The Hollywood Bowl is cancelling its 2020 summer season, prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was announced Wednesday.
The move marks the first time in 98 years that the iconic amphitheatre located in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles has cancelled its season. Shows have never ceased for more than two weeks during the last 100 summers at the Bowl.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Assn., which manages the venue, cited a lack of resolution on the coronavirus crisis as the reason for the season cancellation. Amid the cancellation, the orchestra is already facing a $80 million budget shortfall, the Los Angeles Times reports.
“To protect its audiences, musicians, employees, and community from the spread of COVID-19 and in response to the evolving guidance from Governor Gavin Newsom, Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Los Angeles County health officials, the LA Phil is canceling the remainder of its concerts for the 2019/2020 season at Walt Disney Concert Hall,” the website states.
“We will continue to closely monitor updates and recommended guidance from our public health experts during this unprecedented and fast-developing situation. From all of us at the LA Phil, stay safe and healthy, and we look forward to inviting you back to experience great music soon.”
Ticket holders are given the option to either exchange their tickets for a future season performances or can donate their tickets. Donated tickets will support the musicians, teachers, students, and staff of the venue’s orchestra, “ensuring that our community is alive with music, today and always,” they said.
(Excerpt) Read more in: The Hollywood Reporter