Adultery and betrayal: A classic tale comes to a historic theatre

Live stage performances have been few and far between since the pandemic arrived. But the Monticello Opera House is staging a classic play later this month with plenty of audience safeguards in place.

Seasoned director, Jeff Mandel, said the production—the stage adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlett Letter"—will feature some of the area's top performers.

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Three actors discuss the new set dressing during a rehearsal of The Scarlet Letter at the Monticello Opera House.

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Actor Alison Quinn paces the stage just moments before the nightly rehearsal of The Scarlet Letter begins at the Monticello Opera House.

Patrick Sternad / WFSU Public Media

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Actor Jordan Marcum stands in the audience and looks toward fellow cast members as they converse before rehearsal begins for The Scarlet Letter at the Monticello Opera House.

Patrick Sternad / WFSU Public Media

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Actors get into costume in preparation for a rehearsal of The Scarlet Letter at the Monticello Opera House.

Patrick Sternad / WFSU Public Media

"We're thrilled to have an excellent cast doing this, some of whom you've seen before in productions of mine or elsewhere around town."

And for those concerned about COVID-19, Mandel said the large auditorium and other precautions will provide reassurance.

"The play opens on Friday night, January 21st, plays that weekend and the next. The Friday and Saturday shows are at 8 p.m. The lobby and bar open at 7 p.m."

As for the performance space, the Monticello Opera House, built in 1890, is widely considered as having the best acoustics in North Florida.