Broadway to Close? — Page 29

Enjolras5 said: ""Trump extends social distancing guidelines through April 30" is now the top CNN article...it's going to be a LOT longer than that, for sure..."

No kidding...I just saw someone I used to respect pull the "If you're the reason this was extended...SHAME". I wanted with every bone in my body to crack right back, because YO, it was going to get extended anyway...good grief. It's like pulling teeth trying to get people to realize just how much of a toll something like this takes, especially when you have a moron running the country who didn't deal with this crisis in time.

On another note, I've actually been wondering about when this finally ends or at least is mostly at an end. On one hand, mass hysteria in terms of the want to get back to normal abounds like crazy so I don't see people being as apprehensive to go back into 'crowds' as it seems others do. Maybe I'm wrong? Too many people still don't have a problem going out and about when we shouldn't, so what makes us think that'll change when this finally reaches it end?

Updated On: 3/29/20 at 09:30 PM

It is difficult to project into the future about how people will react to being in crowds after a few more months of this crisis passes. If 100,000- 200,000 people die- and the fallout from this pandemic are as extreme as some scientists suggest they could be- then all bets are off as to how people might react. I think we will all be shell-shocked for a long time- and it could be a long while before people want to go to theaters, on planes or stay in hotels.

I think June 1 is the closest obtainable date right now. And that's being optimistic.

I agree about June 1. The NY apex is expected sometime in April so I think Broadway with social distancing limitations in place could start to reopen in June. Of course, that could all change depending on how bad the apex actually is and how long it lasts.

It is one thing for guidelines to allow for people to be out and about again routinely, but it is quite another thing for shows to be ready to welcome patrons again ... as others have previously noted here and in other threads. I'd imagine theater offerings will remain fairly slim during at least the early summer months.

I was thinking closer to the fall for a reopening tbh but I am a pretty pessimistic person. I hope people are right about June but why do you all think that? I just don't see it getting any better for awhile.

Which projection are you referring to- June or Fall for BWAY reopening?

I did look at the graph- but was not sure what to make of it- but it looks like July 1 is the date for the beginning of zero= I have never been to great reading maps or charts- but NY is June- but we must be aware of visitors coming to NYC with the virus- so July 1 looks like the date to shoot for. Do you agree? Did I read the graph right?

Updated On: 3/31/20 at 02:24 PM

I noticed the charts posted say:

The projections assume the continuation of strong social distancing measures and other protective measures.

Through when? Indefinitely or through the current recommendation of April 30?

Thank you for that- great chart- I am hopeful for an August date- and also hopeful that maybe the number 85,000 is high- my partner has kidney disease and I am quite distressed when confronted with numbers like this.

SmoothLover said: "A June projection is too soon...Seems unrealistic."

late summer most likely back rehearsing August - reopen hopefully after Labor Day is what I'm thinking...

Updated On: 3/31/20 at 09:50 PM

I think the real issue about when broadway will reopen is the reality of who in the hell will actually show up? I can't imagine that once Broadway gets the go ahead to reopen that there will be much of a tourist industry left and frankly I can't imagine being in a closed space of a Broadway theatre for some time to come. The economics will be bleak for a rather long time for not only producers and traditional backers but an audience that will have limited resources for travel and entertainment. A pandemic like this will create a slump that will last for a very long time and that is what is really so sad.

Fosse76 said: "Why would they replace front of house? Most, if not all, would return. It's not the first time front of house find themselves unemployed for a lengthy period of time.

I assume the reopening date announced by the League would take into account any required tech, but I would imagine each show would be different, based on rehearsal time and any necessary re-casting."

I'm guessing that, similar to what happened after 9/11, you'll find a good number of people who end up leaving NY entirely because of this. Every sector is going to be looking for new employees to augment returning employees.