Posted: 4/8/20 at 2:42pm
Posted: 4/8/20 at 2:56pm
It's safe to say I'm not seeing any shows, going to any sporting events, attending in-person religious services, or meeting up with my extended family until a vaccine becomes available for the world to combat this pandemic. This could take 18 months, it could take 40 years like polio, who knows. But I have been so grateful for outside-the-house leisure activities, and I believe I've had enough of them so far to last the rest of my life. COVID-19 will likely crush my dreams of becoming a music director, and if I'm lucky, I may get a desk job instead outside of the theatre field- I'm not complaining though.
Posted: 4/8/20 at 3:14pm
BWAY Baby2 said: "I would like to know- would anyone here seriously entertain the idea of sitting in a crowded BWAY theater before a treatment or vaccine is available? I bet I am going to be surprised by the answers- but for most people- I assume safety and caution when it comes to health matters always comes first."
That's the major concern...tourists are not going to be flocking to NYC-BWAY this summer to be in a cramped theater filled with people...it's just not happening that quickly! We are not going back to the way it was...after the pause we will hit the reset button and take in the new world that will require some sort of social distancing plan.
Posted: 4/8/20 at 3:30pm
As long at things are reopened by the end of July, I will be there for my Birthday like I always am. That's a family tradition. If not by then, I just re-bought my tickets for Six October so I guess that's my next time I will be back.
Posted: 4/8/20 at 3:35pm
Posted: 4/8/20 at 4:08pm
Interesting what DELTA is doing on flights now with regard to Social Distancing... Do we think Theaters will take similar measures in the future by not filling every single seat and keep seats open....thoughts? Will we ever go back to filling every seat and being cramped in theaters...hopefully not!
Delta Announces Social Distancing Steps for Passengers - Delta has now announced that it will be reducing the number of passengers being booked per flight and leaving middle seats open on all flights, labeling them as unavailable upon check-ins. Additionally, status upgrades will not be automatic, but rather can be processed at the gate to allow employees to consider social distancing along with weight and balance issues on flights.
Posted: 4/8/20 at 4:56pm
Do I expect everything to back to "normal"? Not one bit. In fact, some things SHOULDN'T because as it's been said "normal wasn't working". However...seats being filled in theaters, flights, and anything similar kind of has to...maybe I'm missing something, but there's no way they can keep seats open with "distancing measures" and live to tell the tale. Shows would close left and right if they ever got off the ground to begin with, airlines would go under tenfold, etc. What we humans need to do is WASH OUR HANDS and be aware of our own health as well as how we can affect others. I do think that mindset will change among us, but I don't expect theaters and airlines or follow suit. Their survival literally depends on the vast majority of seats being sold.
Posted: 4/8/20 at 5:19pm
Posted: 4/8/20 at 5:24pm
Once there is a vaccine, I will return, so I guess that’s 2021.
Posted: 4/8/20 at 5:26pm
Until we know 100% sure that it's safe to go into a packed theater.
Posted: 4/9/20 at 10:42am
ACL2006 said: "Until we know 100% sure that it's safe to go into a packed theater."
Yeah i second that. I'm fine with not going back to the theater because it IS a luxury and until I'm financially stable (which will take a long time) I will not be buying any tickets. I know it's crowded, and so many people, but I'll be extremely disappointed if they cancel the Broadway Cares Flea Market. I hope it's just postponed...maybe around the holidays!!
Posted: 4/10/20 at 10:21am
The folks that work on Broadway (the actors and everyone behind the scene) are unlikely to put their health and that of their family at risk. Broadway (what shows are left) is unlikely to open before its “safe.”
Posted: 4/10/20 at 12:48pm
jsquared wrote "Technically, unless they are absolutely barred from re-opening, they can have performances starting April 13 and decline refunds because performances occurred."
You're clueless when it comes to business. squared. When patrons spend collectively millions on a product, (theater), the business does owe the customer more than just a refund. Theater is not an essential business. Spend some time reading about business organizations instead of posting imbecilic comments. You might learn something, And you can apologize for your name calling.
Posted: 4/10/20 at 1:29pm
I think the theaters will open sometime in 2021 with adjustments around social distancing approved by the public health department. Masks will more than likely be required and plays will need to be restaged so actors are far apart from one another. Dressing rooms for all staff and bathrooms will need to be reconfigured and arrivals to the theatre will need to be staggered with doors opening much earlier than usual. Otherwise opening theaters will be to risky.
Posted: 4/10/20 at 1:53pm
SmoothLover said: "need to be restaged so actors are far apart from one another. "
This feel extremely ridiculous to me.
If a cast member is medically cleared to perform in a group/cast, they should be clear.
If there is any uncertainty as to their health status, they don't get to perform.
Social distancing doesn't magically keep the virus from spreading. It minimizes people's exposure to unknown.
Cast members aren't going to gather/rehearse/perform in the unknown and socially distance just to be safe.
Posted: 4/10/20 at 4:05pm
For now, I only plan to keep my tickets to Plaza Suite (rescheduling it) and The Music Man. And possibly Assassins. I've always preferred aisle seats but was willing to take other seats if aisles weren't available. Now I probably won't be that flexible. I don't want to be surrounded on all sides and I want to be able to move quickly if needed.
I fully expect masks and maybe temperature checks to be required. If temperature checks aren't required, I expect the Disney shows(tours too) and Mrs. Doubtfire to have them first and then the others will follow suit. I think initially there will be capacity cuts which may unfortunately also mean higher prices. I also expect changes to food/beverage service and merch stands to avoid long lines.
Posted: 4/10/20 at 4:23pm
No surprise that this county is comprised of all kinds of people- with different perspectives on what constitutes safe behavior during this pandemic. I suppose if temperature checks are mandatory before entering a show is instituted- that would be comforting- but how about airports since I live in Atlanta? I am not one to take chances when it comes to health- hate even going to grocery store. But, food is a necessity and I do not feel that theater is a necessity - though many people might disagree. I think most people will not travel until airports are safe- and that cannot happen until a treatment or vaccine appears. I am very disappointed that my Music Man tickets might have to be cancelled- but I am not putting myself in a potentially dangerous health situation to see Jackman and Foster- which will be heavenly, I am sure- but not heavenly enough to actually end up there sooner rather than laster.
Posted: 4/10/20 at 4:45pm
I'm back the first night they open.
As soon as things are safe, they will open.
Posted: 4/10/20 at 5:16pm
I have tickets to The Music Man in October, and while I would love to say I will be raring to go...the fact is, I just don't know. A lot of it depends on what happens between now and then, how close we are to a reliable treatment, whether loosening restrictions causes a resurgence, etc. I have family and friends who are in high risk categories. My own immune system is kind of flaky. As much as I have wanted to see Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster on the stage, I can't risk my own health if things in the world are still dicey. The group I'm supposed to travel with feels the same.
Posted: 4/10/20 at 8:23pm
Posted: 4/10/20 at 10:04pm
Posted: 4/11/20 at 12:26am
As soon as things are safe, they will open.
Not sure things are that cut and dried. You obviously trust government a lot more than I do. Just because the government says things are safe- as they did in January, February, and the beginning of March- does not make i so. I trust Cuomo and De Blasio to make these decisions- but still- no decision like this can be foolproof- and the consumer will still have to make a judgement based on risk/reward.
Posted: 4/11/20 at 4:05pm
BWAY Baby2 said: "No surprise that this county is comprised of all kinds of people- with different perspectives on what constitutes safe behavior during this pandemic. I suppose if temperature checks are mandatory before entering a show is instituted- that would be comforting- but how about airports since I live in Atlanta? I am not one to take chances when it comes to health- hate even going to grocery store. But, food is a necessity and I do not feel that theater is a necessity - though many people might disagree. I think most people will not travel until airports are safe- and that cannot happen until a treatment or vaccine appears. I am very disappointed that my Music Man tickets might have to be cancelled- but I am not putting myself in a potentially dangerous health situation to see Jackman and Foster- which will be heavenly, I am sure- but not heavenly enough to actually end up there sooner rather than laster."
I expect airports to have the temperature checks too. There are airports in Asia that already have the machinery for this.
I have a heart condition so am in the high risk category myself. But at the same time, I like having something to look forward too so I'm cautiously optimistic for now about Music Man and Plaza Suite.
Posted: 4/13/20 at 4:46am
AllThatJazz2 said: "I have tickets to The Music Man in October, and while I would love to say I will be raring to go...the fact is, I just don't know. A lot of it depends on what happens between now and then, how close we are to a reliable treatment, whether loosening restrictions causes a resurgence, etc. I have family and friends who are in high risk categories. My own immune system is kind of flaky. As much as I have wanted to see Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster on the stage, I can't risk my own health if things in the world are still dicey. The group I'm supposed to travel with feels the same."
I’m in the same boat. My boyfriend no longer feels comfortable traveling to NYC and I don’t blame him. Really hoping they allow refunds for those who cannot risk getting sick if the show actually goes on as planned.
