Can we close this discussion now? Focus on your health and staying sane."
This is a broadway discussion board, you know? We are discussing things that have to do with broadway while we are stuck at home. Why do people keep saying things like this in threads.
Yeah that’s, even after only a few days, gotten really old. If you don’t want to talk/read about theater and theater related issues, I’d advise you to go to another message board. And because there’s no actual theater happening anywhere right now, this is going to be continued to be discussed. If that bothers you than you honestly need to find a new website to go to for a while.
Jordan Catalano said: "Yeah that’s, even after only a few days, gotten really old. If you don’t want to talk/read about theater and theater related issues, I’d advise you to go to another message board. And because there’s no actual theater happening anywhere right now, this is going to be continued to be discussed. If that bothers you than you honestly need to find a new website to go to for a while."
Robbie2 said: "BWAY Baby2 said: "How long do you think BWAY will be closed? I know that April 13 is supposed to be the date that shows will again be performing- but this seems to be unlikely to me."
It hasn't been a week yet...expect at least 12-16 more weeks-late June???... I'd say but we just don't know yet.
NYC had 525 new cases overnight bringing the total
Coronavirus Cases in N.Y.C. Near 2,000 as Testing Expands: 2382 in NY State
Midway through a grim week, the virus continued to spread quickly.
Tri-State Cases Near 5,000, Death Toll Hits 40; 75% of NY Work Force Ordered to Stay Home
Today"s Update: New York City is growing increasingly desperate to curb the spread of infection. As of Thursday morning, the five boroughs had 2,469 confirmed cases of COVID-19 -- an increase of more than 1,100 from the previous day. Six days before that, the city had just 95 cases. Three weeks ago, there were zero.
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
I found this analogy in a NYT op-ed today to be compelling and a likely possibility for what the future may hold.
"The next round of social distancing will be activated more rapidly, because officials — and the public — will be more prepared. It should also be shorter, because we can assume that most of the people who were initially infected are likely to be immune next time around. But it will still disrupt people’s lives and the economy. We will still have canceled conferences and sporting events. People will not frequent restaurants and will not travel. The service industry will be severely curtailed. And it’s going to happen again and again.
Maybe the best analogy is pumping a car’s brakes on an icy road. Either doing nothing or slamming on the brakes leads to an accident. So we pump the brakes — pushing on the brakes, then easing up, and then applying them again — and after three or four times we slow down enough to stop."
AlanB3 said: "I found this analogy in a NYT op-ed today to be compelling and a likely possibility for what the future may hold.
"The next round of social distancing will be activated more rapidly, because officials — and the public — will be more prepared. It should also be shorter, because we can assume that most of the people who were initially infected are likely to be immune next time around. But it will still disrupt people’s lives and the economy. We will still have canceled conferences and sporting events. People will not frequent restaurants and will not travel. The service industry will be severely curtailed. And it’s going to happen again and again.
Maybe the best analogy is pumping a car’s brakes on an icy road. Either doing nothing or slamming on the brakes leads to an accident. So we pump the brakes — pushing on the brakes, then easing up, and then applying them again — and after three or four times we slow down enough to stop."
Yup. Unfortunately, though (and unless someone RADICALLY reinvents the model for how the entire business works - i.e. moving entirely to streaming, etc.), this just isn’t practical or conducive at all for live theater. Especially when you consider that actors can start up on TV shows, movies, etc. and have those suddenly shut down for a few weeks or a month with (comparatively) minor disruption... I just don’t see how, by contrast, anyone enters into contract, let alone pre-production or rehearsal, for an upcoming stage show with the foreknowledge that at any point in the next 6-to-18 months there may be another outbreak causing us to do this all over again.
The overall financial toll on the film and TV industries, sports teams, etc is obviously worse - but at least they can theoretically get some teams together to play ball games for a month on, a month off - they can reopen movie theatres for a few weeks here and a few weeks there, closing them down inbetween - a museum could technically open tomorrow and let people in for however many days they can until the government orders them to temporarily close again- but with the average 2-to-4-week rehearsal period for a regional show, and 4-to-8 weeks for a Broadway musical, I just don’t see how in the world this model of “rounds of social distancing” determined by “several waves of illnesses” allows theatre (or opera, concerts, ballet, etc,) to resume business anything close to normal until the vaccine is readily available and distributed, which everyone is estimating will be around 18 months from now.
(I assume wiser minds than I are ahead of all of us on this one and are talking to various unions and theatre owners about how such a scenario would hurt the industry, and how they can hypothetically work around it.)
During this period- for the people who truly want to focus on health and stay sane- I say- focus on theater and theater related issues- on books, on movies and on focusing on all interests that you enjoy. I am not going to sit around and watch bad news 24/7- so for those who do not want to discuss theater and the ramifications of this pandemic on BWAY and beyond- go somewhere else- I really enjoy reading all of these posts so keep 'em comin'.
Jordan Catalano said: "Well, I already have the tickets and everything reserved so - with all due respect - I already said I’m under no illusion the trip will happen, but while I’m stuck at home, and until I get the email that they’re canceled it’s something to look forward to. So - with all due respect - let people just have their silly fantasies right now. Doesn’t hurt you at all. "
Did you get access to the filming of Endgame if it’s released yet? I believe you might have had tickets. Watch it and see how eerie it must feel now given the timing!!
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
Jordan Catalano said: "Yeah that’s, even after only a few days, gotten really old. If you don’t want to talk/read about theater and theater related issues, I’d advise you to go to another message board. And because there’s no actual theater happening anywhere right now, this is going to be continued to be discussed. If that bothers you than you honestly need to find a new website to go to for a while."
Ok, Jake, I'll talk about it and my opinion is this: Broadway will come back strong but it won't be until Q1 2021. Why not 2020 Q4? People may still be too nervous and scared to come here. Will it be worth it for producers to open shows and after a few full performances playing to to crowds at 30% capacity? Tell me what you think, Jake G.
" I have another trip to London already planned for June and have a bunch of tickets for shows (just like I had this month) and I’m under no illusion those shows will actually happen but I’m going to plan the trip and focus on the possibility of it, while I’m stuck here at home because it’s something concrete to look forward to and I think we could all use something like that right about now. "
First, I hope you get to go to London in June. I don't blame you for trying to be optimistic, there is enough gloom and doom going on. Sooner or later, the world has to get back to living. The numbers are rising due to more testing but let's see if in 3-4 weeks if the curve gets flattened a bit. I do think warmer weather will also help some, we will see. I have a cruise to Alaska scheduled in mid May, have up to three days before scheduled departure date to cancel with getting all the money back. I feel no need to rush, there is till plenty of time. Finally, I have been to London three times in the last several years and love the city. The West End is great and I can get really good seats cheaper in London than NYC.
I am more optimistic than the rest on this thread. Chloroquine and azithromycian will be an effective treatment on the virus. Spring will come again. The threat of the virus will die down as temperatures warm up. I think business will be back to normal by May.
I don't know if this question has been posed. If it has, pardon. What happens to artists' contracts once shows begin to reopen? Some of the original contracts may have expired in the interim. Others have time to go on their existing contracts. What are some possible scenarios? Thanks.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
qolbinau said: "Did you get access to the filming of Endgame if it’s released yet? I believe you might have had tickets. Watch it and see how eerie it must feel now given the timing!!"
I haven’t heard anything about it being filmed. Where did you see that?
Patti LuPone FANatic said: "I don't know if this question has been posed. If it has, pardon. What happens to artists' contracts once shows begin to reopen? Some of the original contracts may have expired in the interim. Others have time to go on their existing contracts. What are some possible scenarios? Thanks."
I will speak on my situation: Equity has to organize with producers & general/co management to freeze then unfreeze contracts. It's easier than starting over because the paper work between agents & managers/unions/general management takes a long time.
Dave13 said: "I am more optimistic than the rest on this thread. Chloroquine and azithromycian will be an effective treatment on the virus. Spring will come again. The threat of the virus will die down as temperatures warm up. I think business will be back to normal by May. "
I hope you are correct! It’s nice to see someone more hopeful!