Coronavirus: The Spring Season Scene Stealer

[PutonyourWarPaint]

Posted: 2/25/20 at 10:14pm

So with the announcement today over the If/Then...(wink) Sorry, the If/When Coronavirus potentially spreads throughout the USA; surely this will affect not only tourism (refer to Shanghai Disney) for travel into NYC, but the spring (and most likely summer) Broadway Season?

If they're already talking about canceling the OLYMPICS in Japan, what would be smart about jamming 1,400 people into little petri dishes throughout midtown Manhattan while the outbreak is going on? 

Perfect example: My partner and I are taking his mother to see WICKED (her first Bway show) sometime this spring. Because of her work schedule and financial matters, we've been looking through March, April, And May. But we just got a text from my partner's father saying, "I'm a little worried about you guys traveling with mom while all of this is happening. Might want to check with her before you book". The trip was to be a surprise, but while some may be opportunists about empty theatres and great vacation deals, I'm sure there will be plenty of people across the nation ALSO worried about the risks of traveling during a pandemic. 

 

With shows set to open Diana, Company, Virginia Woolf, etc....Would you think some shows might delay their openings? Tony Awards rule changes? Anybody else worried about the coronavirus disrupting the season?

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/25/20 at 10:16pm

The show must go on. These shows are not going to delay their openings. This is a business.

[Kitsune]

Posted: 2/25/20 at 10:26pm

I work at a local public health department. I got pulled off my usual job last week to phone screen travelers returning from mainland China. This doesn't make me any expert, but for what it's worth...

If I was a producer I would have this on my mind, but it's too early to make any recommendations for things months down the line. In a perfect world, our screening efforts would be a perfect barrier against cases spreading. In reality, I don't know what will happen.

I wasn't following Broadway in 2009 - did H1N1 have any impact on theater going, or seeing entertainment in large spaces? (Granted that was also during the recession)

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 2/25/20 at 10:28pm

I don't know if this is still being taken into account, but at least a few weeks ago there was some conjecture that just as influenza has a harder time spreading and incubating in the warmer seasons, Covid-19 could easily follow the same seasonal path. 

[JPeterman]

Posted: 2/25/20 at 11:23pm

I’ve been patiently waiting for this thread to emerge ..... I have a crap ton of tickets purchased for my entire family for the week leading up to the Tony Awards and I’m starting to hear comments and warnings from my various family members that they/we shouldn’t be traveling to NYC because of the looming pandemic. It’s scarIng the crap out of me because I have so many tickets lol ..... you name it, I got it. And then we have a big family trip planned to the Stratford Festival in Canada in August. And I can just imagine some new Trumpy border policy in place when we are trying to re-enter the US that somehow prevents us from getting back in lol. This spring/summer will be a nail biter.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/25/20 at 11:41pm

It actually has already started to affect tourism in NYC. Tons of Chinese tourists come here monthly, and with the travel bans it has started to affect it. If it's still not under control come Spring, it will be a pretty bad situation for everyone. 

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 2/25/20 at 11:58pm

The Australian production of Come From Away was due to do a Shanghai season after the Melbourne run, that was canned this morning. The Asian touring production of The Lion King has canned the next three stops ( Wuhan was one of them )
Matilda is still planning an opening in Singapore this week.

[Broadway Joe]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 12:17am

I get that people are freaking out and the news likes to make everyone paranoid and I'm not saying don't take some precautions but there's seriously a higher risk of dying by getting hit by a car or being in a car and dying than dying via the coronavirus.

If people do stay away though I certainly won't complain about less traffic on the roads lol

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 12:45am

And while I understand this MIGHT become a problem in the US, I cant get all worked up about something that might not affect us at all.

I don't know that cancelling events in Asia is currently comparable - since that IS where the outbreak currently is.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 1:14am

PutonyourWarPaint said: "If they're already talking about canceling the OLYMPICS in Japan, what would be smart about jamming 1,400 people into little petri dishes throughout midtown Manhattan while the outbreak is going on?
Going to the theater in fall/winter is just asking to get sick anyway since no one with a hacking cough or a runny nose ever bothers to stay home. 

With shows set to open Diana, Company, Virginia Woolf, etc....Would you think some shows might delay their openings? Tony Awards rule changes? Anybody else worried about the coronavirus disrupting the season?"

Not unless things get much worse. Ebola, H1N1, SARS, etc. There have been other outbreaks. Unless someone in the show is personally affected, I don't see a cause for disruption. 

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 4:16am

I don't know that cancelling events in Asia is currently comparable - since that IS where the outbreak currently is."

Uhm, Asia and most European countries, where there are hundreds of cases and several deaths. Northern Italy has closed cinemas, theatres, schools and churches, if coronavirus becomes a matter of public health in the States similar precautions could (and should) be taken.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 4:30am

Yes, I only heard of the outbreak problems in Italy yesterday, but from someone I dont find reliable. I hadnt heard anything about the rest of Europe. But my point is still...panicking before we have a problem isnt good.

[sparksatmidnight]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 6:36am

I wouldn't say it's panicking, but having a plan in place and actions thought before you need to act on them makes for an easier and cleaner solution for everyone rather than waiting until you absolutely have to to figure out what's your plan gonna be.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 7:46am

dramamama611 said: "And while I understand this MIGHT become a problem in the US, I cant get all worked up about something that might not affect us at all

But it has already affected us.  The stock market dropping 2000 points in two days is a big effect on us.  Now that Italy has it, it won't be long for other European countries to follow.  I personally had a trip planned on May 1 to the Baltic countries and Poland.  I cancelled the trip.  Yes, things may mellow by then or it may get worse.  The thought of being three plane rides away from my home and being sick in a foreign country did not appeal to me.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 8:11am

I get cancelling travel right now if you don't feel safe. I'm more annoyed with the no answers to the "prepare yourself" statement on the news last night. Like tell us what that means.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 9:57am

The Flower Drum Song revival US tour was cancelled, or at least some stops were, because of SARS. It was scheduled to come to my city and later was cancelled. I was really sad because Lea Salonga was in the production and I'd been so excited to see her live. Not to say that I didn't understand - public health is the top priority, of course.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 10:10am

SporkGoddess said: "The Flower Drum Song revival US tour was cancelled, or at least some stops were, because of SARS. It was scheduled to come to my city and laterwas cancelled. I was really sad because Lea Salonga was in the production and I'd been so excited to see her live. Not to say that I didn't understand - public health is the top priority, of course."

I see tour engagements being cancelled as a far likelier possibility than any Broadway shows being cancelled. IF there are travel restrictions within the US it will be more difficult to transport the company, which could affect itinerary routing. But I would be extremely shocked if any of the shows yet to begin previews this spring actually delayed or cancelled. That’s a lot of money on the line and at this point I doubt any insurance policy would pay out to cover losses due to what is still a theoretical epidemic here in the US

[trpguyy]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 10:12am

VintageSnarker said: "Not unless things get much worse. Ebola, H1N1, SARS, etc. There have been other outbreaks. Unless someone in the show is personally affected, I don't see a cause for disruption."

The coronavirus is spreading exponentially faster than any of these other outbreaks. If there is a pandemic in the US, which is a strong possibility, it is almost certain that theatre, concerts, schools will be affected. 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 10:14am

I'm still planning an international trip for later this year. I figure if you're going to be quarantined or sick, you may as well do it while you're in a fun place.

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 10:36am

Perhaps a good reason to buy ticket insurance or maybe not purchase them so far ahead unless you absolutely have to. Same goes for travel plans -- make sure to have trip insurance, a refundable airline ticket, or some other type of Plan B.

At the moment, cruise lines are not allowing anyone who has traveled through mainland China within 14 days of sail date to board. However, they have not issued any waivers should other passengers decide to cancel or change plans out of precaution. So the only thing covering these passengers would be cancel anytime trip insurance.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 10:39am

LizzieCurry said: "I'm still planning an international trip for later this year. I figure if you're going to be quarantined or sick, you may as well do it while you're in a fun place."

Great attitude.  Unfortunately, I got a viral infection the end of January (even though I received a flu shot October 2019) that wiped me out for 2 and a half weeks and took 15 pounds off of me.  The old me would have never cancelled. Going through that, now I'm being somewhat cautious and a little fearful.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 10:42am

RWPrincess said: "Perhaps a good reason to buy ticket insurance or maybe not purchase them so far ahead unless you absolutely have to. Same goes for travel plans -- make sure to have trip insurance, a refundable airline ticket, or some other type of Plan B.

At the moment, cruise lines are not allowing anyone who has traveled through mainland China within 14 days of sail date to board. However, they have not issued any waivers should other passengers decide to cancel or change plans out of precaution. So the only thing covering these passengers would be cancel anytime trip insurance."

Travel insurance has always been and definitely now sketchy on reasons to cancel   I heard horror stories from people who had cancel anytime trip insurance and they still didn't pay.  Keep in mind, depending on what credit card you use, there are free travel insurance benefits, if you use your card to pay.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 11:00am

LizzieCurry said: "I figure if you're going to be quarantined or sick, you may as well do it while you're in a fun place."

And health care. 

[LexiGirl]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 11:48am

LizzieCurry said: "I'm still planning an international trip for later this year. I figure if you're going to be quarantined or sick, you may as well do it while you're in a fun place."

I had the same sort of thinking in booking a hotel for my April trip. I was booked for a so-so hotel, and decided to switch to more of a luxury hotel. If something happens and I get quarantined in my hotel room while there, I’d rather be somewhere a bit nicer!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 12:06pm

Exactly! I've already started making my purchases for seeing Fun Home and The Secret Garden in Sydney. I COULD end up stuck and bored there, but I'd be stuck and bored in a cool place with some TV shows I have never seen before.