Thoughts on Theater 5 months into The Shutdown

So what are you feeling about theater at this point and specifically Broadway?

For the last 5 years I have probably spent $2000 a year on tickets seeing on average 18-20 shows a year. I was even on Broadway two nights before the shutdown seeing The Minutes (I loved it). But fast forward to now.

Now, I feel my love affair with theater and Broadway slipping. It’s like a relationship ending. Its part of my identity with my friends (especially with friends on FB), but now, now I dont know. Do I really want to go back to NYC and spend $2000 a year and all that time chasing the next show? Maybe, and then, maybe not.

About a month ago I started listening to the New Yorker Fiction Podcast and the New Yorker Writers on Writing Podcast and in a weird way, listening to the short stories read aloud , it kind of feels like a theatrical experience. They are short, to the point and some of them are amazing! Of course, I can listen from anywhere. It even prompted me to get a subscription to the New Yorker Magazine so I could visit their archives and read as many past stories as I want to. Will that be enough for me in the future when Broadway reopens? I dont know its hard to tell. But since Broadway may not open until March 2021, I dont know if Ive lost my steam to put forth the money and effort to get myself to NYC to see the next show and the next show and the next show?

Of course its too early to tell really, but what have you been doing in the meantime to satisfy yourself with storytelling? I love Broadway but do I love it enough to start going back? Plus so many negative stories are in the media about the violence in NYC now. Is it safe to go back? To walk in the streets? Im not really a scared person and have always felt comfortable walking in Manhattan.

Updated On: 8/26/20 at 10:40 PM

iluvtheatertrash said: "If you think the city is “fine” in month 5 of a global pandemic that has decimated our economy, you’re delusional."

No, you’re delusional.

i think my eyes just rolled outta my head!

I understand where you're coming from. I don't find myself missing theater at all really (much like I don't miss going to the movie theater). That said, I think I will start missing it again once it actually comes back and I have that "fear of missing out" that kids are always talking about.

As a New Yorker, this is very interesting. I've been here the whole pandemic and for me and friends who are in the same position, COVID is far and away the biggest fear. My biggest concern for theater coming back (before a vaccine), would be worrying whether everyone in the audience would actually keep their masks on or if tourists from elsewhere would decide that it isn't needed and take it off. I miss theater tremendously, but it would be a question of risk tolerance for me. For instance, I still don't see anyone inside, just meet up with friends out of doors and 6 feet distanced, and have yet to eat at a restaurant. That being said, I miss it so much that theater will probably push me to take more risks than I would for anything else.

The crime did increase a while back, mainly because people were unemployed and thus stressed and had time to get really angry at people they knew. The violence seems to be along the lines of "You disrespected me for the last time" or "If you're dead you can't turn me into the police for fraud." It's gone down the last couple of weeks it seems, or at least in my neighborhood. I assume because people are getting to go back to work. And it seems like it's been a while since the cops tear gassed people.

I can understand and relate to the feeling of being nervous when passing by homeless people, people on drugs, mentally ill people who scream at you, etc. I definitely find myself nervous in those situations - it's hard not to. But I think all of us (including myself) should really stop and reflect about how sad it is that we see people like this on the street, and our first thought is to be scared for our own safety, and not consider the safety of those individuals on the street. While there are certainly cases of mentally ill people attacking passers by, those cases are by far the exception. In most cases, the worst that will happen is that someone will scream at you, and you just walk on by. Meanwhile, all of these people are fighting for their lives every day.

Maybe it's because I'm from the Bay Area and prior to moving to NYC in 2011 I worked in downtown San Francisco for many years, but seeing homeless people around here doesn't get my hackles up. It's unfortunate and sad and in the winter I often leave ziploc bags for them (with a handwarmer, toothbrush, kleenex, sometimes a packet of peanut butter). But I don't find them alarming to me as an individual.

I've gone into Manhattan three times since March, for what it's worth, and I've slept in my own bed here the whole time.

Crime has increased in most major cities, it isn't specific to New York. Due to this pandemic, millions of people out of work, people becoming newly homeless and the massive budget cuts, the city is hurting. I think because of the lack of tourists and people out in general, it's easier to focus on people blowing someone or shooting up in the street.

There was an interesting article in the NYT regarding how the parks have declined due to their $84 million in budget cuts and 45% less staff than before this all happened. The trash and lack of security in the park has people concerned. The green in parks is all that most New Yorkers have. If there is trash everywhere, and crime occurring, the image of a post 90s NYC goes away. I was walking past the Delacorte the other day and the image of trash bags and random crap around that gorgeous theater that has brought me so much joy a year ago actually made me cry.

People actually do believe the NY Post (which is run by conservative Republicans that endorse Trump) when they tell them that the city is now this dangerous cesspool of needles, murder and feces everywhere. Why would people come here without the ability to eat in a restaurant or watch a show? Broadway won't open with any social distance measures. Tons of restaurants have closed, and no one knows if they will have indoor dining which is pretty crucial as we approach Fall. It's a dismal time but it will improve, slowly and surely.

Updated On: 8/27/20 at 02:47 PM

lolz