof of vaccination for COVID-19 tested positive,” DeToma wrote in his message. The actor in question quarantined and has since tested negative, he also noted.

“For the safety of all involved the production has been cancelled,” the statement continued.

Those who purchased tickets for the upcoming weekend will receive a full refund from Brown Paper tickets, the vendor used by the local theater company, within 6-10 days, according to the notice.

“We have also once again had the theater fully cleaned and sanitized,” DeToma also noted in his announcement. “Again we strive to always live up to ‘the show must go on’ but in these extraordinary times it just is not always possible.”

Those with questions, or who do not receive their refunds in a timely fashion, are encouraged to contact the company via e-mail, info@newtownplayers.org.

Auditions are planned for Sunday, March 27, for a May production of J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls. The second production of the 2022 season is currently scheduled for a May 6-21 run at The Little Theatre.

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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.