Hi Folks,
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I tried googling the answer and couldn't find anything about it. Is the National Theater (site of the If/Then out of town try-out in DC) a federal entity and therefore closed for the shutdown, or is it just a private entity with a grandiose name on account of its location in the capital?
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
It's a Shubert theatre, if I'm not mistaken.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
Definitely not government run. It was booked by the Shuberts for a million years, but is now being managed by JAM/SMG. It's open and very active at the moment!
Alas, it is private. Ya know It always breaks my heart but the USA does not have a government funded Theatre like say England does. We have not had a government funded theatre since 1939.
E. Davis, ordinarily I'd agree with you that the U.S. should have publicly funded theaters, but with the shutdown, public funding could wreak havoc. Nonetheless, I think the federally funded Kennedy Center is open, probably because it does not rely heavily on annual appropriations (unlike the zoo and museums). Ford's Theater appears to be closed.
As for the original question, the National is private and If/Then will go forward as planned. However, I have heard that Justice Ginsburg, who is considering retirement, is hoping to replace Idina Menzel. Just kidding, of course!
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