Broadway Cancelled Until Sept 6- Page 4

[Kad]

Posted: 5/12/20 at 8:29pm

NYC tourism, including Broadway, is very dependent on international visitors. And, frankly, I can’t imagine folks wanting to come here for a while any more than I can imagine Americans wanting to visit Wuhan.

[candydog2]

Posted: 5/12/20 at 8:33pm

I think another logistic though is actually running a show that could easily be shut down at a moment's notice. If a cast or crew member came down with the virus, or even just had similar symptoms, the entire team working on the show may have to self-isolate, potentially shutting the show down for two weeks. If that happens multiple times, what they do? How will the insurance work in such a situation?

 

Putting the possibility of a vaccine to one side though, I do think that the virus will EVENTUALLY subside. I think that being in lockdown with a constant stream of news announcing the death toll has put so much fear into people that the narrative in people's minds has become: "if you get it, you die," which is simply not the case. If numbers begin to fall, even without a vaccine, "normal" life may slowly be reintroduced simply because as long as the numbers of infected people are low, the risk to the average person on the street is low enough to go back to some semblance of their life.

[kaykordeath]

Posted: 5/12/20 at 9:21pm

https://medium.com/swlh/our-industry-isnt-coming-back-like-yours-is-4cbf261194e1

 

"

But, you see, our normal isn’t everyone else’s normal. It won’t return when cities begin to reopen. We can’t just restart this beast of a process overnight. Most events you’ve been to — music festivals, concert tours, conferences — take anywhere from months to years to plan and coordinate.

More importantly, there’s the question of, “When will it be safe to gather?” No one, and rightfully so, will want to be the first to take on the liability of risking attendees’ health and safety to put on events. Furthermore, who gives the ‘all-clear’ for events to gather at all? Will it be for each city or state to decide? The federal government? The industry itself?"

[ArtMan]

Posted: 5/12/20 at 9:43pm

Robbie2 said: 



Where do you live...here in NYC we must social distance while waiting on line to enter the supermarket, pharmacy or any place that is open AND MASKS Must be worn! I was at TJ'stoday and CVS and all workers and customers had masks on! If I were a producer I would wait and on the safe side wait till spring '21 to open a show...I doubt BWAY will open in the fall after Sept 6 and I bet Rudin is already planning on opening Music Man for next fall September 2021!"

Jacksonville, Florida.  Look at the restaurant in Colorado on Mother's Day, that opened for inside dining despite their city rules.  Was so crowded with customers not practicing social distancing and wearing no masks.  The city closed them down and suspended their license.  Beaches in Naples, Florida that reopened a week ago, were closed down again due to people not social distancing.  I'm sure there are tons more serious examples.  They just haven't been caught yet.

Updated On: 5/12/20 at 09:43 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/12/20 at 10:34pm

candydog2 said: "I think another logistic though is actually running a show that could easily be shut down at a moment's notice. If a cast or crew member came down with the virus, or even just had similar symptoms, the entire team working on the show may have to self-isolate, potentially shutting the show down for two weeks. If that happens multiple times, what they do? How will the insurance work in such a situation?



Putting the possibility of a vaccine to one side though, I do think that the virus will EVENTUALLYsubside. I think that being in lockdown with a constant stream of news announcing the death toll has put so much fear into people that the narrative in people's mindshas become: "if you get it, you die," which is simply not the case. If numbers begin to fall, even without a vaccine, "normal" life may slowly be reintroduced simply because as long as the numbers of infected people are low, the risk to the average person on the street is low enough to go back to some semblance of their life."

it will never get back to normal. If it ever did though it would be to late and damage to the economy would be done. Social Distancing - a term I have begun to despise" could forever destroy live theater and take with it all restaurants and Hotels in the area. Add to that transportation to and from NYC as well.  Be careful what you wish for as you may get it.The cure may be worse than the disease which is only fatal to 1% of confirmed cases  

Updated On: 5/12/20 at 10:34 PM

[djoko84]

Posted: 5/12/20 at 10:47pm

The title of the thread should be changed to "at least Sept 6" because we all know it's going to last a lot longer than that. A more realistic date would be next year, maybe around March. If that is the case, the Tonys can combine both seasons for their awards. Of course, this all depends on how the second, third, possibly fourth waves go.

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 5/12/20 at 10:49pm

Mr Roxy said: "candydog2 said: "I think another logistic though is actually running a show that could easily be shut down at a moment's notice. If a cast or crew member came down with the virus, or even just had similar symptoms, the entire team working on the show may have to self-isolate, potentially shutting the show down for two weeks. If that happens multiple times, what they do? How will the insurance work in such a situation?



Putting the possibility of a vaccine to one side though, I do think that the virus will EVENTUALLYsubside. I think that being in lockdown with a constant stream of news announcing the death toll has put so much fear into people that the narrative in people's mindshas become: "if you get it, you die," which is simply not the case. If numbers begin to fall, even without a vaccine, "normal" life may slowly be reintroduced simply because as long as the numbers of infected people are low, the risk to the average person on the street is low enough to go back to some semblance of their life."

it will never get back to normal. If it ever did though it would be to late and damage to the economy would be done. Social Distancing - a term I have begun to despise" could forever destroy live theaterand take with it all restaurants and Hotels in the area. Add to that transportation to and from NYC as well. Be careful what you wish for as you may get it.The cure may be worse than the disease which is only fatal to 1% of confirmed cases"

 

I completely agree with you. We’ve been experiencing similar things here and right now 15% of the local stores here have actually closed for good. Never mind if these restrictions continue to bare down. Half of the theatre companies here that are not government funded have closed up as well. And with that takes a cut into all businesses linked to a night out. I truly believe the damage moving forward will be the greater threat. And I feel it echos into the broadway theatre as well

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 5/12/20 at 10:56pm

"The cure may be worse than the disease which is only fatal to 1% of confirmed cases "

Tell that to my dead friends.

Glad you're feeling better.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/12/20 at 11:05pm

"The cure may be worse than the disease which is only fatal to 1% of confirmed cases "

Tell that to my cousin and best friend's Dad. 

Despicable. 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 5/12/20 at 11:38pm

Mr Roxy said: "candydog2 said: "I think another logistic though is actually running a show that could easily be shut down at a moment's notice. If a cast or crew member came down with the virus, or even just had similar symptoms, the entire team working on the show may have to self-isolate, potentially shutting the show down for two weeks. If that happens multiple times, what they do? How will the insurance work in such a situation?



Putting the possibility of a vaccine to one side though, I do think that the virus will EVENTUALLYsubside. I think that being in lockdown with a constant stream of news announcing the death toll has put so much fear into people that the narrative in people's mindshas become: "if you get it, you die," which is simply not the case. If numbers begin to fall, even without a vaccine, "normal" life may slowly be reintroduced simply because as long as the numbers of infected people are low, the risk to the average person on the street is low enough to go back to some semblance of their life."

it will never get back to normal. If it ever did though it would be to late and damage to the economy would be done. Social Distancing - a term I have begun to despise" could forever destroy live theaterand take with it all restaurants and Hotels in the area. Add to that transportation to and from NYC as well. Be careful what you wish for as you may get it.The cure may be worse than the disease which is only fatal to 1% of confirmed cases"

 

UGH You sound like TRUMP and yes Despicable. 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 5/12/20 at 11:40pm

Curtains for Broadway: No Shows Until Labor Day, at Least

The Broadway League canceled performances through Sept. 6 and said it did not know when they might resume.



https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/12/theater/broadway-coronavirus.html?fbclid=IwAR2p3epWczZ2QoCFllrob9ia7E2mMLbwkk6sI_DEfQT1n9l2tWAAncnpqY4

[Robbie2]

Posted: 5/12/20 at 11:53pm

ArtMan said: "Robbie2 said:



Where do you live...here in NYC we must social distance while waiting on line to enter the supermarket, pharmacy or any place that is open AND MASKS Must be worn! I was at TJ'stoday and CVS and all workers and customers had masks on! If I were a producer I would wait and on the safe side wait till spring '21 to open a show...I doubt BWAY will open in the fall after Sept 6 and I bet Rudin is already planning on opening Music Man for next fall September 2021!"

Jacksonville, Florida. Look at the restaurant in Colorado on Mother's Day, that opened for inside dining despite their city rules. Was so crowded with customers not practicing social distancing and wearing no masks. The city closed them down and suspended their license. Beaches in Naples, Florida that reopened a week ago, were closed down again due to people not social distancing. I'm sure there are tons more serious examples. They just haven't been caught yet."

 

Are you and residents wearing masks and social distancing in Jacksonville, FL!? I doubt it! 

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 5/13/20 at 2:26am

Kimbo said: "blaxx said: "Sorry but The Music Man is officially doomed."

It's not doomed, it'll just be pushed back a year, till fall 2021. (I've been saying for weeks that under its current plan there was no plausible way it could start on schedule, despite Jackman's vague interviews to the contrary, since even if Broadway were up and running by the fall, Sutton Foster will be committed to shooting the next season of "Younger" - which was supposed to begin filming in March - before she can begin rehearsals for a stage show... and in any case everyone seems to agree TV and film production will resume before stage does.)

Similarly, for what it's worth, I'm hearing that internal discussions on Broadway are confronting the likelihood that the business will be shut down till at least January, with next March or April more likely. I'm sure everyone will say "that'll never happen", or "whoa, that's getting way ahead of things" - but that's just what I'm hearing. As has been reported elsewhere, they don't want to risk resuming this fall if there's even a sliver of a chance there'll be a second outbreak or another shutdown - not to mention that insurance wouldn't be available and additional money couldn't be raised under those circumstances. And then, the thinking goes, with tourism at a low anyway during the winter, and flu season at a high, why would they resume performances in January, the toughest months of the year under the best of circumstances - so might as well wait an additional 2 or 3 months at that point. BY which point, with any luck, the virus might have mutated, herd immunity could be taking effect, and regardless there's a better chance that by then there'll either be a vaccine, or at least better drug treatments.

I agree it seems inconceivable for Broadway to be shut down for an entire year - but I fear that the Guthrie announcing last week that they aren't resuming till March 2021 will prove prophetic, and that New York will go that route as well. (The question isn't what shows survive, since many will, thanks to insurance, intrepid and committed investors, etc. - the question is how long it takes Broadway as a whole to bounce back after that, in terms of general audiences, older theatergoers and tourists. In the meantime, all we can do is stay safe and hope these internal projections prove to be worst-case scenarios that don't come true. And do everything we can to elect more responsible officials this fall who take things like this seriously.)

"
I felt the same way when I heard the news about the Guthrie. It all makes sense...

 

[Damiensta]

Posted: 5/13/20 at 2:40am

https://deadline.com/2020/05/broadway-shutdown-reopening-september-6-ticket-refunds-1202932410/

[WestEndGal]

Posted: 5/13/20 at 4:10am

I think the idea that we need a vaccine before theaters can reopen again is just not feasible - you’re not going to eliminate the risk of covid entirely, so it’s go to get to a stage where the virus spread is at low enough levels that opening theaters becomes manageable if there were to be an outbreak, and there are sufficient testing and track and trace measures in place. So yeah, I can see that not being until next spring given the likelihood of another wave this winter, but I hope it might be sooner.

This article is interesting - about how South Korea has kept all its theaters open during the crisis and are dealing with any outbreaks by extensive testing and tracing.

https://www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/we-can-learn-from-south-korea-where-theatre-has-stayed-open-for-business

[brdway411]

Posted: 5/13/20 at 5:12am

Alex Kulak2 said: "Boy, I sure do love my career choice just not existing anymore. This must be how milkmen felt."

Chef in Manhattan, with a husband in the high risk catagory. Instantly out of work. Want to work, but afraid I could bring home to husband. Years spent working and excelling to be taken out by a bug. Not sure when if, we will reopen. Just south of theater district. 

 

[brdway411]

Posted: 5/13/20 at 5:21am

220Basswood said: "I was naively hopefulthat I would be able to see Hugh Jackman on September 11th and Company on the 12th. I think I officially lost all hope when I saw today's announcement.

I think I jinxed myself when the tickets to Hugh's show went on sale and I said how lucky I was that I got center orchestra tickets within the first 20 minutes."

I saw Company right before the closure. Its brilliant. KEEP HOPE. I am dying to see it again. 

[ArtMan]

Posted: 5/13/20 at 7:27am

Robbie2 said: 








Are you and residentswearing masks and social distancing in Jacksonville, FL!? I doubt it!"

Your post makes absolutely no sense.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 5/13/20 at 8:37am

WestEndGal said: "I think the idea that we need a vaccine before theaters can reopen again is just not feasible - you’re not going to eliminate the risk of covid entirely, so it’s go to get to a stage where the virus spread is at low enough levels that opening theaters becomes manageable if there were to be an outbreak, and there are sufficient testing and track and trace measures in place. So yeah, I can see that not being until next spring given the likelihood of another wave this winter, but I hope it might be sooner.

This article is interesting - about how South Korea has kept all its theaters open during the crisis and are dealing with any outbreaks by extensive testing and tracing.

https://www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/we-can-learn-from-south-korea-where-theatre-has-stayed-open-for-business"

They opened nightclubs too. That didn't go so well.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 5/13/20 at 10:06am

@WestEndGal Reopening Broadway depends on more than epidemiological guessing; producers must conclude that people will come back to the theatre and that is highly unlikely without a vaccine or highly effective treatment. There is however another factor that could affect attendance at theatres/shows that can survive entirely on locals, which is that lots of folks are getting positive antibody tests. 

@ArtMan I think what Robbie was conveying is that it does not seem like your city is engaged in the sort of mask+social distancing that is in force in NYC, as evidenced by the lovely photo of Christopher Park. 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/13/20 at 10:20am

To Sutton and Robbie.

Please accept my apologies if you think I was minimizing your loss. All I was doing is stating what knowledgeable people say about it. 2 ER doctors had a video on social media saying that the social distancing is not necessary. Believe it still on you Tube but taken down by FB

My wife and I had a mild case of it Thankfully that was all. Bottom line is it is not fatal to a majority of those infected and I said this in the wrong way. I apologize for it but turning on the TV and Corona is the only thing on . Is it necessary that ever day we have to listen to so called experts like Big Bird DeBlassio and Cuomo go into nothing but the virus. It is bad enough it may have ultimately destroyed our every day life but to be bombarded with it 24/7. They do not talk about those who commit suicide over it. Those who are virtual prisoners in their own homes

Again I apologize to you if you think I was heartless.

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 5/13/20 at 10:21am

HogansHero said: "@WestEndGal Reopening Broadway depends on more than epidemiological guessing; producers must conclude that people will come back to the theatre and that is highly unlikely without a vaccine or highly effective treatment. There is however another factor that could affect attendance at theatres/shows that can survive entirely on locals, which is that lots of folks are getting positive antibody tests."

I think this right here is the key: From a purely practical standpoint, it's extremely likely we'd be able to set it up in a way that performances COULD resume either in the fall or at least by January.  But WILL people come back is the question?  Will people be financially stable enough to afford Broadway prices?  Will they feel comfortable being back at the theatre?  Will they have found other things they prefer more than theatre during this time?  Will there be the types of shows coming back that they would want to see?  That's the tricky part.  Not can it reopen, but should it reopen (from a financial standpoint).

One interesting side note though: Talking about the older population which makes up a large portion of Broadway's attendance.  Obviously they are the most vulnerable folks so there's that, but from a financial standpoint, retirees are actually the most stable through all of this as their income hasn't been affected.  So thinking purely from a "who's still able to spend money on Broadway tickets" standpoint, generally speaking there shouldn't be much of a change from older folks going to the theatre (again, strictly from a "can they afford it" point of view).

[ArtMan]

Posted: 5/13/20 at 10:24am

HogansHero said: "@WestEndGal Reopening Broadway depends on more than epidemiological guessing; producers must conclude that people will come back to the theatre and that is highly unlikely without a vaccine or highly effective treatment. There is however another factor that could affect attendance at theatres/shows that can survive entirely on locals, which is that lots of folks are getting positive antibody tests.

@ArtMan I think what Robbie was conveying is that it does not seem like your city is engaged in the sort of mask+social distancing that is in force in NYC, as evidenced by the lovely photo of Christopher Park."

Hogan, I know my city is not engaging in masks and social distancing.  Only certain places require masks to enter, such as Costco.   That was the point of my detailing about my Walmart shopping experience in my post dated 5/12 at 5:51.  He asked me where I live.  I told him and included examples of other cities not practicing social distancing and wearing of masks, either.   He then told me that Jacksonville, where I live, was not practicing social distancing and wearing of masks. I already knew that as stated in my original post.  So unless I'm missing something, his post does not make sense.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 5/13/20 at 10:24am

double



 

Updated On: 5/13/20 at 10:24 AM

[HogansHero]

Posted: 5/13/20 at 10:55am

@ArtMan I guess then the question becomes what was the point of mentioning the experience in Jacksonville and other cities? Broadway is not going to reopen, or not, because of what is, or is not, being done in Jacksonville et al. Everywhere in NYC is practicing the Costco experience that is, for you, an exception.

@Broadway61004 The primary financial driver is not the patrons but the producers. So long as their is social distancing, there is no financial model for Broadway that is viable so, even if a show were guaranteed to sell out, it would fail economically. (This, btw, is the fantasy/wishful thinking in the Plaza Suite announcement.)