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THEATER

The Vexler Theatre will shut down for now, closing the curtain on 22 years in the community

SAN ANTONIO – Local performance centers are making difficult decisions to survive after the state’s reopening following a year of coronavirus-related closures. The curtain is closing for The Vexler Theatre in the Barshop Jewish Community Center after 22 years for the time being. Saul Levenshus, president and CEO of the Barshop Jewish Community Center, says it was a business decision resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. JCC has invested close to $4 million in the theater over the last 22 years,” Levenshus said. It will be in other theaters around San Antonio and across the country,” Frazier said.

Opera adapts to pandemic, hosts drive-thru show in a parking garage -- and the results are stunning

DETROIT – When one thinks of the opera, images of a parking garage are unlikely to come to mind, but some unexpected creativity during the pandemic allowed people to experience the opera from their vehicle. This proves it: When you can’t pack people into a theater, you find another way to perform. Michigan Opera Theatre opened its season in late December this way. Each act performed on a different level of the opera house garage. Watch nextREAD: Michigan Opera Theatre names Yuval Sharon new artistic director

‘Punch to the gut:’ San Antonio theater director shares struggle during COVID-19 pandemic

SAN ANTONIO – Editor’s note: This content was created exclusively for KSAT Explains, a weekly streaming show that dives deep into the biggest issues facing San Antonio and South Texas. In the midst of a pandemic that’s forced people to stay physically distant, live music and performance venues have been hit particularly hard. Local director and choreographer Lizel Sandoval is one of the countless artists who has been out of a job for months. “I made a decision to leave my day job and focus on my contract work and to become a stay at home mom for my twins,” Sandoval said. “These kiddos had worked so hard.”Every single contract job she had lined up for the year was canceled.

'Chariots of Fire,' 'Lord of the Rings' actor Ian Holm dies

FILE - In this Dec. 12, 2012 file photo, actor Ian Holm appears at the premiere of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" in London. Holm, the acclaimed British actor whose long career included roles in Chariots of Fire and The Lord of the Rings has died, his agent said Friday. Holm died peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by his family and carer, his agent, Alex Irwin, said in a statement. (Photo by Jon Furniss/Invision/AP, File)LONDON Ian Holm, an acclaimed British actor whose long career included roles in Chariots of Fire and The Lord of the Rings has died. Holm died peacefully Friday morning in a hospital, surrounded by his family and carer, his agent, Alex Irwin, said in a statement.

Family hopes to rebuild after home filled with theater memories goes up in flames

San Antonio – A San Antonio family is asking for help from the community after fire officials told them a lightning bolt caused a fire that destroyed their mother’s home of 50 years. “My immediate response was, ‘What!’”Piano destroyed by fire (KSAT)“It was at about 3 a.m., January 11,” said Missy Miller Berlet, another daughter. Marjorie Miller (Courtesy Becky King) (KSAT)Marjorie Miller was sleeping when the fire broke out, but she made it out safely. She hasn’t seen it yet.”That home was filled with many theatrical memories as their entire family has always been a part of the theater. Marjorie Miller (Courtesy Becky King) (KSAT)“Our mother was on the board of the San Antonio Ballet Company, what used to be little San Antonio Theater, as well as Josephine Theater and Alamo City Theater,” King said.

Get an inside look at the Broadway tour of Miss Saigon

Majestic Theater – For Jackie Nguyen & Matthew Overberg being in the ensemble for the National tour of Miss Saigon is more than just a job. Both have personal connections to the story about a young girl named Kim forced to work in a bar after her family is killed in the Vietnam war. They sat down with KSAT News @ Nine producer Lexi Salazar to share their connection to the show and tell what audiences can expect from this Broadway classic. Miss Saigon is playing at the Majestic Theater until January 12th. For more info about the show click here and for ticket information click here.