LYNN — It won’t be long before the Lynn Auditorium is up and running again.
The performance venue — shuttered since early March — has been booking new shows, some of which are expected to open as early as this summer.
“The auditorium is a wonderful piece of Lynn,” said Auditorium general manager and the city’s Director of Community Development James Marsh. “And it will be back.”
While auditorium staff have been trying to book new acts since the venue shut down, Marsh said bands have only recently become comfortable enough with the virus to start booking shows.
A lineup is already prepared for the 2021 season, which will kick off with Mexican Christian singer Jesus Adrian Romero on May 22, a show that had already been planned but was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It really depends on how many people have bought tickets and if we can social distance,” said Marsh of the Romero show proceeding as planned.
The new virus restrictions under Phase 3, Step 2 of the state’s reopening plan, which began this week, allow for live performance venues to open at 50 percent capacity, with a maximum of 500 people.
Since the Lynn Auditorium normally seats 2,000, it will be allowing the maximum of 500 people into performances once it officially reopens.
Auditorium staff have identified how to space the seating so that audience members can remain COVID-19 safe.
Nine new shows have already been booked, Marsh said, including folk singer Ben Folds, the frontman and pianist of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five.
A Latin show, a 1980s show, a 1970s show, and two circus-style shows have also been booked for next year, Marsh said.
Two new bookings, Miriam Hernandez and Marisela, are already slated for run-times in October 2021 and February 2022.
Much like the entire arts community, the Lynn Auditorium has struggled during the pandemic.
“It’s not just the artists, it’s not just the auditorium. It’s the bartenders, it’s the security, it’s the ushers, it’s the box office,” said Marsh. “It’s definitely been our worst year.”
His office is awaiting information on a “shuttered businesses” grant from the government to help the auditorium financially, which he intends to apply for to make up for lost revenues.
Despite the struggles, Marsh is hopeful that the auditorium will return soon.
“Seeing where these numbers are going and hearing what the governor has to say, I’m optimistic that we can start doing something at a reduced capacity this summer,” he said.
Those who are interested can book tickets through the Lynn Auditorium website.
Guthrie Scrimgeour can be reached at [email protected].
