rattleNwoolypenguin said: " Yeah honestly this ain’t over till it’s over.
This June 7th date is clearly a “For SURE we won’t be back before then”
Also broadway closed BECAUSE of the usher that had COVID. That is going to haunt them for a whileeee cause they can’t guarantee that won’t happen again yet.
also did people forget so much of the demographic of broadway is old people? They aren’t gonna start taking risks as soon as they can trust me"
You blame this on an usher and then you make an ageist comment?
Not sure if anyone has covered this yet, but this language is now on the Chicago website below the announcement that shows are cancelled until June 7th: "We encourage you to consider new bookings and exchanges for performances beginning September 7, 2020."
I haven't seen any other productions encouraging customers to make exchanges that far out. Has anyone seen similar language from other shows?
Broadway Flash said: "You are not understanding what I am saying. When you guys talk about jobs being people's main priority, you act as though there are no jobs in the theatre. Why are other people's jobs more important than a stage manager or dresser?"
What makes you think those jobs are more important than other jobs outside of the theater industry? And the reality is that theater jobs have absolutely no security, so anyone getting theater work should understand that going in they can be unemployed for a significant amount of time, regardless as to whether or not there's a pandemic going on.
rattleNwoolypenguin said: " Yeah honestly this ain’t over till it’s over.
This June 7th date is clearly a “For SURE we won’t be back before then”
Also broadway closed BECAUSE of the usher that had COVID. That is going to haunt them for a whileeee cause they can’t guarantee that won’t happen again yet.
also did people forget so much of the demographic of broadway is old people? They aren’t gonna start taking risks as soon as they can trust me"
And TOURISTS that live outside the USA-let alone those from the USA..are not coming to visit this year...this will take a major toll on BWAY
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
I never said other jobs are more important, I was just responding to people implying that theatre jobs are frivolous and shouldn't be considered when things start to open up again. Condescending people man.
Broadway Flash said: "I never said other jobs are more important, I was just responding to people implyingthat theatre jobs are frivolous and shouldn't be considered when things start to open up again. Condescending people man."
Forgive me if this message appears condescending because it's not meant to be. The point I see people trying to make is that even if Broadway, and the theater industry in general, reopens and people with jobs in the theater go back to work, their work is really contingent on the audience members being able to go back to work and having enough disposable income to spend on theater tickets. Many people are worried about being able to cover the costs of housing, food, healthcare, and other necessities. Live entertainment is not a priority when people are more focused on their own security and just trying to survive. Potential audience members on the whole will have to be back at work for a period of time to be in any position to go to the theater. People who want to "get out and be in a theater" may even choose going to a movie over a live performance simply because it will be more affordable. I don't think anyone is saying that jobs in the theater are less important than others, but that those jobs will come back more slowly won't be secure (to the extent that jobs in the theater are ever secure) for a while after the industry reopens.
jagman1062 said: "Broadway Flash said: "I never said other jobs are more important, I was just responding to people implyingthat theatre jobs are frivolous and shouldn't be considered when things start to open up again. Condescending people man."
Forgive me if this message appears condescending because it's not meant to be. The point I see people trying to make is that even if Broadway, and the theater industry in general,reopens and people with jobs in the theater go back to work, their work is really contingent on the audience members being able to go back to work and having enough disposable income to spend on theater tickets. Many people are worried about being able to cover the costs of housing, food, healthcare, and other necessities. Live entertainment is not a priority when people are more focused on their own security and just trying to survive. Potential audience members on the whole will have to be back at work for a period of time to be in any position to go to the theater. People who want to "get out and be in a theater" may even choose going to a movie over a live performance simply because it will be more affordable. I don't think anyone is saying that jobs in the theater are less important than others, but that those jobs will come back more slowly won't be secure (to the extent that jobs in the theater are ever secure) for a while after the industry reopens."
This is exactly what is being discussed. Unfortunately broadway is an industry that is not essential. The jobs are essential to those who rely on broadway for a living, but not an essential service that the general population will be running to.
Any sort of entertainment based industry will face a similar fight when things reopen. it’s going to be hard, slow, and a long road for broadway.
The theaters will not reopen until the virus is eradicated or there is a vaccine. So we are looking at a very lengthy stretch of time. People who work in the theatre will have to find other kinds of work. These dates that are announced are just to give people some hope because they can only process so much with all of the pain and suffering that is currently going on.
I think where the Governor may have sounded condescending is that he didn't acknowledge that people who have to get the theaters and shows ready for whenever shows go up also want to go to work also. And are needed to be there before shows go up. I also don't think he needed to make the healthcare remark. That is what kind of threw me with his response. He is an intelligent man and I expected him to maybe say something to the affect that even if they went back to work on the 7th, shows would not be going up on that day. And according to the way he wants people to get back to work, not everyone would be able to go back at the same time. He knows the importance of the theatre to the NY economy and I think he just could have addressed it a bit differently. Even saying he would talk to the League to see what they were thinking and why they picked that date. I personally think the date was picked so that they could get more refunds done. I think they are aware that Broadway will not be up and running that fast. Just my random thoughts.
The essential workers have always been working. This conversation was about when the city opens up again. Also, why is the assumption that there won't be people coming back to the theatre anymore? There was record attendance happening on Broadway before the virus, people can't just assume that nobody is going to go to the theatre. People are giddy to go out and do stuff.
I don't really think you understand what this has done and will do to the economy. People won't be going to the theater if they do not have jobs and/or now have to live off savings just to survive. People won't be thinking about luxury items for a very long time, unfortunately.
But they will go back to their jobs after this is over and people are making solid money from unemployment right now so i predict the theatre will come back bigger than ever when its up and running again.
Broadway Flash said: "I never said other jobs are more important, I was just responding to people implyingthat theatre jobs are frivolous and shouldn't be considered when things start to open up again. Condescending people man."
Your point is valid. However, theatre is a discretionary expenditure. A lot of people aren’t going to rush in immediately upon opening because they don’t have the money, don’t yet feel safe, are not willing to travel from a distance quite yet, have no interest but n the initially likely meager offerings, etc.; disappointing as it is, it is going to be slow going out of the gate, especially if the offerings are mostly long-runs that many have seen multiple times.
‘If I am still worried about safety, I am not going to take the chance just to see Phantom yet another time. I might take a chance for MM with HJ, though.’
Broadway Flash said: "But they will go back to theirjobs after this is over and people are making solid money from unemployment right now so i predict the theatre will come back bigger than ever when its up and running again."
so you think that everything will just instantly be normal again? Everyone will have their jobs back and every business will reopen?
So many places in my area are permanently closing..
Once Broadway reopens, anyone think we are going to see a significant lowering of ticket prices, at least in the beginning? I don’t know how many people out there will still be able to afford $150 and higher standard ticket prices, not that these prices were ever affordable to begin with.
Only theatre I haven’t heard from yet is 2nd stage about Take Me Out. Their website says information will be provided soon so we shall see what they announce.
Broadway Flash said: "The essential workers have always beenworking. This conversation was about when the city opens up again. Also, why is the assumption that there won't be people coming back to the theatre anymore? There wasrecord attendance happening on Broadway before the virus, people can't just assume that nobody is going to go to the theatre. People are giddy to go out and do stuff."
Giddy to do stuff..Dude you are either very young or a bit delusional about the world ~ economy. We are in a recession and are headed deeper and deeper into it -we are experiencing a health crisis coupled with an economic crisis. It really doesn't matter where we were prior to all this...we are not going to hit the play button after this pause and everything goes back to normalcy...we will hit the reset button. People in general will not be able to afford or want to come to NYC ~ BWAY so quickly due to the economic state and COVID fears that will be with us for a long time. Also, the coronavirus pandemic will cause a severe economic contraction, 14.4 million job losses and a spike in the unemployment rate this spring, with an economic slow recovery starting the last Q of the year, economists forecast in a Wall Street Journal survey.
Business and academic economists in this month’s survey expect, on average, that the unemployment rate will hit 13% in June this year, and still be at 10% in December. The jobless rate was 4.4% in March.
...
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
Broadway Flash said: "But they will go back to theirjobs after this is over and people are making solid money from unemployment right now so i predict the theatre will come back bigger than ever when its up and running again."
O my....go back to their jobs....most shows will not reopen so most won't go back to their jobs and making solid money from unemployment - they are getting an additional $600 for up to 4 months +$504 total that's it! Nothing solid about that! As for coming back - bigger than ever...not happening but we want and need BWAY to reopen when the health crisis subsides along with a vaccine or some sort of testing in play-we need to just hang in there with the hope after Labor Day it will reopen :)
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
This is all such an unknown time. The Broadway League wrote they looked at guidance from the CDC and Governor Cuomo in determining the June 7th date. I assume they'll look at what the CDC and Governor Cuomo have to say in May, based on how/if the curve is flattening, the updated models, do early reports of drugs working miracles continue to happen, will a vaccine be tested in a year, etc? All we can do is wait and see what the CDC and Governor Cuomo recommend next month, and that will likely affect the Broadway League's future decisions.
I love the optimism. But we have to be realistic. This is not going to be some finger snap and broadway is back to normal. This is going to be very tough. Very sad. And not easy.