HAMILTON Looking To Reopen July 4th?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/30/20 at 5:39pm

Not posting to start yet another “Broadway is dead and won’t reopen until 2050” thread, just an article from today about how the show wants to reopen for Independence Day, 2021 which honestly would be a great date for it.

Article

[blaxx]

Posted: 11/30/20 at 6:05pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Not posting to start yet another “Broadway is dead and won’t reopen until 2050” thread, just an article from today about how the show wants to reopen for Independence Day, 2021 which honestly would be a great date for it.

Article "

 

Really hoping it can get done and have other shows follow suit at their own pace.

 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/30/20 at 6:15pm

Clever idea if the timing works out and more and more people get vaccinated. Hamilton could survive with a socially-distanced audience until the fall unlike most other shows, given how much bank they have made for five years now (!). Also, what could be better than a day off after just one performance? (7/4 next year is a Sunday)

I don't think any other show could mark the start of B'way's inevitable comeback. If this really happens, I hope some original cast members come back to attract attention. 

Wait for it, wait for it, wait for it, wait for it...

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 11/30/20 at 6:17pm

If there is any show who can AFFORD it, it is probably Hamilton. I imagine the costs during the initial reopening phase will be great and the income will be nonexistent or close to zero.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 11/30/20 at 6:34pm

Yeah, this is basically the only show that can afford a few months of not making any money. They have plenty to sustain themselves. I think it would be amazing, safe, and people will be hungry for it come July. 

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 11/30/20 at 6:46pm

I think Wicked, Lion King, Phantom, Hamilton, Chicago and any of the other long runs need to be the ones to usher everyone back in, if you will. A little financial loss for the good of the industry

[ACL2006]

Posted: 11/30/20 at 6:58pm

I think some of the smaller shows will be the first to reopen. Come From Away, Six, Chicago, Dear Evan Hansen. Hoping that June 1 date happens with these select shows. Then maybe July 4 with Hamilton, West Side Story, Phantom, Wicked, etc.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/30/20 at 7:18pm

It's TOTALLY gonna win Best Revival.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/30/20 at 7:22pm

100,000%!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/30/20 at 7:53pm

Thanks for the smile, Namo!

[HogansHero]

Posted: 11/30/20 at 8:13pm

Not to throw cold water on this idea, but please bear in mind that it was "revealed" on Page Six, in the same paper that breathlessly told us Hamilton may not ever open because of "creative differences." 

I think this has all the hallmarks of something that might have been overheard in passing at Joe Allens, and proved to have no other bona fides. And of the other shows mentioned, some will not be reopening. 

One other quick point: Hamilton is not gonna reopen and lose money for 6 months or 1 month. It won't have to. 

PS. Broadway is not dead and will reopen next year. (Like I've been saying since April.)

Updated On: 11/30/20 at 08:13 PM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 11/30/20 at 9:59pm

I'm willing to bet this is going to be the case. Hamilton honestly has to be the first show to reopen and take those first few weeks of hits to their gross. We can't just turn the lights back on and expect us to be back to normal.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/30/20 at 10:06pm

Depending on how things go though, an earlier start date is still possible. And I’m a bit confused by the part that talks about the need for reduced capacity, I thought that was an no-go for broadway.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/30/20 at 10:15pm

And what shows will either open/reopen or succumb to the virus remains to be seen. This should be a long, surprising stretch ahead of us, folks. Stay tuned.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 11/30/20 at 10:41pm

Not for anything, but I'm pretty sure it won't be running at any real loss. I'm willing to bet they'll be trying and largely succeeding in getting those ridiculously priced seats right up as soon as they go on sale, especially if there's so few of them. Imagine the bragging rights again?

[HogansHero]

Posted: 12/1/20 at 12:13am

Jordan Catalano said: "Depending on how things go though, an earlier start date is still possible. And I’m a bit confused by the part that talks about the need for reduced capacity, I thought that was an no-go for broadway."

Yes if the vaccine penetration hits the most optimistic projections, dates could change in theory. But regardless of the vaccine, we are going to be facing a huge economic hurt for some time and I am not convinced there will be a critical mass very soon. Are there 2000 people a week who will pay $750 for a masked, socially distanced Hamilton? I don't think so. Like I said, I think this is the kind of thing you heard in drunk convo at Joe Allen. Buy me my first post-show martini and I'll make up something good.  

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 12/1/20 at 8:02am

But also lets be real. If this vaccine roll out goes half as well as planned all the masks and social distancing guidelines will be gone this summer. 

I mean hell they are gone is places where the pandemic is worst at this moment.  

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/1/20 at 8:31am

Correct. The West End is selling shows as normal late spring/early summer so everyone (at least there) is banking on that being doable. I know we’re in a totally different situation this country but now that we’ll have people in charge who actually give AF about containing this thing, we can start to hope for the best.

[Alexander Lamar]

Posted: 12/1/20 at 9:35am

How was Chicago doing? I know the Weissler’s have money, but can Chicago afford to go without turning any profit for a bit?

Also wondering if the theater owners will be/already have cutting deals since it doesn’t seem likely there will be shows beating down their doors to open or kick someone else out.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 12/1/20 at 1:06pm

Alexander Lamar said: "How was Chicago doing? I know the Weissler’s have money, but can Chicago afford to go without turning any profit for a bit?

Also wondering if the theater owners will be/already have cutting deals since it doesn’t seem likely there will be shows beating down their doors to open or kick someone else out."

There is only so much a theatre or any other payee can cut. The key is how quickly audiences return for shows like Chicago. Personally I think it's toast, because I don't think that cut rate tourist audience is coming back for a long time. As I have said elsewhere, once we cure covid we still have to fix the economy before those folks can return. I don't see how these shows can survive; it's not a matter of no profit, it's about how many million dollar losses anyone thinks are cool. 

PS Right now, I don't recommend using the UK as a barometer of anything. Controlling the curve does not translate into non-socially distanced theatre; London is not an Asian city as what they have gone through the last month makes clear.

[jerseygurl]

Posted: 12/1/20 at 2:25pm

There are so many moving parts to re-opening. Many performers, musicians, stagehands, etc have left the business, moved or retired. So there will have to be recasting, new costumes, rehearsals, techs, etc. There is a finite amount of rehearsal space and all of those things cost money. Lots of money. HAMILTON or THE LION KING or WICKED can afford that but shows that were marginal or just opened last spring are going to have to go back to investors who may be reluctant to put up more money esp if seating is limited or if there is even the most remote chance that things will be closed down again if it turns out theatres are not safe enough yet. Same thing for new shows outside of THE MUSIC MAN. And let's not forget a large percentage of the audience for the performing arts is older adults who mayl be understandably reluctant to return until it's been proven completely safe and without risk. I can't wait to get back but the path forward is anything but clear.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/1/20 at 3:28pm

I would hope that when a show's reopening date is announced that they are given plenty of rehearsal time as well as time to recast any vacancies.

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 12/1/20 at 10:43pm

Why would they need more than a month?

The could probably get the show up and running in 3 weeks. Probably less.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 12/1/20 at 11:46pm

Lavieboheme3090 said: "Why would they need more than a month?

The could probably get the show up and running in 3 weeks. Probably less."

Oh ye of little understanding. As said above, there are a lot of moving parts (and some that probably won't move. Ever left grandpa's car sitting in the garage for a year and a half?) 

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/2/20 at 9:55am

Facui in an interview yesterday thinks late summer or fall for theater opening.

https://nypost.com/2020/12/01/fauci-says-broadway-could-reopen-by-fall-2021/

 

Here is the actual referenced, video, interview with CNBC where he is asked about Broadway reopening. Rhe question is asked at 11:29 in the video.

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/coronavirus/watch-live-dr-anthony-fauci-joins-nbc-new-york-to-discuss-chances-of-another-stay-at-home-order-covid-surge/2755008/

I personally don't see "Hamilton" opening on July 4th.