Broadway League To Announce Further Broadway Closure til May 30th

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 8:12pm

Formal announcement coming tomorrow, told it will be a leading story on tonights CBS 11pm news broadcast this evening.....

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 8:17pm

Yes, I was waiting for an official announcement from them. Thanks. 

[itsjustmejonhotmailcom]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 9:19pm

I heard the same, although heard it would be an article by Paulson in the Times.

[220Basswood]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 9:22pm

It is not unexpected and I confess I would not feel comfortable seeing The Music Man in April, which is when my tickets were changed to, but I wonder if I am going to be able to get tickets that are as good as the ones I had.  They were dead center in the 8th row.  Hopefully I will eventually be able to see Company and Hugh Jackman.

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 9:38pm

I would suspect that if CBS is announcing it, the other two will also. Someone posted online earlier that it would be an announcement tomorrow and closure was past May. But the time frame seemed to be speculation at that point.

[itsjustmejonhotmailcom]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 9:42pm

Would seem strange to have something like this announced on the local news. Makes sense CBS would get the scoop since they host the Tonys, but making this announcement on the local affiliate seems strange.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 9:50pm

Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be surprised if this announcement is followed by more shows announcing that they won’t be reopening (or opening at all). Although another delay was expected and inevitable, a formal announcement may be the final straw for some.

[RW3]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 9:52pm

*sighs deeply*

[Wick3]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 9:57pm

That means the 2020-2021 season is pretty much gone. I really hope Broadway will reopen on May 30th.

[Tag]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 9:58pm

May 30th, 2027 maybe.

[stoptheworld38]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 10:13pm

I'm getting sick of basically saying the same thing about every official/impending shutdown extension but I'm saying it yet again: I understand people's health and safety is the most important thing, but what I don't understand is why they need to make that decision literally almost 8 months in advance when there's no way to know if it's necessary, especially since there were definitely claims that we could see a gradual return throughout spring 2021. Plus they have to keep in mind the countless people who have been out of work all this time. Yes, health and safety of the performers and audience members should be a priority, but getting people back to work should also be a priority. It's not an easy decision, but regardless I don't understand the point in making it this far in advance. There's no way to say yet that stuff couldn't start to gradually come back with certain restrictions as soon as early 2021.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 10:22pm

So sad. Have to believe more shows will announce they won't be returning.

[MaddieBB12]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 10:27pm

ACL2006 said: "So sad. Have to believe more shows will announce they won't be returning."

I definitely agree, but I also feel like we've said that each time they closures have been extended. It's very sad that unfortunately, some shows won't return, but I do have to wonder why more shows have not made announcements yet. 

[FlyHigh523]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 10:51pm

I guess this means that it is official?

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 11:05pm

Yes, it's official. I wonder if we'll hear abouy shows not coming back due to this announcement.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 11:13pm

I wonder at what point casting notices will be sent out because every single show is going to have a basically brand new cast. I can’t imagine shows will have the same casts 15 months after they closed.

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 11:16pm

I tuned in to CBS. No mention of it so far.

[AndreyIsntHere]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 11:17pm

"Returning productions are currently projected to resume performances over a series of rolling dates beginning June 2021."
I wonder how that's going to work. I imagine they'd go by capacity? Theatres with a smaller number reopen first?

I wonder about the casts/crew/bands of shows too. I can't speak for any shows personally, but I will say that I follow HADESTOWN pretty heavily and almost everyone in the cast has said/implied that they're returning and/or want to return, but will they be able to? Most shows will probably be completely recast.

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 11:28pm

Am I missing something. The announcement seems premature.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 11:31pm

I agree, Jordan. Theater actors have already accepted new television and film jobs. They just can't be out of work for 15 months, so I also expect them all to have totally different casts as well. 

This is simply heartbreaking for all involved. 

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 11:44pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I wonder at what point casting notices will be sent out because every single show is going to have a basically brand new cast. I can’t imagine shows will have the same casts 15 months after they closed."

And will auditions be able to be held before May or starting in June? I suspect that will be a process. Then rehearsals. I would not be surprised if the new dates for exchanges start in September. But we have to see what this virus does and how people respond over the winter. JMO

 

[missthemountains]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 11:46pm

I think they should really say Fall 2021, because that's when the vaccine is allegedly going to be effective. I'd also like to notice why everyone's so disappointed right now: it's because they announced a date that wasn't possible. It's a much better move to announce a date that might seem extreme and come back early than this constant disappointment we're going through now. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/8/20 at 11:52pm

I mean this news isn’t exactly surprising. When they said March before I remember myself and most people here saying that maybe around March they could start auditions/rehearsals etc.

I also think the “rolling out” of shows makes sense as I’m sure shows won’t open until cast/crew have the vaccine. It’s easier and obviously safer for an audience to be masked and like Dr. Faucci said - we will be able to go back to the theater next year but we will need those masks for a while.

[IAMREADING]

Posted: 10/9/20 at 12:08am

Okay, there you go —
That’s the sum of it
Now you know

[Fosse76]

Posted: 10/9/20 at 12:36am

stoptheworld38 said: "...but what I don't understand is why they need to make that decision literally almost 8 months in advance when there's no way to know if it's necessary, especially since there were definitely claims that we could see a gradual return throughout spring 2021."

Those so-called claims were merely speculation. It isn't rocket science.  The resurgence in Brooklyn and Queens demonstrates that it just isn't safe. And it will take at least a year after a vaccine is developed for it to be effectively safe for such gatherings. It's basic virology. 

"Plus they have to keep in mind the countless people who have been out of work all this time. Yes, health and safety of the performers and audience members should be a priority, but getting people back to work should also be a priority."

That's pretty simplistic, but the situation is more complicated.  The reality is that health and safety is the main priority.  While the ramifications of the Broadway shutdown are severe, entertainment is the epitome of non-essential business, and it's ridiculous to hide behind unemployment to mask a selfish desire to run out and see Company. Live theater is simply not financially viable without a vaccine.  I don't know a single person working on Broadway who would risk their health for money simply because some people are bored at home. 

"There's no way to say yet that stuff couldn't start to gradually come back with certain restrictions as soon as early 2021."

Broadway and other live entertainment simply cannot survive financially unless they meet certain thresholds,  which are impossible with the necessary protocols needed for COVID-19.