News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

COVID Cancellations

HogansHero Profile Photo
HogansHero
#500COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/17/21 at 10:02pm

It's no secret that the current avalanche of cases caught producers off guard. If we are to have theatre in January, in addition to investing in testing protocols that will prevent this farce of last minute cancellations from defining things, producers are going to have to invest in and manage the coverage that would make positive cases a non-event. Henry Ford did not build an automotive giant without building redundancy into the assembly line. Do we have the will to do this or are we just going to let clueless marketing people drive this season into the gutter? We'll know in a week. 

HogansHero Profile Photo
HogansHero
#501COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/17/21 at 10:18pm

Miles2Go2 said: "Well, some positive news. I got my results. Negative!"

Yay. Nothing feels much better than clicking on that link and seeing that weird wording, "Not-Detected." 

John Adams Profile Photo
John Adams
#502COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/17/21 at 10:23pm

boonanas said: "This all seems pretty ridiculous. To the vaccinated, this is essentially a milder version of the flu [...]"

As HeyMrMusic implies, it's NOT the flu, regardless of how similar/dissimilar the symptoms.

Medical science has a much better understanding of the flu, and how to control/treat that virus. Not so with COVID.

forfivemoreminutes
#503COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/17/21 at 10:26pm

John Adams said: "boonanas said: "This all seems pretty ridiculous. To the vaccinated, this is essentially a milder version of the flu [...]"

As HeyMrMusic implies, it's NOT the flu, regardless of how similar/dissimilar the symptoms.

Medical science has a much better understanding of the flu, and how to control/treat that virus. Not so with COVID.
"

And even if it WAS like the flu...Broadway performers shouldn't be performing if they have the flu either. Whether they're getting each other and/or the audience sick with the flu or with covid or with any other illness, that's a problem. If one cast member has the flu, they perform, they infect many of the other cast members with the flu (because they're singing at each other in such close proximity), then the show still gets cancelled because too many actors are sick. It's the same problem no matter what the illness.

Updated On: 12/17/21 at 10:26 PM

RippedMan Profile Photo
RippedMan
#504COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/17/21 at 10:44pm

So the issues are the new variant AND the way they're testing? I'm reminded of the recent production of "Head Over Heels" in Pasadena that had the actors intermixed with the audience and they never had to shutdown, etc. Just trying to target this new issues that's arisen. 

bisous3
#505COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/17/21 at 11:38pm

sppunk said: "Friends are at Company and 8 minutes in they puled the curtain and asked the cast to leave the stage. You can ad it to the quickly growing list of canceled shows.

Ironically they had Hamilton tickets for tonight … bad luck for them.
"

That happened during the re-opening of Six. Software issue apparently. But the dumb thing was that there's no intermission in that show so they could have just announced an intermission. Instead they asked the girls to exit the stage and left the musicians awkwardly standing there like they were furniture. It was not handled well. It also was hard for them to rebuild the energy after that.

 

forfivemoreminutes
#506COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/17/21 at 11:41pm

bisous3 said: "sppunk said: "Friends are at Company and 8 minutes in they puled the curtain and asked the cast to leave the stage. You can ad it to the quickly growing list of canceled shows.

Ironically they had Hamilton tickets for tonight … bad luck for them.
"

That happened during the re-opening of Six. Software issue apparently. But the dumb thing was that there's no intermission in that show so they could have just announced an intermission. Instead they asked the girls to exit the stage and left the musicians awkwardly standing there like they were furniture. It was not handled well. It also was hard for them to rebuild the energy after that.


"

You think it was "hard for them to rebuild the energy after that" on their re-opening night? HARD disagree. I was there on Six's re-opening night...the actors got standing ovations after nearly every single song, AND a standing ovation when the malfunction happened and the actors had to exit the stage. The audience was incredibly enthusiastic throughout the entire show. I'm not sure how much MORE energy they could have possibly had.

InTheBathroom1
#507COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/17/21 at 11:42pm

Allegedly, Shubert’s are ending food/drink service at shows tomorrow which I think is smart but also really sucks for those bartenders. 

pmensky
#508COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/17/21 at 11:59pm

InTheBathroom1 said: "Allegedly, Shubert’s are ending food/drink service at shows tomorrow which I think is smart but also really sucks for those bartenders."

They did suspend service, but from what I’ve heard it’s only for the weekend at this point.

Alexander Lamar
#509COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/18/21 at 12:13am

forfivemoreminutes said: "bisous3 said: "sppunk said: "Friends are at Company and 8 minutes in they puled the curtain and asked the cast to leave the stage. You can ad it to the quickly growing list of canceled shows.

Ironically they had Hamilton tickets for tonight … bad luck for them.
"

That happened during the re-opening of Six. Software issue apparently. But the dumb thing was that there's no intermission in that show so they could have just announced an intermission. Instead they asked the girls to exit the stage and left the musicians awkwardly standing there like they were furniture. It was not handled well. It also was hard for them to rebuild the energy after that.


"

You think it was "hard for them to rebuild the energy after that" on their re-opening night? HARD disagree. I was there on Six's re-opening night...the actors got standing ovations after nearly every single song, AND a standing ovation when the malfunction happened and the actors had to exit the stage. The audience was incredibly enthusiastic throughout the entire show. I'm not sure how much MORE energy they could have possibly had.
"

Yea, even the “Joan” got applause as she was on her “conductors phone” (no clue if that’s what it’s actually called). I’m not sure what you mean when you say they could have “announced an intermission” but the SM came on the god mic to announce the pause and then once (maybe twice?) while we waited so….there’s that. 

Updated On: 12/18/21 at 12:13 AM

Wick3 Profile Photo
Wick3
#510COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/18/21 at 12:32am

InTheBathroom1 said: "Allegedly, Shubert’s are ending food/drink service at shows tomorrow which I think is smart but also really sucks for those bartenders."

I hope they still get paid for their shift; though yes it sucks not to get any tips.

Robbie2 Profile Photo
Robbie2
#511COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/18/21 at 12:35am

Broadway Show Cancellations Piling Up Amid COVID Surge 

For those who work in and around the industry, the closures are a grim sign that Broadway's fall return after a long, dark stretch may have been premature.

"The surge is yet another example of uncertainty," said one Broadway bartender who works eight shows a week, and asked to remain anonymous to retain his job. "But the fact that so many different shows are canceling every other performance shows that this is here to stay. This is causing extra stress for all employees during the busiest time of the season for Broadway. This may be a cautionary tale that Broadway wasn't quite ready to reopen on such a large scale."

https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/broadway-show-cancellations-piling-amid-covid-surge?fbclid=IwAR3uzyjLIawdXl91ngOFZNZa4UbTvjwP42ekv0hAf7nno8_3kS-idWaKnZY


"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new." Sunday in the Park with George

bisous3
#512COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/18/21 at 12:35am

forfivemoreminutes said: "bisous3 said: "sppunk said: "Friends are at Company and 8 minutes in they puled the curtain and asked the cast to leave the stage. You can ad it to the quickly growing list of canceled shows.

Ironically they had Hamilton tickets for tonight … bad luck for them.
"

That happened during the re-opening of Six. Software issue apparently. But the dumb thing was that there's no intermission in that show so they could have just announced an intermission. Instead they asked the girls to exit the stage and left the musicians awkwardly standing there like they were furniture. It was not handled well. It also was hard for them to rebuild the energy after that.


"

You think it was "hard for them to rebuild the energy after that" on their re-opening night? HARD disagree. I was there on Six's re-opening night...the actors got standing ovations after nearly every single song, AND a standing ovation when the malfunction happened and the actors had to exit the stage. The audience was incredibly enthusiastic throughout the entire show. I'm not sure how much MORE energy they could have possibly had.
"

Yes I was one of the enthusiastic audience members. You think it was EASY to rebuild that energy back? lol They had to work their asses off to do that. It was WORK.

bisous3
#513COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/18/21 at 12:38am

Alexander Lamar said: "forfivemoreminutes said: "bisous3 said: "sppunk said: "Friends are at Company and 8 minutes in they puled the curtain and asked the cast to leave the stage. You can ad it to the quickly growing list of canceled shows.

Ironically they had Hamilton tickets for tonight … bad luck for them.
"

That happened during the re-opening of Six. Software issue apparently. But the dumb thing was that there's no intermission in that show so they could have just announced an intermission. Instead they asked the girls to exit the stage and left the musicians awkwardly standing there like they were furniture. It was not handled well. It also was hard for them to rebuild the energy after that.


"

You think it was "hard for them to rebuild the energy after that" on their re-opening night? HARD disagree. I was there on Six's re-opening night...the actors got standing ovations after nearly every single song, AND a standing ovation when the malfunction happened and the actors had to exit the stage. The audience was incredibly enthusiastic throughout the entire show. I'm not sure how much MORE energy they could have possibly had.
"

Yea, even the “Joan” got applause as she was on her “conductors phone” (no clue if that’s what it’s actually called). I’m not sure what you mean when you say they could have “announced an intermission” but the SM came on the god mic to announce the pause and then once (maybe twice?) while we waited so….there’s that.
"

IMHO it would have been better to just have just got on the mic and said "We will now take a XX minute intermission in order to work on a software issue." and then everyone could have exited the stage. No clue why the musicians were left on stage.

Mr. Wormwood Profile Photo
Mr. Wormwood
#514COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/18/21 at 12:46am

I feel like a lot of the recent issues happening, while obviously due to COVID in the larger sense, are self-inflicted. Clearly, a hiatus or better protocols are needed. They are running into one PR disaster after another with these last second cancellations and that's going to turn off potential audiences if it keeps happening. They have to find a way to do better with the timing of everything.

And also in a larger sense, If (and I know it's still if at this time) Omicron proves to be more mild especially for triple vaccinated then require boosters and continue even when there are cases. At some point (not now I know because of hospitalizations still being a concern), there has to be an off-ramp for quarantining every time there's exposure or even a positive test.

adotburr
#515COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/18/21 at 5:18am

sppunk said: "TaffyDavenport said: "adotburr said: "sppunk said: "Friends are at Company and 8 minutes in they puled the curtain and asked the cast to leave the stage. You can ad it to the quickly growing list of canceled shows.

Ironically they had Hamilton tickets for tonight … bad luck for them.
"

8 minutes in.. as in the show started and then they cancelled after the show started. Wow, this is getting out of hand. There really needs to be something in place so people know an hour before the show if the show is happened or not.
"

No one said the show was cancelled, yet.
"

This is right - my friend said Patti came out and entertained them for 12 minutes.

She told them it was an illness of a cast member. Shiv hasn’t restarted as of 2 mins ago.
"

Well OP did say “You can add it to the quickly growing list of cancelled shows.” Regardless, my point being is if there’s any thought to cancel, they need to cancel well before they let people in the theatre, let alone the show staring and cancelling. If these types of cancellations are going to continue, this going to be a problem and no one’s going to go in fear their show gets cancelled right before or after it started. 


she/her . “everything’s legal in new jersey”
Updated On: 12/18/21 at 05:18 AM

VintageSnarker
#516COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/18/21 at 6:32am

kidmanboy said: "Sitting in a masked audience is not a similar risk to the contact of a cast in a large Broadway musical. - if anything, perhaps they could stop serving food and drinks."

This is one of the reasons I'm watching Caroline, or Change closely. Roundabout seems like it's being very responsible so if omicron breaks through, that should be concerning for everyone who is more lax. 

Wick3 Profile Photo
Wick3
#517COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/18/21 at 7:52am

VintageSnarker said: "kidmanboy said: "Sitting in a masked audience is not a similar risk to the contact of a cast in a large Broadway musical. - if anything, perhaps they could stop serving food and drinks."

This is one of the reasons I'm watching Caroline, or Change closely. Roundabout seems like it's being very responsible so if omicron breaks through, that should be concerning for everyone who is more lax.
"

That's true. There's no bar/food sold at the Roundabout shows Caroline or Change and Trouble in Mind. Flying over Sunset also doesn't sell bar/food so no reason to take mask off.

Jordan Catalano Profile Photo
Jordan Catalano
#518COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/18/21 at 7:57am

Mr. Wormwood said: "And also in a larger sense, If (and I know it's still if at this time) Omicron proves to be more mild especially for triple vaccinated then require boosters and continue even when there are cases. At some point (not now I know because of hospitalizations still being a concern), there has to be an off-ramp for quarantining every time there's exposure or even a positive test."

 

I think sooner rather than later, guidelines will have to change regarding this - with (what I’m expecting to be) a lot more fully vaxxed people testing positive and having mild to no symptoms, it’s just not going to be feasible to ask them to stay quarantined for 10 days anymore. I can see guidelines becoming more common sense suggestions like “avoid vulnerable people/large crowds where a lot of people are unmasked if you’re having cold symptoms”, things like that. But this clearly is turning into a seasonal thing like a cold/flu that we’ll have to learn to live with forever - it’s the people who choose not to be vaxxed who are the ones who need to quarantine during these spikes.

 

JasonC3
#519COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/18/21 at 8:02am

Building on Jordan's comment, so much of our recent and current attention is focused on the # of cases, something that is trumpeted daily in all forms of media. Nothing necessarily wrong with that.

But less attention has been focused on the consequences of those cases, a metric that seems likely to be more important in determining policy choices moving forward.

All metrics can matter, but not necessarily equally in terms of their implications or applications to decision-making.

schubox
#520COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/18/21 at 9:01am

Wick3 said: "VintageSnarker said: "kidmanboy said: "Sitting in a masked audience is not a similar risk to the contact of a cast in a large Broadway musical. - if anything, perhaps they could stop serving food and drinks."

This is one of the reasons I'm watching Caroline, or Change closely. Roundabout seems like it's being very responsible so if omicron breaks through, that should be concerning for everyone who is more lax.
"

That's true. There's no bar/food sold at the Roundabout shows Caroline or Change and Trouble in Mind. Flying over Sunset also doesn't sell bar/food so no reason to take mask off.
"

Lehman Trilogy isn’t either, at least I didn’t see anything open on the orchestra level and didn’t see anyone with a drink/food

Det95
#521COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/18/21 at 9:46am

It’s interesting how the food and drink varies from theatre to theatre in the same org too. When I saw Wicked they didn’t let us take concessions back to our seats, but they did at Lion King and Hamilton. 

Mr. Wormwood Profile Photo
Mr. Wormwood
#522COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/18/21 at 9:51am

JasonC3 said: "Building on Jordan's comment, so much of our recent and current attention is focused on the # of cases, something that is trumpeted daily in all forms of media. Nothing necessarily wrong with that.

But less attention has been focused on the consequences of those cases, a metric that seems likely to be more important in determining policy choices moving forward.

All metrics can matter, but not necessarily equally in terms of their implications or applications to decision-making.
"

Exactly. The headline yesterday was New York (the state) had a record high # of cases. But if you read the article, you see that hospitalizations are less than half of what they were during the previous high for cases back in January and unbelievably lower than they were during the Spring of 2020.

Jordan Catalano Profile Photo
Jordan Catalano
#523COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/18/21 at 9:56am

There’s a real push I’m seeing to change the way these numbers are reported in the media and focus only on hospitalizations and deaths, especially in unvaccinated people. 

luvcaroline Profile Photo
luvcaroline
#524COVID performance cancellations
Posted: 12/18/21 at 10:04am

I’ve been closely following this thread and others, but I’m still very torn about what to do and I want your opinions. We booked this trip a couple of months ago, when things were looking much better. Caroline, or Change is my favorite musical of all time and it’s the only reason I booked this trip. I could not imagine missing the opportunity to see this masterpiece. We are both vaxed and boosted, but I’m more concerned that the show will be canceled than I am about getting ill. Our flight leaves tonight, so we have to decide very soon what to do. We will lose a big part of our hotel res if we cancel. We will still be able to use our flight costs for future credit. I know that only we can make this decision, but I really want to know what you guys would do in this situation.   We also have tickets for Kimberly Akimbo and Jagged Little Pill, but it won’t be the end of the world if those are canceled. 


Videos