CHICAGO: Raven Theatre Company has announced the cancellation of its entire 2020-21 season, which was to include the world premiere of Mat Smart’s Eden Prairie, 1971. Also canceled were the previously announced Beautiful Thing by Jonathan Harvey and The Luckiest by Melissa Ross. The theatre has not yet announced plans to reschedule these productions.

“We continue to miss having artists and patrons in our theatre,” said artistic director Cody Estle and managing director Markie Gray in a joint statement. “Please know that this is simply a pause, one that will ensure another show will play on our stages. We are hopeful we can safely return to programming this fall.”

At this time, the theatre is hopeful to launch its 2021-22 season in the fall with the world premiere of Joshua Allen’s The Last Pair of Earlies, directed by Tyla Abercrumbie, which follows the hardships and hopes of a couple looking to live out a Southern dream on the South Side of Chicago.

Raven Theatre Company, founded in 1983, presents world premiere productions and revivals of classic plays.