Two arts organizations are postponing the final offerings in their 2019-20 seasons, and Stambaugh Auditorium is closing to visitors because of the COVID-19 virus.

Warren Philharmonic Orchestra won’t play its April 19 concert. Downtown Warren’s First Presbyterian Church, the site of the concert, is closed to gatherings until May 1.

WPO Conductor and Music Director Susan Davenny Wyner notified the musicians of the decision on Thursday.

“The arts and music are needed more than ever in these times, but the health and safety of our musicians, patrons, staff (and) audience members is paramount,” Wyner said. “I would even be concerned about gathering them all together to do a webcast at this point.”

Trumbull New Theatre in Niles won’t open William Shakespeare’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor” on May 1.

Board President Patience Miles said the board voted to postpone the show earlier this week. The community theater already had to cancel the last two weekends of the musical “The Spitfire Grill,” which opened March 6.

“We don’t have a summer season, so if everything dies down, we might be able to do them later,” Miles said.

“Spitfire Grill” only could be rescheduled if the performance rights are available. Shakespeare’s work no longer is under copyright protection and can be staged at any time without having to pay a fee.

Stambaugh Auditorium issued a statement Thursday that visitors would not be permitted in the Youngstown theater until further notice.

Starting today, phones for the administrative office and the Florence and Ward Beecher box office will be answered 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, although a further reduction in hours is expected next week.

All events at Stambaugh are postponed or canceled until the ban on public gatherings issued by Gov. Mike DeWine is lifted. The venue is working to reschedule events, but dates are unavailable because of the uncertainty of when Stambaugh will reopen.

Ticket holders will be notified by email when information becomes available.

agray@tribtoday.com