Broadway to Close?- Page 11

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 10:18am

de Blasio stated in CNN this morning that the theater community can expect an announcement about changes soon.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 10:19am

Whether or not you're as likely, or more likely, to be exposed on mass transit as you are in a theatre isn't the point, though. Mass transit is a near-essential utility. Theatre is not. Risks need to be minimized where they can- and shutting down or limiting theatre is easier and less ruinous than shutting down subways and buses.

[BenElliott]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 10:20am

Maybe Broadway will be playing to smaller audiences. Maybe they'll be closing the mezzanines.

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 10:23am

BenElliott said: "Let's not put hundreds of people out of work."

 

Until this pandemic is over (we hope), each of us must make personal sacrifices for the public good.  If we don't, there likely will be plenty of jobs available for grave diggers.

 

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 10:25am

BenElliott said: "Maybe Broadway will be playing to smaller audiences. Maybe they'll be closing the mezzanines."

I don't want to sound like I'm not concerned, because I am...however, I have 3 shows planned in the next week at 3 touring houses. I feel like the smaller audience at Harry Potter in San Fran is (in theory) easier done, because its an open run. You can switch people. The tours, on the other hand are more difficult to give the audiences their shows, because if you have Hamilton, you would have to wait until there was an opening in the schedule to come back around.

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 10:27am

It's a shame that our fearless leader has no plans to close schools.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 10:42am

"No. Part of the role of government is to ensure the greater good and that involves minor "restrictions" on individual freedom or choices on a routine basis, and more significant constraints when merited. We can't rely on individuals, companies, et al, to set aside self-interest in times of crisis, so periodically the unthinkable has to be mandated."

I will agree to disagree. If Broadway shuts down, feel very sorry for those who will lose their paychecks. I think a lot of shows will not re-open if Broadway closes, hope I am wrong.

[binau]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 10:48am

If Broadway shuts down can there be special leave without pay agreements, pauses to rent etc. that might help shows viably re-open? My biggest fear is if unions try and get producers to pay actors and staff during the pause. Or if theatre owners try and still seek rent. Unless you are a gigantic show like Wicked, Hamilton etc. there is no way the smaller shows can survive closing and re-open again if they have to continue paying money during the down time.

[James885]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 10:50am

Agree with the majority in that I think it makes sense to close the theaters for the short term. Yes it'll be bad for everyone who works in the industry, but this is about slowing the spread of the virus however we can. And considering that Broadway audiences skew older and COVID-19 is more lethal for people ages 55+, it seems especially moronic not to take swift action. 

I feel sorry for everyone who stands be negatively impacted, but I think right now safety has to be everyone's highest priority. "The Show Must Go On" IMO doesn't hold much weight in this instance. 

Updated On: 3/12/20 at 10:50 AM

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 10:53am

I think there's also the idea that if we close now it may be short term if the virus can be controlled. If they wait too long, closings might have to be much longer. I feel the same way about school closing.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 10:53am

yankeefan7 said: ""No. Part of the role of government is to ensure the greater good and that involves minor "restrictions" on individual freedom or choices on a routine basis, and more significant constraints when merited. We can't rely on individuals, companies, et al, to set aside self-interest in times of crisis, so periodically the unthinkable has to be mandated."

I will agree to disagree. If Broadway shuts down, feel very sorry for those who will lose their paychecks. I think a lot of shows will not re-open if Broadway closes, hope I am wrong."

Extended closure will almost certainly doom most shows.

However, so will extended panic and reluctance to attend theater. Look at the houses of the newer shows for the next few weeks on Telecharge or Ticketmaster- it's not good. Travel restrictions will exacerbate this. 

There is no "good" option; it is choosing which is the less bad one. 

Updated On: 3/12/20 at 10:53 AM

[kaykordeath]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 10:54am

backwoodsbarbie said: "It's a shame that our fearless leader has no plans to close schools."

 

This is not accurate.
A "plan" has been announced/made public regarding individual schools with confirmed cases.

You can be sure than "plans" to close across the board are in the works and/or exist. 

This story is still literally developing by the hour.

[bdn223]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 10:56am

BenElliott said: "Maybe Broadway will be playing to smaller audiences. Maybe they'll be closing the mezzanines."

The "safer" thing to do would be close alternating rows of seats. So sell only seats in rows A, C, E, G, I, K...Etc, to allow for more space between theater goers. Also I would arguably not sell tickets for the first row of the orchestra due to bodily fluids that commonly come off actors.  Yes it would cut capacity in half, but I honestly wonder if insurance, which I am assuming most productions have will cover the difference in playing to 50% capacity and their running costs. In theory this might arguable turn more shows into "hits" as basic liability insurance should logically cover the cost of most productions capitalization costs, which would be lost if a production is forced to shut down, not by their own volition. Either that or I see a some sort of bail out by NY State/Federal government. 

[steven22]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 10:56am

I have a ticket to Whisper House I'm trying to get rid of. I paid $27.50, which I believe was a special price for the first few preview. Let me know if anyone wants it. Just asking what I paid.

It's for this Friday, March 13 at 7pm at 59e59.

[sppunk]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 10:57am

I hope they announce today because I have to cancel my hotel for Saturday night by early tomorrow or face a hefty fee. Same with train tickets.

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 10:58am

kaykordeath said: "backwoodsbarbie said: "It's a shame that our fearless leader has no plans to close schools."



This is not accurate.
A "plan" has been announced/made publicregarding individual schools with confirmed cases.

You can be sure than "plans" to close across the board are in the works and/or exist.

This story is still literally developing by the hour."

This "plan" won't work in NYC public schools. The students in my middle school have siblings in elementary and high schools. They hang out with kids from other schools in the parks, bodegas, and their apartment buildings. Closing one school is not enough. These confirmed cases will affect entire neighborhoods. If he closes schools now, it will help prevent a much larger situation. 

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 10:59am

steven22 said: "I have a ticket to Whisper House I'm trying to get rid of. I paid $27.50, which I believe was a special price for the first few preview. Let me know if anyone wants it. Just asking what I paid.

It's for this Friday, March 13 at 7pm at 59e59."

A friend of mine got a refund for that show, so just call them.

[JennH]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 11:00am

yankeefan7 said: ""No. Part of the role of government is to ensure the greater good and that involves minor "restrictions" on individual freedom or choices on a routine basis, and more significant constraints when merited. We can't rely on individuals, companies, et al, to set aside self-interest in times of crisis, so periodically the unthinkable has to be mandated."

I will agree to disagree. If Broadway shuts down, feel very sorry for those who will lose their paychecks. I think a lot of shows will not re-open if Broadway closes, hope I am wrong."

No one like this. Not a single person. But this is correct. Individuals will not comply unless forced. It's the nature of humans. We don't stop our daily routine until it's too late or until forced. But those same people complain about the gov't not doing enough so...

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 11:02am

bdn223 said: "BenElliott said: "Maybe Broadway will be playing to smaller audiences. Maybe they'll be closing the mezzanines."

The "safer" thing to do would be close alternating rows of seats. So sell only seats in rowsA, C, E, G, I, K...Etc, to allow for more space between theater goers. Also I would arguably not sell tickets for the first row of the orchestra due to bodily fluids that commonly come off actors.Yes it would cut capacity in half, but I honestly wonder if insurance, which I am assuming most productions have will cover the difference in playing to 50% capacity and their running costs. In theorythis might arguable turn more shows into "hits" as basic liability insurance should logically cover the cost of most productions capitalization costs, which would be lost if a production is forced to shut down, not by their own volition. Either that or I see a some sort of bail out by NY State/Federal government."

All this does is create some social distancing for the length of the show time only.  This doesn't do anything to address the line of people coming into the theater pre-show or stop lines for the bars and restrooms from existing.  

[Dollypop]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 11:04am

This morning was the first time I heard a television report that Gov. Cuomo may be closing all Broadway shows. Unfortunately I was in the other room at the time and didn't get the details.

[phan24]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 11:12am

Some companies are getting the news now before it goes public... A mandatory closing of Broadway for 30 days starting tonight.

[JennH]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 11:14am

phan24 said: "Some companies are getting the news now before it goes public... A mandatory closing of Broadway for 30 days starting tonight."

AND let the wild financial ride begin...this is going to devastate the city. 

[raddersons]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 11:16am

phan24 said: "Some companies are getting the news now before it goes public... A mandatory closing of Broadway for 30 days starting tonight."

What's your source?

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 11:17am

phan24 said: "Some companies are getting the news now before it goes public... A mandatory closing of Broadway for 30 days starting tonight."

 

Just my opinion but without proof that might not be something you would want to put out there until an official statement is issued.

 

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 11:18am

I came across this post yesterday. Hopefully this is helpful to some who may need an alternative source of income over the next few weeks. I think delivery services in particular will likely be in need of more people.

https://www.onstageblog.com/new-blog-1/2019/3/15/yu97k7nrkpmu18my1q7b5bw04t1kyi