For the first time in 58 years, Shakespeare In the Park’s summer season, New York Public Theaters’s free annual summer festival dedicated to William Shakespeare’s work, will be canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. This year’s season was meant to include Saheem Ali’s production of Richard II at the Delacorte Theater.

Apart from Shakespeare In the Park, the theater has also cancelled its Lower Manhattan performances through August 31 including Erika Dickerson-Despensa’s Cullud Wattah.

“While our stages remain dark, our commitment to our mission will burn brighter than ever,” tweeted the theater. “Our promise to you is that we will keep working tirelessly to bring you glorious work by our incredible artists.”

READ MORE:

‘Greenleaf’ Sets Summer Return On OWN

WATCH: Actual Footage Of ‘The Clark Sisters’ Scene Where Denise Speaks At Funeral

NYC’s Shakespeare In The Park To Include All-Black Production Of ‘Much Ado About Nothing,’ Led By Danielle Brooks