Broadway will be "mask-optional" starting July 1, 2022

Wow.

One bit of language in the press release implies that we will get another announcement ahead of August. And if COVID cases suddenly spike again (especially within casts/theatre staff), masks will return. But it's pretty hard to get the genie back in the bottle.

"all 41 Broadway theatres in New York City will adopt a "mask optional" policy for the month of July."

Above all, this is Broadway wanting to maximize sales potential in the most lucrative months of the year. I don't think it will make a sizeable dent for most shows, but perhaps it will help some tourists.

Updated On: 6/21/22 at 12:25 PM

flord10 said: "Your last show forever? Or is there a foreseeable scenario in which you would return to a mask-optional theater?"

Will have to see what the Covid cases look like. I have been very selective of the things I do / feel safe doing. A masked and vaccinated audience felt extremely safe to me. A masked audience without a vaccine felt semi safe to me. This feels 100% unsafe now, to sit this closely with so many people without a mask or vaccine for an extended period of time. Just a personal preference. Will just have to find entertainment elsewhere.

Will they still require actors and theater staff to take a Covid test 2x a week?

Spot-on as always, Jakey.

It's been a crazy last few years indeed.

This announcement feels very odd to me at this time, considering the number of shows that have been performing with multiple understudies over the past few weeks.

I also have a feeling that COVID-related exchanges/refunds are going to become even more difficult now.

Updated On: 6/21/22 at 12:51 PM

This was inevitable. Luckily, for anyone who is still cautious you can keep yours on or double mask if you're worried. I get the concern of those around you, but the reality is that Broadway is basically the only place I can think of where you've still needed to be masked. I've gone to live events all over (in New York too) and no one wears them anymore. They aren't required anymore. And it seems the majority of the country is done with them. I know numerous people who have been waiting for the Broadway mask mandate to be lifted before they would buy tickets to see a show. They're just not interested in spending a few hours with one on. Personally, I don't find it to be a big deal. I'll wear it if I have to and not complain. But, I get the other side too. People want to live their lives without COVID being a factor in daily planning anymore.

I get it's a sudden shift, but this was always coming and I'm glad that it's another step in the right direction. Take care of yourselves, everyone!

Jordan Catalano said: "What I’m most curious about now is when shows will stop testing cast/crew."

I think cast testing is here to stay as long as about half the cases are symptomatic. Maybe it eventually goes down to 1x a week if there haven't been Covid cases in the company for X amount of time. Testing is data that can inform decisions. In any situation, management wants to know why actors are out sick (bronchitis or stomach flu that can spread will be different than an injury received at work, or vocal fatigue, or a mental-health day, or something else) so they can be prepared for possible future illnesses and schedule additional rehearsals/fittings as needed.

The outdated belief of "actors should go on even when sick" has, sensibly, become more of an "actors should be careful not to hurt themselves further by performing while ill" situation, even before Covid. Mainly for musicals –– Amber Gray could conceivably go on in Macbeth with the sniffles or a cough; if she were in Hadestown, that could negatively impact her vocal performance.

Lot666 said: "This announcement feels very odd to me at this time, considering the number of shows that have been performing with multiple understudies over the past few weeks."

Cast members were absent because shows are still testing every week, sometimes multiple times a week, and general policy is that you’re out for 10 days or until you test negative. Most of the positive cases have been asymptomatic/mild. Going “mask optional” likely means mandatory testing will soon be eradicated and cast members will go back to calling out when they feel sick like they always have. Presumably, positive COVID cases revealed from being sick and testing independently will affect how long a person is out, but it sounds like Broadway is trying to get back to “normal” and avoid having to rely on the deep bench of understudies and swings so regularly.

Updated On: 6/21/22 at 01:33 PM