Broadway to Close?- Page 20

[jagman1062]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 7:59pm

Just received an email message from Theater Row:

"... we have decided to suspend all programs in our theaters, rehearsal studios, and public spaces through April 1."    They will continue to monitor the situation.  Ticketholders can call Telecharge with any questions.  For people who who want to donate the value  of their ticket to the non-profit theater company, they can contact the company directly.  

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 8:02pm

I don't know if anyone else on here had tickets to Plaza Suite, but the Hudson Theatre is ONLY taking inquiries regarding tickets by phone, and they are NOT automatically refunding anyone. The only way to "discuss options" as they worded it is to wait in an extremely queue on the phone or go in person to the box office. I think this is terrible customer service.

[Kitsune]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 8:04pm

Miles2Go2 said: "I hope you’ll allow my post that is only tangentially related to the thread. Maybe it gives a broader perspective of what we’re facing. Maybe not.

I had an experience that left me pretty shaken up today. During my lunch hour at my worksite, I was talking to my doctor’s office in the hallway about whether it’s safe to visit my 83 y.o. mom at her nursing on Sunday. Since I’m traveling, I don’t know who I’m encountering and I don’t if I’m symptom-free if that means I’m not infected or just asymptotic (and therefore capable of being a “carrier&rdquo. I also found out I’m not eligible to be tested. The state health department and CDC are only testing those who have traveled to certain countries and are exhibiting symptoms (understandable as the federal government i.e. the White House dropped the ball by not ensuring we had enough tests ready ahead of time to accommodate everyone). Apparently, people in office nearby overheard part of my conversation and reported me to HR, stating I had been exposed and was possibly inflected... I lived through this **** during the AIDS epidemic. The fear, the gossip mongering, the lies. Site coordinator was apologetic. We should be very concerned and be utilizing universal precautions regarding the virus, but this is what happens when people panic. HR guy said if I was lying to him about not being knowingly exposed to an infected person or infected myself, there could be legal ramifications. He was an a$$.

I just got off phone with Oklahoma Health Department. They said my concerns are valid. Incubation period appears (based on available knowledge) to last 2 to 14 days. So I have to use that information to help determine when I could visit her again. I also have another work trip next week (then nothing thankfully until April 12). So no visit this Sunday for sure. I depend on our visits to keep a routine, help keep her oriented (a little) and to lift her spirits (and mine).
"

I'm so sorry this happened to you, Miles. One of my colleagues is fielding calls about covid-19 in our county. This kind of tattletale-ing clogs up the lines, and takes resources away from people with more serious issues. Hope everything is okay with your mom.

[iwuldwf]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 8:06pm

I don’t use TodayTix very often, but I do have one upcoming ticket with them. Per their email, instead of refunds they’ll be sending out voucher codes worth 110% of the order being cancelled, valid for a year.

[Balcony Bill]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 8:11pm

I was dreaming of getting  to see Patti sing The Ladies Who Lunch. Did they really need to close the theatre? If that virus had dared to enter, Patti could have screamed at it, stopped the show, and had an usher escort it back to China.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 8:31pm

Not sure if this was posted or not

"No one at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre has tested positive for Coronavirus,” producers said in a statement to Deadline. “One member of the company has a fever and out of an abundance of caution the Moulin Rouge! The Musical producers made the decision earlier today to cancel both performances. Since that decision was made, under the direction of Governor Andrew Cuomo, Broadway shows in New York City will now suspend all performances immediately in support of the health and well-being of the theatregoing public, as well as those who work in the theatre industry. Performances are planned to resume the week of April 13, 2020.”

https://deadline.com/2020/03/moulin-rouge-broadway-coronavirus-cancel-performances-1202881234/

 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 3/12/20 at 9:40pm

Just received this from Audience Rewards:

If you purchased tickets to a cancelled show participating in the Audience Rewards program, you will be automatically refunded from your point of purchase. If you redeemed points to see a show through Audience Rewards, points and any payment will be refunded for anyone holding a ticket to a cancelled performance through 4/12/20. No further action is required.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 1:23am

ArtMan said: "Jarethan said: "Scarlet Leigh said: "One has to wonder what is a better option for them IF they are given the CHOICE.

Suspend performance for a few weeks, refunding the tickets but saving on operational costs. The pros being total public safety and not spending money on operations but obvious con the the cast and crews will not be getting a paycheck and lose of revenue on 100% of ticket sales in this time.

NOT TO MENTION that this would cause a TOTAL distribution to the season for awards. Shows that would open or start previews in this time frame will risk becoming ineligible for the Tony awards unless exceptions are made to the rules allowing for shows effected in this time frame to still be considered should their opening be delayed beyond the original window of qualification. With Six opening tonight, it COULD end up being the last show to officially qualify under the rules.

OR

Continuing performances and let ticket holders make that choice for themselves while still allowing those not willing to take that risk/can't travel due to restrictions the option of a refund. The pro here is that the cast and crew are still getting paid and they will not be refunding all tickets while the cons here are of course safety but also spending the same operational costs as normal to play to partial or severely discounted houses.

It's a tough call to make and it's possible that the choice will soon be taken from them all together."



i hope that I misread your intention. I love the Tony's as much as anyone, but to include the Tony's as a factor in determining whether to cancelperformances or not is about as shallow and unthinking an observation as I have read here. I hope that I am just misreading it.

In dealing with an issue that has to potential to be devastating for many, even mentioning impact on an awards program and impact on contenders as a decision factor is incomprehensible to me.

I have to admit that I am all over the place on this issue. I live in Florida and am 69 years old. I am in very good health for my age. Never smoked, tobacco products at least, but washospitalized for a week with a bad case of pneumonia 27 years ago, after flying around the world on business in 6 days (Newark-Tokyo-Singapore-London-Newark). I have tickets to 5 productions in the next 2 weeks, expect no refunds and no ability to exchange tickets, based on performance schedules. Despite having to eat (for my wife and I) about $800 in tickets (four of the tickets are atnon-profits), I am not considering going. Sunk cost, minimize risk, etc.

Despite this, I am personally in the camp that believes that, when this thing has passed, we are probably going to look back and conclude that the impact on (previously heathy) virus contractors was pretty minimal STATISTICALLY. But, then I say...why take a chance?

Somewhere in this thread, a person mentioned that he lived with his mother who was in bad health (I seem to recall lung-related, but that may not be accurate), but that hewas seeing Virginia Woolf that night. My immediatereaction was that that was an incredibly selfish act. I know everyone wants to see Laurie Metcalf as Martha and all that, but FOR ME that is taking a lot of risk to see something that, while a masterpiece, is revived constantly and also has a great movie for a Va. Woolf fix. Not the same same as live, but is it really worth taking the chance of risking his mother's life.

For two decades (1970s and 1980s), I saw virtually every Broadwayshow that opened, including a number of real stinkers. Then we had a child and and another and thenI took a job 500 miles away from NYC. Two toddlersand distance meant that I attended NY theatre much less from 1990to 1992, andrarely got to the NY theatre from mid-1992until about 2005, otherthan on business trips in the latter years. I have often lamented the fact that I missed a lot of great shows and --although, I may have seen a number of the musicals on tour -- it is not the same thing, plus the vast majority of limited engagement (and not so limited) plays were lost to me. I used to get so frustrated at what I missed but, reflecting back, in the cosmic order of things, life went on. If

I were in close proximity to elderly people, particularly unhealthy ones, I would suck it up for a while (assumption...this one will run its course) and stay home.

 

"

Jarethan, Why are you eating the money for your tickets? I hope you at least pursue a refund. I cancelled a tour to Europe that I was going to in May, right at the beginning of this crisis. I got diagnosed with kidney disease at about the same time and felt it was not wise for me to be three plane rides away from home. Had I listened to other people, I would be out $1069, $969 for plane ticket and $200 land deposit. Full payment was due March 1. I pursued a possible refund with the airline and was surprised to find out they refunded the whole amount back to tour company. Of course, tour company said nothing. I ended up getting $649 back. Tour company stated airline kept $320 for fee, when airline stated I got full refund. I am disputing the $320 now on credit card. Let them prove how much I got back from airline. Now they have cancelled all tours. I am going after the $200 they kept for land deposit. My point is, originally I thought I would be out the entire amount."

Four of the tickets are for non-profits; they have not cancelled performances thus far and, in two cases, the specific shows are ending their couple of month runs as planned, so I can't even exchange them for a later date; in one case, the (actually very good) Sarasota Ballet is only doing three performance of Romeo and Juliet in Sarasota, so there is also no ability to exchange for a later date.  One non-profit I can probably exchange for a later date, but the play in question ends in 3 or 4 weeks.  The fifth is at our large touring theatre, which has not yet cancelled performances; we have tickets to see Harry Connick in a week.  Those are the only tickets that actually cost much money.  My inclination is to support local theatre and eat the price of the non-profits.  If Connick is cancelled, I will definitely expect a refund.

 

[BenElliott]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 1:28am

A few friends of mine work in merch and concessions and are freaking out right now. They're suddenly out of work with rent and student loan payments due. This truly is a sucky situation.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 1:53am

I expect that most creditors will be extremely understanding in the next few months.

[BenElliott]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 9:39am

dramamama611 said: "I expect that most creditors will be extremely understanding in the next few months.
"

They won't.

My hours got drastically cut this month because of the virus and so I can't make my $750 student loan payment this month and they're sending me threatening emails on the daily.

Absolutely ridiculous.

[JennH]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 9:40am

dramamama611 said: "I expect that most creditors will be extremely understanding in the next few months.
"

"This is "Murica"...nah, your on your own. You should have been better with your money".  Sadly as you can see, I'm pessimistic about that thanks to America's pure capitalist, workhorse culture. 

BenElliott said: "A few friends of mine work in merch and concessions and are freaking out right now. They're suddenly out of work with rent and student loan payments due. This truly is a sucky situation."

As I've been telling everyone...unemployment. Get on it. Make this a mark in history that we need better social safety nets than JUST unemployment. As for student loans, GET ON IBR RIGHT NOW. Defer/forbear your current due payment of you have one and GET ON IBR. 

[BJR]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 9:55am

BenElliott said: "A few friends of mine work in merch and concessions and are freaking out right now. They're suddenly out of work with rent and student loan payments due. This truly is a sucky situation."

Enter a recession. This will be happening all over. Workers are restaurants and bars, retail, tourism. It's not just those employed in a Bway show.

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 9:57am

So far I have received an email regarding Company tickets saying that they will automatically be refunded.

I'm having an annoying time with TodayTix because they sent out a "110% voucher" of the price we paid for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, however, I ship to Army basic training on April 21st and cannot reschedule this trip for god knows how long.  I have emailed them back and am waiting on a response.  Also, we live in Virginia so it's not like I can run down there and get our money back.

Hadestown also sent an email saying they will refund automatically.

I emailed 54 Below because we are not going to travel 5+ hours to see a 54 Below show that we already paid for and then drive back to Virginia.  They were snarky but also gave us a refund "just this one time because of the circumstances". 

[Kad]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 10:09am

Frankly, it’s gross that any organization would not immediately give anyone affected by this situation a refund, no questions asked, no snark. This is a time in which everyone needs to step up and help one another, revenue be damned.

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 10:14am

Kad said: "Frankly, it’s gross that any organization would not immediately give anyone affected by this situation a refund, no questions asked, no snark. This is a time in which everyone needs to step up and help one another, revenue be damned."

Agreed.  The fact that not everyone issued an automatic refund baffles me.  They are literally just creating more work on themselves. 

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 10:22am

JennH said: BenElliott said: "A few friends of mine work in merch and concessions and are freaking out right now. They're suddenly out of work with rent and student loan payments due. This truly is a sucky situation."

As I've been telling everyone...unemployment. Get on it. Make this a mark in history that we need better social safety nets than JUST unemployment. As for student loans, GET ON IBR RIGHT NOW. Defer/forbear your current due payment of you have one and GET ON IBR."

Many of them won’t even be eligible for unemployment since most are 1099 jobs.

[AlanB3]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 10:43am

I had nine shows booked in the next two weeks and this morning has been a slow trickling stream of Telecharge emails announcing the closure of each one and saying they will automatically be refunded.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 10:53am

" Many of them won’t even be eligible for unemployment since most are 1099 jobs. "

Yep, my daughters teach dance and will be going through the same thing because studios are closing. Thankfully, they have both put away a bunch of money and will be able to handle this situation. Of course, they are probably aware that good old Mom and Dad would also have no problem helping them if needed. Sadly, not everyone will be as fortunate as them.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 11:39am

Students Loans can be put on Hardship Deferment. It's an easy process and will be approved. 

[BenElliott]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 11:59am

KJisgroovy said: "Students Loans can be put on Hardship Deferment. It's an easy process and will be approved."

Do they continue to collect interest though?

[schubox]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 1:06pm

bwayphreak234 said: "I don't know if anyone else on here had tickets to Plaza Suite, but the Hudson Theatre is ONLY taking inquiries regarding tickets by phone, and they are NOT automatically refunding anyone. The only way to "discuss options" as they worded it is to wait in an extremely queue on the phone or go in person to the box office. I think this is terrible customer service."

Yep got this too. I assume they're gong to try and get me to move dates or something, but every other show I had tickets for has been refunded, so I guess I'll have to call them next week or something.

[Kimbo]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 1:22pm

If a Broadway show is cancelled, you are entitled to a refund.  Period.

If they're giving you nonsense about "discussing options", as if the tickets you purchased were a recalcitrant toddler giving them trouble in nursery school, then (assuming you paid by credit card) you should dispute the charge with your credit card company.  They'll immediately refund your money, and launch an investigation to find out what's going on over there, on behalf of you and in the hopes of getting them to wise up for other patrons in the same boat (an investigation which I'm sure would be resolved favorably for you).

Updated On: 3/13/20 at 01:22 PM

[ArtMan]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 1:23pm

For those of you receiving Telecharge, etc refunds, are they refunding the fees also?

[ArtMan]

Posted: 3/13/20 at 1:23pm

double

Updated On: 3/13/20 at 01:23 PM