"The Show Must Go On!'
"The Show Must Go On!'
BudFrump23
Broadway Star Joined: 5/20/03
#1"The Show Must Go On!'
Posted: 1/21/14 at 5:35pm
With the snow piling up outside in New York City today, I was having a debate with a friend at work about the folks who determine whether or not to cancel a Broadway show due to inclement weather, or any other factors.
I understand that the Producers and all involve stand to lose money when a show isn't performed, but when should the safety of the performers, backstage crew, and theater employees be considered? Many stagehands that I know personally live in Westchester, Jersey, or Long Island and drive to work. On a day such as today, with weather pretty crappy out and the snow supposedly not subsiding until the wee hours of the morning, why do a select few (Broadway League, Producers) get to decide when a show is canceled? Will they be at a theater that night? Chances are, they'll be at their own homes staying in from the storm.
Yes, the audiences will come. But with MTA and officials telling citizens that if one doesn't need to travel, one shouldn't (sorry, Broadway isn't a life or death experience, ya'll - you don't NEED to see the show tonight!) - why are they allowed to still perform?
I'm just interested to get some differing opinions on this issue. I'm not sure that I'm for or against shutting down Broadway during a snowstorm - but I do have to consider the commutes of the thousands of employees who have to get to the theater, perform, and then get home afterwards.
I'm as jumpy as a virgin at a prison rodeo!
theatreguy
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/31/03
#2"The Show Must Go On!'
Posted: 1/21/14 at 5:48pmRestaurants, bars, hotels, movie theaters, stores and many other places are staying open. Why shouldn't theaters? They may need to cover for a few employees who can't make it in, and maybe some people will stay with friends tonight, but that's how it goes when you live somewhere that gets the occasional snow storm.
mc1227
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/07
#2Storm
Posted: 1/21/14 at 6:27pmI agree, theater and show employees who live outside the city have plenty of places to crash if they can't get home. With thousands of tourists and workers who stay in hotels, restaurants and theaters do a pretty good business in a storm. A few shows who are not sold out are offering big discounts for their tix today and tomorrow.
The only review of a show that matters is your own.
#3Storm
Posted: 1/21/14 at 6:42pmI think the fact that the shows are in Manhattan also is a reason they wouldn't shut down, unless the entire city did like with Hurricane Sandy. I've been there a couple of times during snow storms. Maybe the roads to drive on weren't the best, depending on the time and what was going on. But, the subways were fine.
"I don't want the pretty lights to come and get me."-Homecoming 2005
"You can't pray away the gay."-Callie Torres on Grey's Anatomy.
Ignored Users: suestorm, N2N Nate., Owen22, master bates
AEA AGMA SM
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/13/09
stevenycguy
Broadway Star Joined: 12/7/05
#6Storm
Posted: 1/21/14 at 11:09pmAs long as the subways are running, the shows will go on. Along 42nd St tonight, the sidewalks were plowed extremely well and walking around was no problem at all (except for the cold winds). According to telecharge, many shows gave ticket buyers the option to exchange to another date, so those from places like Long Island and NJ would be accommodated. By tomorrow morning, you won't even know there was a snowstorm in Manhattan. The hardest part will be putting on your boots and walking to the subway station.
Liza's Headband
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/13
#9Storm
Posted: 1/22/14 at 12:00amLOL yup. This storm has been won by Lizzie.
Words don't deserve that kind of malarkey. They're innocent, neutral, precise, standing for this, describing that, meaning the other, so if you look after them you can build bridges across incomprehension and chaos. But when they get their corners knocked off, they're no good anymore…I don't think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.
Liza's Headband
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/13
#12Storm
Posted: 1/22/14 at 9:21am
I'm always astounded at the lack of reading comprehension by so many posters:
"According to my parents, a state of emergency has been declared."
"Please provide a link to your parents."
or
"Gov. Cuomo is your daddy?
What on earth does the fact that someone reports their parents told them about a state of emergency have to do with thinking that means that it was those parents who declared the state of emergency?
That's like saying "My parents told me a plane crashed in the ocean last night." "Really, why did your parents crash the plane?"
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#14Storm
Posted: 1/22/14 at 9:34amSorry, Patash, you are the one that didn't get it.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Liza's Headband
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/13
Liza's Headband
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/13
