ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Guests returned to the Geva Theatre after more than 500 days without a performance.

It was also the theatre’s first-ever musical held outside.

Artistic director Mark Cuddy says it was a unique challenge bringing a show outside.

Geva is currently hosting a performance of Ring of Fire, a Johnny Cash musical.

Cuddy says it's been a long time coming, especially for the roughly 10,000 season ticket holders, most of whom stuck it out during the shutdown.

He says it made for a very special first night

"Audiences, volunteer ushers, our staff, it was a little emotional to be together once again," Cuddy said. "Outdoors worked, it was a beautiful night, we're downtown, you get Rochester all around you. It was better than we could of hoped."

Masks are currently not required for the shows outside, only inside where the restrooms are.

Cuddy says the theatre will re-evaluate safety measures once shows move back inside at the end of September.