Times Square Partial Power Outage

[bear88]

Chowd95 said: I'm leaving New York tomorrow after a trip that we started planning a year ago with the main purpose of seeing Harry Potter. A few other shows got added along the way, including Hadestown and The Prom. Maybe devastated was too strong a word, but If I had tickets tonight to Part Two or either of those shows that I have been looking forward to seeing forever and they got cancelled then I would have been extremely disappointed. This trip was very expensive and I don't know when I'll be able to come back. I should have known I would get a response like that on here.

Were you seeing a show tonight that was cancelled or did you have other plans? I hope you got to see everything you were most interested in seeing.

 

[jkstheatrescene]

I'm sorry. Really. You would have every right to be extremely disappointed.

[schubox]

Yeah I made this trip just to see Oklahoma and I had tickets for tonight. I got them when it was a limited run, but they extended and I’ll be back in September and I had an empty slot so I should still be able to see it. Still disappointed thought. Not as disappointed as I was when I got back to my hotel and the elevators were out due to the power outage and I’m on the 26th floor

[Chowd95]

bear88 said: "Chowd95 said:I'm leaving New York tomorrow after a trip that we started planning a year ago with the main purpose of seeing Harry Potter. A few other shows got added along the way, including Hadestown and The Prom. Maybe devastated was too strong a word, but If I had tickets tonight to Part Two or either of those shows that I have been looking forward to seeing forever and they got cancelled then I would have been extremely disappointed. This trip was very expensive and I don't know when I'll be able to come back. I should have known I would get a response like that on here.

Were you seeing a show tonight that was cancelled or did you have other plans? I hope you got to see everything you were most interested in seeing.

Luckily my last show was a matinee today. Had a great time and am sad to be leaving tomorrow.

 

[musicaltheatrechick]

I don’t know if this is the right place to ask this, there is any way for me to get an oklahoma playbill? Like if i write to the theatre? I would really like one even though I didnt get to see it because of the blackout.

[Jordan Catalano]

^ebay.

[Hairspray0901]

I know this has been mentioned already but it’s very amusing all the “B” shows were unaffected. Funny coincidence they’re all in theatres that are East of Broadway!

[Bobmortton]

Hey all! I did Hadestown rush today and got a standing room ticket for the night show of 8/13. Then the power outage happened. I feel like I definitely will get a refund but I'm wondering if I can exchange for another performance...my gut tells me they will not let me due to the nature of rush but I don't see how that might be fair...but then again life isn't..

I know this is a hard question but if anyone could give some insight on if this has happened in the past..Thanks

[Fosse76]

HogansHero said: "Patti LuPone FANatic said: "What are the rules concerning performers' pay, in the event of a blackout?"

seriously? at this moment, that's the question that came to mind?"

Why not? It was a power outage,  not the rapture.  Since it wasn't an "act of God," everyone gets paid. There is usually some kind of advance notice clause with regards to cancelled performances. Trust me,  even the casts of the shows inquired about pay (they weren't nearly as disappointed with the canceled performances as the audiences were).

[mufish]

Bobmortton said: "Hey all! I did Hadestown rush today and got a standing room ticket for the night show of 8/13. Then the power outage happened. I feel like I definitely will get a refund but I'm wondering if I can exchange for another performance...my gut tells me they will not let me due to the nature of rush but I don't see how that might be fair...but then again life isn't..

I know this is a hard question but if anyone could give some insight on if this has happened in the past..Thanks"

I highly doubt they'd allow an exchange - you'll definitely get a refund.  A few years ago during the big blizzard that ended up canceling all the shows, I had gotten a rush ticket for School of Rock earlier that day - just got a refund.  It was a bummer as the seat was in the front row, but it is what it is and I caught it on a subsequent trip.

[LightsOut90]

A Strange Loop canceled and they cant reticket folks because the rest of the run was sold out, lots of disappointed folks

[Toll357]

Can you stop by the theater when it is open before you leave? They would give you one I think. 

[RWPrincess]

I hope everyone who had tickets for tonight is able to reschedule or catch your show on tour. Glad you’re getting refunds easily though. I was reading through some of the responses to the Hamilton twitter account and felt so bad for everyone.

[musicaltheatrechick]

Toll357 said: "Can you stop by the theater when it is open before you leave? They would give you one I think."

I could try that. Thanks! 

[(Insert Clever Name)]

Hairspray0901 said: "I know this has been mentioned already but it’s very amusing all the “B” shows were unaffected. Funny coincidence they’re all in theatres that are East of Broadway! "

Highly doubt that the fact they are all east of broadway is a coincidence.

 

[Wick3]

The last time I recall a power outage in Times Square that cancelled Broadway performances was during the northeast blackout of August 2003 so this happens rarely. 

I'm not familiar with backup generators but would it have made sense for Broadway theaters to invest in one?  Can a backup generator last for 3-4 hours during a performance? I know this is all in hindsight but just some  thoughts this morning.

[Hairspray0901]

(Insert Clever Name) said: "Hairspray0901 said: "I know this has been mentioned already but it’s very amusing all the “B” shows were unaffected. Funny coincidence they’re all in theatres that are East of Broadway! "

Highly doubt that the fact they are all east of broadway is a coincidence.

"

I think you misunderstood my comment. I said funny coincidence that all the “B” shows are in THEATRES east of broadway. I understand that the outage didn’t hit over there, which is (actually) why they didn’t lose power, it’s just a funny coincidence all shows playing on that side of broadway start with a “B”. :) 

[trpguyy]

The cost to buy or rent indefinitely a generator large enough to power an entire theater dwarfs the financial damages involved with cancelling a performance. And since this type of thing is extraordinarily rare, it wouldn’t make any sense at all for a theater or production to acquire such generator. 

[everythingtaboo]

Yes of course there are worse things in the world, but Broadway and coming to New York is a huge expense so you have to feel for these people. For example, last night on the news there was a family that brought their young daughter to NYC because they were finally able to get tickets for Hamilton, and they were in good spirits, but for all we know that could've been her first Broadway show, and it's a lot of money for a missed opportunity. 

 

That said, getting generators doesn't cover one of the major problems during a blackout. If the blackout lasts, there's a public safety issue for tens of thousands of patrons, actors, crew, house staff, etc. when the shows let out. Are they just going to let all those people out into pitch black and leave them to fend for themselves? 

[rpvee]

Some - certainly not all, but some - of the lights on stage during Burn This went out for a minute or two. Otherwise, the show was normal, and even when that happened, the scene just kept going.

[ACL2006]

Majority of the shows that cancelled last night can probably exchange for the matinee today. But the sold-out shows like Hamilton, Hadestown, Book of Mormon, etc. likely can't do exchanges and can only offer refunds unless you're willing to try and see the show again a year from now(well, not BOM).

[KathyNYC2]

Wick3 said: "The last time I recall a power outage in Times Square that cancelled Broadway performances was during the northeast blackout of August 2003 so this happens rarely.

I'm not familiar with backup generators but would it have made sense for Broadway theaters to invest in one? Can a backup generator last for 3-4 hours during a performance? I know this is all in hindsight but just some thoughts this morning."

Many theaters do have back up generators in case they have a power problem. That said, when there is a city wide blackout, it’s not just “can the show go on?” It’s “ can we get these people home safely if public transportation is not working”? You just want to get as many people out of the area as quickly as possible. The power came on pretty quickly last night by blackout standards but that’s not necessarily the norm. Safety over everything else. 

[schubox]

So I got the exchange email for Oklahoma from Telecharge, but problem is, the prices have gone up since I bought these. Any chance if I call Telecharge they can get me the same price or am I screwed?

[ArtMan]

schubox said: "So I got the exchange email for Oklahoma from Telecharge, but problem is, the prices have gone up since I bought these. Any chance if I call Telecharge they can get me the same price or am I screwed?"

I would deal with the theatre box office first, in dealing with your exchange, especially since you had premium seats.  They might be more understanding.  If that flutters out, then deal with Telecharge, (unless you are specifically being told you HAVE to go through them).

[ArtMan]

double