Brace yourselves, theater lovers! Mother Nature is throwing a major curveball, and stages across the US are going dark. A brutal winter storm is sweeping the nation, forcing theaters to cancel performances left and right. BroadwayWorld is your go-to source for live updates on all the closures and schedule changes impacting Broadway, touring shows, regional theaters, and other live events. Forecasters are warning of heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain, and dangerously low temperatures from January 23rd well into next week, potentially affecting hundreds of millions of people. Expect treacherous travel conditions and widespread power outages. Stick with us as we bring you the latest information on weather-related cancellations and advisories. But here's where it gets controversial... how much should theaters prioritize safety vs. the show must go on attitude? Let's dive in!
Here's a rundown of the latest cancellations:
Charlotte, North Carolina:
- Charlotte Comedy Theater: Unfortunately, if you were planning on a laugh-filled weekend, you're out of luck. The Charlotte Comedy Theater has announced the cancellation of all weekend shows due to the severe weather. Check their Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/DTyiqWkAXg9/) for details and updates, or visit their website: (https://charlottecomedytheater.com/)
Chicago, Illinois:
- Little Shop of Horrors - Marriott Theatre: Audrey II will have to wait! The Marriott Theatre has canceled the January 23rd, 7:30 pm performance of Little Shop of Horrors for the safety of their patrons. The venue is encouraging ticketholders to contact the box office at 847-634-0200 to reschedule or make alternative arrangements. Find more information here: (https://www.marriotttheatre.com/news/performances-cancelled)
Oklahoma:
- Mozart’s Gran Partita - Tulsa Symphony: The Tulsa Symphony has made the tough call to cancel Sunday’s Symphony Sessions performance of Mozart’s Gran Partita at TU’s Lorton Performance Center on January 25th. The good news? All ticket holders will receive a full refund, automatically processed to the original form of payment. For questions or more information, email info@tulsasymphony.org or call 918-584-3645. You can also find updates on their Facebook page: (https://www.facebook.com/TulsaSymphony/)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania:
- The Magic of Rob Lake - F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts: Abracadabra... the show has been rescheduled! Due to the anticipated weather, The Magic of Rob Lake, originally scheduled for Sunday, January 25th, 2026, has been moved to a later date. All tickets will be honored for the new date. If you prefer a refund, they are available for 30 days from the original point of purchase. More information can be found here: (https://kirbycenter.org/show/the-magic-of-rob-lake/)
Rhode Island:
- Suffs - Providence Performing Arts Center: Bad news for those hoping to see Suffs this Sunday. The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) and the Suffs production team have canceled both the 1 PM matinee and the 6:30 PM evening performances on January 25th due to the severe weather forecast. Ticketholders who purchased tickets directly from the PPAC Box Office or through ppacri.org (https://clk.ppacri.org/e/er?s=3634394&lid=233&elqTrackId=302A1171847AD9E2BE89F4393E9097E7&elq=690a7c16192b441d95694162a3a172d8&elqaid=1081&elqat=1&elqak=8AF5734CFA66176A09553BE016F8A1E2B44935A9F2F6DE272DDC73B0861E58878236) will receive automatic refunds within five to seven business days. For further details, visit: (https://www.ppacri.org/)
Washington, DC:
Studio Theatre: The Studio Theatre has announced some changes to their reading schedule. The reading of Do You Think I'm Annoying? by Jesse Jae Hoon has been moved to Saturday, January 24th, at 2:30 pm. The other two readings scheduled for Saturday, the stranger by Sam Walsh and Aya by Fernanda Coppel, will proceed as planned. However, the reading of Dead Girl's Quinceañera by Phanésia Pharel, originally scheduled for Sunday evening, has been canceled. The Studio Theatre plans to reschedule this reading in the future, so stay tuned for updates: (https://studiotheatre.org/)
Theater J: Theater J has canceled all performances scheduled for Saturday, January 24th, and Sunday, January 25th, due to the impending winter storm. The affected performances have been rescheduled for Saturday, January 31st, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 1st, at 2 p.m. More details can be found here: (https://www.edcjcc.org/theater-j/)
This is a rapidly evolving situation, so be sure to check back for the latest updates. And this is the part most people miss... Always confirm with the venue directly before heading out, even if you don't see it listed here. Better safe than sorry!
What do you think? Are these cancellations the right call, or should the show always go on, regardless of the weather? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Perhaps there could be an alternative solution, such as online viewing options like streaming the content of the show. What about offering discounted tickets for a future show to those who braved the storm and made it to the theater, only to find out the show was cancelled? Let's discuss!
