Broadway Sacramento cancels show as wind intensifies. ‘Stay home,’ mayor says

A production of Broadway’s “Frozen” at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center in downtown Sacramento was canceled Wednesday night as strong winds intensified across the region.

Meanwhile, a Sacramento Kings home game scheduled for 7 p.m. at Golden 1 Center was still on as scheduled.

Mayor Darrell Steinberg said residents should avoid heading out as wind gusts eclipsed 45 miles per hour in some parts of the city.

“I know this may not be popular with my friends with the Kings and Broadway Sacramento – and I support them wholeheartedly – but I would urge people if at all possible to stay home,” the mayor said, moments before it was announced the Broadway production had been called off. “I just want people first and foremost to be safe. My message is safety first. Really the message is: put your safety and the safety of those around you first.”

Broadway Sacramento said it was calling off its 7 p.m. showing of “Frozen” “due to extreme weather conditions and the declared State of Emergency.”

“Currently, all other performances will run as scheduled,” the group wrote in an email to patrons. “In an effort to accommodate patrons who purchased into tonight’s sold-out show, Disney Theatrical Productions has added a performance of FROZEN on Wednesday, January 11th at 1:30 PM.”

Patrons who bought a ticket to Wednesday’s play “can click here to choose a refund or exchange” for the Jan. 11 show.

After a mostly-calm afternoon, the winds began to pick up around 3 p.m. throughout the region. The worst of the storm is expected to hit after 7 p.m., with up to 2.5 inches of rain in the forecast before conditions calm on Thursday.

This story was originally published January 4, 2023 at 5:37 PM.