BroadwayWorld Strike Coverage Day 2: Q&A with Concierge John Powell of 70 Park Ave. Hotel

As part of BroadwayWorld.com's ongoing and extensive strike coverage, BroadwayWorld.com's Editor-in-Chief Robert Diamond spoke with former actor and current hotel concierge John Powell. Working at Manhattan's 70 Park Avenue Hotel, where he's both a concierge and a "romance sommelier", Powell provided a unique insight for how the strike is effecting tourists and hotel guests.

How is the strike affecting your work as a concierge?

Constant changes are part of the business. The toughest part is that I'm usually giving people great news and making them happy and it's not fun telling them that their plans have changed suddenly. As a result, we work tirelessly to get them alternatives, be it for another theatrical event or for something else to do.

Is this different though, than the 'normal' day to day surprises?

Absolutely, the particular work from day to day has such variables, which is why I like it. It's like being a stage actor as opposed to being on film. It's all different because whatever's thrown at you, you bounce back. This however is a lot to bounce back from.

How have hotel guests been reacting to the news of the strike?

I feel bad for a lot of people, because they're on their first trips to New York and are excited about going to see theatre and now they're not. People save up their whole lives to come to New York City, some of whom are only going to be here once and that's a sad thing, the longer it goes on. The city is many things, and maybe this is because I'm a former actor, but Broadway is the biggest part of the city for me and is such a huge draw.

What has the effect been on where you're sending hotel guests, or if you're hunting for refunds?

We're arranging a lot of ticket refunds. Brokers are actually refunding too, which shocks me! 

It's disappointing, because the theatre season so far has started out great and I love talking up good theatre to my guests. It's a tricky business getting theatre tickets in general because things get snapped up early, sometimes by brokers and sometimes by people planning months in advance so last minute is always a gamble.

Are you sending more guests to Off-Broadway this weekend?

Absolutely.

Is it a tough sell or is it easier given the lack of choices?

I explain to them that so many shows started Off-Broadway and therefore you might see a favorite actor, as well as shows or young actors as they come up. We're driving a lot more traffic there this weekend already. Word of mouth is so important when it comes to shows, so I think that this might be a big boost for Off-Broadway.

How many out of towners are unaware that there's a strike going on and have you breaking the news to them?

A lot of them are actually shocked, because they're coming to me to plan their dinner reservations pre-theatre, or for something to do post-theatre and I have to break it to them that there isn't going to be a CHICAGO to see tonight, so let's find something else for you to do. 

We all hope that the strike ends soon!

As do we. Stay tuned for more strike coverage on BroadwayWorld.com as the story continues to develop. 

70 park avenue hotel marked Kimpton Hotels' debut in New York and offers what they describe as "a haven of quiet luxury for guests seeking the ambience of their very own Park Avenue pied a terre." Fresh from an extensive multi-million dollar renovation under the direction of renowned residential designer Jeffrey Bilhuber, 70 park avenue hotel brings a distinct approach to design, an intimate style and gracious service along with state-of-the-art in-room technology. The hotel is located at the corner of Park Avenue and 38th Street - in Murray Hill.