Broadway By Fall?

the fall is what we have been anticipating for quite a while for the first crop of shows and, barring any serious setbacks, is still on track. [Yay!]

I imagine that first small batch of shows could hit the ground running sometime between Halloween and Thanksgiving.

I think September was the recent goal, but this may get moved up now. Start in mid-July with some select shows, then a few more by Labor Day and have most shows re-opend by Thanksgiving? We have to remember that every show will need rehearsal time. On stage and in a rehearsal room. I hope this speeds up reopening of things. Of course there's the anti-vaxxers, but I'd be okay if they weren't allowed into a theaer right away.

September 22 is the first day of fall

Mask are require for all theater in Australia and Korea. There's no social distancing for either.

Matt Doyle said on his Twitch stream tonight that he got an email from one of the producers of Company today, March 2nd (which was the anniversary of their first preview) saying that "the hope and goal is for the fall."  He said it's looking likelier every day, especially after Biden's updated May timeline.  As someone who's starting college in New York State in the fall, I'd love for at least one of the show's opening nights (preferably Dear Evan Hansen and/or Hadestown) to coincide with Columbus Day weekend. 

shows that do not depend heavily on tourism will happen first. It is going to take a long time to get tourism anywhere close to where it was. The city forecasters are saying 2025. I think that might be a bit pessimistic but for the 21-22 season I expect things to be running at about 1/3 of the old normal and I think the big old reliables are going to be lagging, if they ever get back. If Hamilton does come back prematurely, it will be sui generis. I personally don't think it will be sustainable. Of course, no one knows anything. 

I think there will be some efforts at that, but again I think it is going to be limited in cases where the audiences are simply not here yet. Could the Weisslers draw a crowd to see [pick a star: I'll use Bryan Cranston as a placeholder] as Billy Flynn? I don't think so. But who knows. As an esteemed (now dead) producer once said to me, do not underestimate the stupidity of a Broadway producer.

I live in California, and while Broadway probably wouldn't be my first trip, I am very excited about the prospect of shows reopening. My wife and I have gotten into the habit of spring trips to New York City in recent years, and I have done almost nothing - except work from home - since almost a year ago. 

I am especially eager to attend shows at local theaters, which have worked so hard to keep people connected. Just the thought of seeing a play or musical in person gives me a thrill. And yes, it would be rather nice to see In the Heights in an actual movie theater this summer.(whether I like the adaptation or not). 

Theaters in the San Francisco Bay Area have all had these hopeful schedules starting this fall. It would be terrific if they actually happened. All I know is that I'll be seeing plenty of shows and planning a Broadway trip.

As for how things will do, I suspect that will depend on how the vaccines work and whether there are a lot of outbreaks. If there are problems, many tourists will probably postpone trips to New York City. If things go smoothly, I think everyone will be amazed how quickly things return to something resembling normal. A vaccine that works is different from the situation in Australia now - as well as they've handled it. We'll have to see how it goes.