Shut down until June 7 — Page 5

Broadway Flash said: "I don't really think there is a precedent for this situation though. I really don't think things aregonna be thatbad when the city opens up. People would go out to bars and clubs and theatres right now if they could."

If people could go to bars and clubs etc right now, then they would. Because that's because that would mean no COVID-19. But, clearly that's not the case. And, I know that you mentioned unemployment being an option. Well, there are two important things you need to know about that. First off, unemployment is used by people who are are out of work, need a way to put food on the table and pay bills. People tend to not use that money for recreational and luxury outings such as the theatre.

Furthermore, I work on Broadway. Yes, I will still be employed once the shutdown is over. But, for me, it won't be same as it ever was. I don't know how things will look post shutdown. No one does, it's just pure speculation at this point.

Also, here's a wakeup call for how backed up unemployment is, at least here in New York. I am out of work, so I applied. When you do, you have two options of getting your money. Either via direct deposit or a pre paid card in the mail. There have been people I know who signed up for direct deposit who ended up getting a pre paid card and others who have requested a card but didn't get it in the timeframe they were told they would be and are struggling for reasons I mentioned earlier in this post. Furthermore, it is extremely backed up. There are people who signed up and filed an unemployment claim weeks ago, still have yet to get anything and the unemployment office is telling them that in addition to money coming to them now, they will retroactively send them monies owed from before. This is the reality many people are facing.

Broadway Flash said: "I don't really think there is a precedent for this situation though. I really don't think things aregonna be thatbad when the city opens up. People would go out to bars and clubs and theatres right now if they could."

It is foolish to think that the bus and tunnel crowd will be rushing in quickly, especially if the inventory has mostly been open for many years. ‘I can’t wait to get tickets to see Phantom yet again.’ Also, tourists will be a trickle. Manhattanites are not going to rush to the theatres in sufficient number to make them viable. The question in my mind is how many more new shows will give up before a reopening, which I sadly do not think will be in June. In any event, it is going to be a slow start unless they do some creative pricing, e.g., week 1 all available tix are discounted 70%; week 2 65%; etc. I m not even saying that will work; rather, that a gimmick like that will be needed to invent many to attend.

I wasn't sure which thread this should go in, but this seems as good as any.

How Can Broadway Recover From This Pandemic?

Broadway Flash said: "When the theatres open up, the city will be back to work. I wasn't insinuating people use their unemployment money to go see a show lol"

You really are clueless about the world - economy a crisis...Btw, how young are you and what do you do and how are you paying bills during the pandemic?

Broadway Flash said: "When the theatres open up, the city will be back to work. I wasn't insinuating people use their unemployment money to go see a show lol"

When theatres open unemployment will likely still be at a record high.


Add in people needing to catch up on bills and mortgages they deferred... people need to find jobs. People need to pay for funerals for their dead family who died from COVID. Broadway will not be a priority for many. Some will go. I am sure. But enough to sustain? Rather doubt it.


And don’t forget all the money being spent now will need to be paid back. I am unsure how it works for America, but here in Canada I guarantee next year... and the years to follow will have HUGE tax increases to try and pay off the debt we will be digging right now.

But then why would they be able to do anything else? Why would everything else start to open except the theatre? Thats my question. How is it fair for people to go to some places, but not others?

Broadway Flash said: "But then why would they beable to do anything else? Why would everything else start to open except the theatre? Thats my question. How is it fair for people to go to some places, but not others?"

It will not be just the theaters. Sports events, malls, street fairs, public celebrations, parades, churches, museums, etc.. The challenging problem will be the public transportation system.

It will not be just the theaters. Sports events, malls, street fairs, public celebrations, parades, churches, museums, etc.. The challenging problem will be the public transportation system.


Isn't this the situation we are already in? Non essential work is shut down. This conversation started with the question of what happens when non essential work starts up again.

your charts, articles, and information is all speculation. I think i'll listen to insiders who actually understand the business, unlike you.

Sutton Ross said: "Um....there is no rush. It will be a very long time before groups of more than 500 people or more are legally allowed to be together. You refuse to read all the articles, charts and information we have given you. You refuse to answer questions that Robbie ask you, your ignorance is incredibly sad, you clearly know nothing about this pandemic and are severely in denial. It's pointless to continue communicating with you because of all those things, so we are done here."

So, up until now I have been a silent observer on these forums. You know your stuff, Sutton- kudos. I always enjoy reading your posts.

I myself am definitely in denial, but I don't take my denial in insulting others and tuning out. The main reason I am in denial is because I had a ticket to "Six" in both London and NYC. London has already been cancelled and I'm sure it won't take long for NYC to be, too- it's July. But it just seems as if it's not meant to be.

But, I think to myself- even though I have now missed the chance to see this show in two different regions of the world, by not going to London, I'm much better off.

I think it's okay to be in denial over this. But there's healthy denial and there's toxic denial. My denial is that I've just sat, afraid to get my hopes up by listening to Ex-Wives. I'm viewing statistics, but I still have a glimmer of hope. But if the hope falls through? I won't find myself insulting others. I will just pick up the pieces and move on. Maybe donate the refunded money to a charity. It's a sad time, but it's reality. It's beyond our control. I don't use my denial to come on and not hear opposing opinions. In fact, that's why I come on here a lot just to read, I'm interested in hearing other opinions and seeing statistics, but I myself still have my own belief and hope.

If my July trip falls through, then I will try "Six" again a third time in the future. The only thing that would keep me from it is a closure, which is doubtful, but always a reality. But I will not go if I think it will harm others, I will just plan the trip in 2021.

Updated On: 4/9/20 at 04:57 PM

Broadway Flash said: "You are clueless other than your terrible predictions. If the community thought nobody was going to the theatre any time soon, as you do, why are they in such a rush to open up?"

Just as June 7 is a terrible prediction by the Broadway League...It will reopen once the virus is under control is that difficult to fathom...it could be 2-3 months-doubtful or not till after Labor Day more likely...BWAY is in no rush to open Safety first as Charlotte Martin stated -

Charlotte St. Martin, president of The Broadway League, said," Our top priority has been and will continue to be the health and well-being of Broadway theatregoers and the thousands of people who work in the theatre industry every day, including actors, musicians, stagehands, ushers, and many other dedicated professionals.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/theater/broadway-shows-canceled-june-coronavirus.html

Luminaire2 said: "Sutton Ross said: "Thank you NotThatSmart, I appreciate your words. I think being well informed and in the know about what is going on right now is essential. It's frustrating to me when people refuse to believe charts and graphs from scientists, economists and medical doctors. Those same people seem to be the people still going out and disregarding social distancing. It's very personal to me, my best friends' Father died two nights ago from COVID, and my cousin is currently in the ICU battling this, and he is completely alone.

That poster started off our communication by telling me to "shut the f*ck up" when I was just informing them of facts regarding this pandemic, and consistently attacked and disregarded all of the information we were trying to convey to them. I am frustrated and tired at the willful ignorance of it all. When someone is not open to learning, you have to stop trying. So, that's the story there. Take care of yourself, please."

Sutton, the rest of us are all on the same page of you. We all know how the world works. How broadway works. we know the reality of what is going to take place. Broadway will be back, most certainly. But it will be a major battle, and many shows are not going to survive.



I heavily predict, even if many are able toreopen,unless you’re a Hamilton, Wicked, or Lion King type show... the battle is gonna be tough, and those shows will most likely close."



1/2 the shows on BWAY just won't be able to make it once this is over.-then we'll have to deal with the second wave later in the year or early next year..

Don't tell that to BWAY FLASH he'll have a heart attack as he can't handle reality -he's in major denial about what's happening in the world and BWAY