The COVID-19 pandemic hit Broadway in New York hard. It was closed for more than a year to stem the flow of the virus. Among other hits that slowly opened after a long hiatus in the last couple of months, ‘Aladdin‘, too, opened on Tuesday earlier this week. However, it was forced to close its door the next day after positive cases were reported within the musical company.

Disney Theatrical Productions said it will cancel Friday’s performance and all shows until October 12 after “additional breakthrough COVID-19 cases were detected.”

“This 12-day pause allows the ‘Aladdin’ company ample time to ensure that people with breakthroughs recover, and any other potential breakthroughs are identified before the ‘Aladdin’ company gathers again,” Dr. Blythe Adamson, the epidemiologist working with Disney Theatrical Productions, said in a statement.

So-called breakthrough infections are detected in vaccinated people and tend to be far less dangerous than those unvaccinated.

The epidemiologist said that she believes “these positive cases are most likely related to an exposure from one positive case.” She has instituted daily PCR testing as the show vowed to support “affected ‘Aladdin’ company members as they recover.”

“Aladdin,” a musical adaptation of the 1992 animated movie starring Robin Williams, opened on Broadway in March 2014 and has become one of its highest-grossing shows.

It was the first Broadway COVID-19 cancellation since shows resumed with Bruce Springsteen’s concert returning in July and “Pass Over” as the first play to debut in August.

The pandemic forced Broadway theaters to abruptly close on March 12, 2020, knocking out all shows and scrambling the spring season. Several have restarted, including the so-called big three of “Wicked,” “Hamilton” and “The Lion King.”

All tickets for the canceled performances will be refunded at the original point of purchase.

The United States, on Friday, crossed the grim milestone of 700,000 COVID deaths, data from Johns Hopkins showed. It took just over 3 months for the US to go from 600,000 to 700,000 deaths.

(with inputs from Associated Press)