Broadway League To Announce Further Broadway Closure til May 30th

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

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

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.

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

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 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.

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

Am I missing something. The announcement seems premature.

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

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.