Toledo Opera has postponed all performances of Jeanine Tesori and Tazewell Thompson’s “Blue” amid a spike in COVID cases and hospitalizations in the community.

The announcement was made by the staff and board of the company who believe that “the safety of the community, performers, and staff is the top priority and postponing the performances is the most responsible course of action.”

The rescheduled dates for the performances of “Blue” are now August 26 and 28, 2022. In addition to the new dates, the Toledo Opera announced a new virtual programming schedule to compliment the future opening of “Blue” and will release a date in the future. All tickets purchased for the production will be honored on the postponed dates.

In a statement, Suzanne Rorick, executive director of Toledo Opera said, “Being a responsible community leader and taking our community’s concerns into account is part of who we are at Toledo Opera. Blue is too important of a project for us not to have a large audience benefit from the performances. It is well worth the additional effort to reschedule at this time. We will continue with our outstanding community programming focusing on Blue throughout the spring and summer months and August will be here before we know it.”

Alyssa Greenberg, PhD, community engagement director, Toledo Opera added, “We developed a comprehensive public programming series aligned with Blue with guidance from our Community Engagement Advisory Committee members and community partners. The silver lining of rescheduling is that it allows us more time to host virtual and eventually in-person events, with Blue as a means of leading public conversation and critical engagement on contemporary issues impacting our community.”

The company next presents Verdi’s “La Traviata” on April 22 and 24, 2022.