Hurricane Irene and Broadway — Page 5

I'm a big fan of "the show must go on", but this is kind of ridiculous. To proceed with shows when many other large events are cancelled is idiotic. Even if it is "just" 85 mph winds, that is devastating. We had 75 mph winds here a few year back and it was terrifying, damaging and many people were injured. To have people risk their necks to get to a Broadway musical is foolish. Does someone have to get injured or die for them to take the warning seriously?

With recent tragedies related to extreme weather at concerts, you think promoters and producers might defer to the forecasters.

Take a day off people.

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I'm heading out of NYC for DC this weekend where the weather will "only" rise to a tropical storm. Anyone have any insight as to whether Catie-Cate Blanchett and co. (or those studly Oklahoma! men) will make sure the show goes on??? Anyone else trekking it to the DC from NYC this weekend for theater?

This appears to be a big one, and I really think the shows should shut down. I have an economic interest here, but I am not saying it for that reason. I was to see "Follies" Sunday afternoon during a day trip. While I don't have any fear per se about being in NYC while the winds are howling, the reality is that I would have difficulties getting into and out of the City (I am nearly 4 hours away). My first thought was to keep this engagement but go in the day before, and stay over; but even then I have doubts about getting out Sunday, so I'd likely have to stay over Sunday night too. That's the cost of one or two hotel nights ... versus the cost of just tossing away the ticket (I tried a refund at Ticketmaster---no luck). Economcally, it just made sure sense to lose the ticket and re-book for the following week, which is what I did. Any show that goes on will indeed have many empty seats! Lots of understudies too perhaps?

JMP, from the looks of things now, you would want to be worried being in the city with "the winds howling".

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"While I don't have any fear per se about being in NYC while the winds are howling"

I think people are underestimating or unfamiliar with what an 85mph wind feels like and can do. We had 70-75mph winds without rain and it was brutal. They can lift you off the ground and you are constantly being pelted by objects and debris. You can't keep your eyes open for extended periods of time and even walking is difficult.

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My post may not have been entirely clear. I have been through hurricanes before, and I am well aware of the danger. In thinking the other day on what to do about seeing "Follies" this weekend, that was very much a factor, but it became a moot point because, from an economic standpoint alone, it just made more sense to toss away what I had and re-book. And, as I said, I think all the Broadway shows should cancel---and, yes, for safety reasons.

Cancelled, thank you God!

My heart goes out to all the tourists, many of whom will be stuck in hotel rooms. As someone who only gets to the city a few times a year and at considerable expense, my heart breaks for all those missing the shows they were longing to see. I wish them all safety and peace of mind.

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Wicked posted on its Facebook page just now that the broadway league has decided to cancel all shows on saturday and sunday.

What a relief!

Okay, I'll eat my hat.

You win, Irene. You win.

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Just got an E-mail from Sleep No More the are offering exchanges and refunds.

Irene blows into New York and takes the town by storm.

Somewhere, my old buddy Harry Rigby is smiling.

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