The novel coronavirus 2019 pandemic isn't just emptying gyms and athletic fields around Butler County. The precautions against infection have dimmed the house lights on some high school musicals.

The upcoming Butler High School musical, “The Wizard of Oz,” scheduled to be performed March 20 and 21, has been postponed indefinitely.

“Wizard of Oz” director Dale VanLaningham said about rescheduling, “We do not have a date yet, but we know it's going to be at least three to four weeks.

“If you have already bought tickets, they will be honored — Friday for Friday, Saturday for Saturday — when we know the dates.”

Those who bought advance tickets can either use them at a later date or return them to May's Music Shoppe, 247 E. Jefferson St., for a refund.

“We are going to do refunds for one week as far as doing them at the store,” said Josh May, owner of the shop. “We think it is fair to do refunds up until what would have been opening night (March 20).”

VanLaningham said the plan was to have the technical rehearsal March 13 and then rehearse one day a week until new play dates have been decided.

Seneca Valley High School's musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” which opened last weekend, had its March 13 and 14 performances canceled.

The Mars High School musical, “Mamma Mia,” slated to be performed May 20 and 21, has been postponed tentatively until April 3 and 4. Director Jennifer Kennedy said that more information will be made available soon.

Freeport High School canceled its planned performances Friday, Saturday and Sunday of its musical, “42nd Street,” said producer Tom Koharchik, adding the school is working to get it rescheduled.

Curtain still rises

But in other theaters, the show must go on.

Both Union High School and Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School are continuing the performances of their musicals, both scheduled through Saturday, March 14.

The Butler Little Theatre production of “An Inspector Calls,” which started Friday, will continue its run until its scheduled end March 21, according to Dennis Casey, director of the production and a member of the theater's board of directors.

“We have no thought of postponing. Our theater only has 150 seats and the guidelines say gatherings of more than 250 should be canceled,” Casey said.

“There's been no cases in Western Pennsylvania yet,” said Sue Collar, BLT board chairwoman. “We feel comfortable in going on with the production at this time.

“The community continues to support us. They should come and see it and maybe get away from all this crazy for awhile,” she said.

COVID-19 precautions have also curtailed other entertainments.

The March 19 “Night of Shenanigans” event at the Recon Brewery, planned by Newhaven Court at Clearview senior living community in conjunction with other regional organizations as a fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Association, has been postponed. Anyone with advance tickets should call 724-477-8701.