NEW YORK – The coronavirus has put the kibosh on another beloved holiday activity, forcing Radio City Music Hall to officially cancel the rest of the Rockettes’ “Christmas Spectacular” shows for 2021.

>> Read more trending news

Citing “the growing challenges of the pandemic”, the emblematic dance troupe confirmed Friday evening via Twitter that the holiday window was closed until the end of the year.

“We were hoping to get through the season and are honored to have hosted hundreds of thousands of fans at over 100 shows over the past seven weeks,” the Rockettes wrote.

>> Related: Radio City Rockettes Returns For ‘Christmas Spectacular’ After Forced COVID-19 Break

The Christmas Show was scheduled to run through Jan. 2 with multiple performances each day, The New York Times reported.

The production has been viewed by more than 69 million people since its debut in 1933, WABC reported.

The news came hours after the troupe canceled all four Friday performances after an unknown number of groundbreaking COVID-19 cases were diagnosed within the company, WLNY reported.

Meanwhile, a series of high-profile Broadway shows – including “Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations”, “Hamilton”, “MJ The Musical”, “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical ”- had already canceled performances at least until Sunday, citing groundbreaking COVID-19 infections, the TV station reported.

According to the Times, seven of the 32 shows currently airing on Broadway spoke of coronavirus concerns during the cancellation of Friday night performances, and an eighth, a “Company” cover, was cut short 10 minutes after the curtain came up. when an actor fell ill.

Meanwhile, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has canceled all of its remaining performances for the week, while the Red Bull Theater has canceled its last Off Broadway performances of “The Alchemist” and Soho Rep has canceled the rest of its performances. of “While You Were Partying,” the newspaper reports.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul expressed concern after the state’s current number of COVID-19 cases more than doubled from just under 9,000 infections on Monday to around 21,000 on Thursday, reported the WLNY.

More coverage of the coronavirus pandemic:

>> Coronavirus: How long between exposure to the virus and the onset of symptoms?

>> What are your chances of coming into contact with someone with COVID-19? This tool will tell you

>> How not to let the fatigue linked to the coronavirus pandemic set in, fight back if this is the case

© 2021 Cox Media Group