A guest at final ‘Hamilton’ performance in Miami tests positive for coronavirus

Bianca Padró Ocasio
·2 min read

One person who attended the March 12 evening performance of “Hamilton” at the county-owned theater Arsht Center in Miami, the last performance of the show before it was canceled due to the spreading coronavirus, has tested positive for COVID-19.

In an email sent to ticket holders from that night, the arts center’s president and CEO, Johann Zietsman, said the Arsht Center was informed earlier Thursday that the guest did not show any symptoms the night of the musical’s performance. But two days later, the person developed symptoms associated with the novel coronavirus.

The patron sought medical care and tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, Zietsman said.

“Out of concern for the safety of other attendees and our staff, the guest shared this information with us and we are now immediately sharing it with you,” Zietsman wrote in the email, adding that the person was under quarantine at home.

The March 12 presentation was the last Hamilton performance before the Arsht Center canceled all other shows through April 5.

The center faced criticism for not canceling Thursday’s show after Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez declared a countywide state of emergency due to the coronavirus on Wednesday evening. By Thursday morning, Gimenez canceled the Youth Fair, scheduled to open that day, and announced concerts at the AmericanAirlines Arena were off. The mayor’s initial order did not include Arsht or other county-owned theaters, which his administration closed March 13.

The Arsht Center had initially said no refunds would be issued amid the emergency, but later said guests who had tickets for all other canceled shows could get their money back.

For ‘Hamilton’ in Miami, the shows go on amid coronavirus. No refunds in emergency

Zietsman added in the email that no other audience members have been in the building since that performance and the Arsht Center was implementing a series of safety measures, including wiping down touchscreens and “reinforcing hygiene practices” with staff and volunteers.

The center has not been informed of any other positive COVID-19 cases, Zietsman said.

“We have been in touch with local health officials,” Zietsman said. ”Our thoughts are with our guest and their family, and we wish them a quick recovery. We are grateful that they have shared this important health information with us.”