Tom Wopat News

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Performances of the world premiere of the new musical A Catered Affair and the American premiere of Oscar and the Pink Lady have been canceled for Oct. 23, according to an Old Globe spokesperson.

The 7 PM shows on both stages — the Old Globe Theatre (Catered Affair) and the Cassius Carter Centre Stage (Pink Lady) — have been canceled. Patrons will be contacted by the Globe to arrange tickets to alternate performances, the Old Globe told Playbill.com. Ticketholders may also contact The Old Globe box office at their own convenience during regular office hours at (619) 23-GLOBE (234-5623).

More than a dozen wildfires have continued to burn across seven counties of California — including Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. Many buildings and homes have been destroyed while thousands are being evacuated. President George Bush has declared a state of emergency for the affected areas following Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's earlier declaration.

Staff at the nearby La Jolla Playhouse evacuated the theatre Oct. 22, and the office was again closed Oct. 23 due to poor air quality, according to a theatre rep. As of yesterday, the blazes did not pose any threat to to the theatre itself, though many staff members are also being evacuated from their homes. No rehearsals for the upcoming production of Cry Baby have been missed, as the company was scheduled to travel to the venue this week.

The Old Globe currently houses A Catered Affair (through Nov. 11), the new musical by librettist Harvey Fierstein and composer-lyricist John Bucchino based on the Paddy Chayefsky teleplay. John Doyle directs the debut of the Broadway-bound work featuring Faith Prince, Tom Wopat, Matt Cavenaugh, Leslie Kritzer and Fierstein himself.

The Old Globe also presents Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt's Oscar and the Pink Lady (through Nov. 4). Frank Dunlop directs the stateside premiere of the work featuring Rosemary Harris. For more information, visit theoldglobe.org.