Korea's Phantom of the Opera

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/1/20 at 5:29pm

How PHANTOM in South Korea Survived (and resumed)

Defintely worth the read in what is possible for Broadway(and other theaters) to reopen.

 

The protocols, which are mandated by the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are strict, but they are not particularly space-age. Before entering the theater, audience members are sprayed with a light mist of disinfectant. Thermal sensors take each person’s temperature, and everyone fills out a questionnaire about symptoms and recent places they’ve visited, so they can be notified of any exposures they may have had through the country’s contract-tracing app.

[Tag]

Posted: 6/1/20 at 6:06pm

The measures and protocols in South Korea are so over and beyond anything in place (or that will ever be in place) in New York City.  It's almost like comparing apples and oranges.

[tourboi]

Posted: 6/1/20 at 8:28pm

Tag said: "The measures and protocols in South Korea are so over and beyond anything in place (or that willever be in place) in New York City. It's almost like comparing apples andoranges."

Well, how do you know it's over and beyond what will "ever" be in place? To me, the model they're using (not talking about the contact tracing the gov is doing) within the theatre (backstage and FOH) is something we could adapt for many venues here. It seems to be we should be open minded and champion any/all ideas to help people feel safer and more comfortable and eventually work towards a reopening. 

[Wick3]

Posted: 6/1/20 at 9:50pm

I wonder if more shows will open or do a run in South Korea given how it’s the only city I know of in the world that still has live theatre.

I heard KPOP is thinking of a Broadway run in the future. This may be a good opportunity for its producers to perhaps do a stint in Seoul before going to Broadway.

Updated On: 6/1/20 at 09:50 PM

[Tag]

Posted: 6/1/20 at 10:56pm

tourboi said: "Tag said: "The measures and protocols in South Korea are so over and beyond anything in place (or that willever be in place) in New York City. It's almost like comparing apples andoranges."

Well, how do you know it's over and beyond what will "ever" be in place? To me, the model they're using (not talking about the contact tracing the gov is doing) within the theatre (backstage and FOH) is something we could adapt for many venues here. It seems to be we should be open minded and champion any/all ideas to help people feel safer and more comfortable and eventually work towards a reopening."

I'm referring to what the country/government is doing there, not their backstage protocols (which are relatively simple).

[Wick3]

Posted: 6/2/20 at 8:51am

Not an expert on South Korea here but I have read that given its previous experiences with MERS in 2015 they now prioritize public health over privacy during a pandemic.

I doubt Americans, let alone New Yorkers, may be amenable to using that coronavirus contact tracing app as it may be considered an invasion of one's privacy. Who knows though.

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/2/20 at 9:02am

The number of people ALREADY that are stating to 'unfriend' them if they plan to sign up for any contract tracing is ridiculous. 

I've never understood Americans big concern over privacy issues.  This, cameras at intersections - I don't break laws so why would I care about those things.  Goes along with the people that freak out that my Alexa is spying on me - because  what is it exactly that I have to hide?

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/2/20 at 9:07am

I agree that compliance and privacy mentality in the US and Korea (or virtually anywhere else) are different animals. There are other differences. One that immediately comes to mind is that we have no unified public health policy and another is that we have no limitations on the right to travel. (We also may be facing a new wave of infection because of the lowering of our guard at protests, something we will not know for a couple of weeks but that, if it happens, will solidify the unwillingness of audiences to pack in Korea-style.)

[Robbie2]

Posted: 6/2/20 at 2:45pm

The important message here is that they are leading by example ...a musical theater production is happening now and selling very well in South Korea....the sad thing is that this would never work here on BWAY...we just don't have the order and sophistication (privacy issues-bs) to let what they are doing there as they are far more advanced in their thinking about everything...here. I keep thinking about how is BWAY going to reopen next year with some sort of social distancing protocol? I take it MASKS will be a must for the audience and that the first row of seats may be eliminated but I just don't see temperature checks and the rest of what they are doing happening here that's why it will take much longer for BWAY to reopen...and hopefully by next year -spring 2021.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/2/20 at 3:00pm

@Robbie2, Broadway is not opening with social distancing. The issue is not how it is going to reopen next year but how soon will there be an effective treatment: someone no person here or elsewhere knows yet.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 6/2/20 at 3:54pm

HogansHero said: "@Robbie2, Broadway is not opening with social distancing. The issue is not how it is going to reopen next year but how soon will there be an effective treatment: someone no person here or elsewhere knows yet."

 

So, BWAY is reopening with no new safety-social distancing protocol??? How's that going to happen and how are people going to feel safe going back to sitting in cramped closed theater with nothing changed from the way it was..I don't get why you think or say that? I now seats will not be removed and maybe the first row will remain empty and only be removed but I do think MASKS will be worn by audiences as how will you feel safe from everyone so close. Also, I see more shows without intermission and letting in earlier than 30 minutes prior to theaters. If we only wait for a vaccine...that's going to be many many months if not a year from  today but who knows how long that will actually take?

Updated On: 6/2/20 at 03:54 PM

[Jarethan]

Posted: 6/2/20 at 4:12pm

Tag said: "The measures and protocols in South Korea are so over and beyond anything in place (or that willever be in place) in New York City. It's almost like comparing apples andoranges."

Apples and pianos?

 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 6/2/20 at 4:18pm

Robbie2 said: "The important message here is that they are leading by example ...a musical theater production is happening now and selling very well in South Korea....the sad thing is that this would never work here on BWAY...we just don't have the order and sophistication (privacy issues-bs)to let what they are doing there as they are far more advanced in their thinking about everything...here. I keep thinking about how is BWAY going to reopen next year with some sort of social distancing protocol? I take it MASKS will be a must for the audience and that the first row of seats may be eliminated but I just don't see temperature checks and the rest of what they are doing happening here that's why it will take much longer for BWAY to reopen...and hopefully by next year -spring 2021."

This may sound silly, but it is my understanding, based solely on reading, that Soeul does not really have a theatre district, at least of any size.  I think of the traffic on 44th and 45th Streets in particular before and after curtain, particularly when multiple shows are getting out at around the same time.  It is chaos, with people on top of you everywhere you look.  Unless they can get on top of that issue, what they do in individual theatres may not be enough.  What do the do about the trampling of the bulls pre and post?

Updated On: 6/2/20 at 04:18 PM

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/2/20 at 4:22pm

Robbie2 said: "So, BWAY is reopening with no new safety-social distancing protocol??? How's that going to happen and how are people going to feel safe going back to sitting in cramped closed theater with nothing changed from the way it was..I don't get why you think or say that? "

I assumed you had been reading the many threads talking about this over the last few months but perhaps not. It is not viable to open Broadway with meaningful social distancing. (It is not economically viable.) It is also not viable to open Broadway with people wearing masks in close quarters in an enclosed space. (Even if government permitted it, people would not come in sufficient numbers to be economically viable.) The only option is to wait for a vaccine or an anti-viral of proven efficacy. However long that takes. We will not have Broadway until then.  As I have said before: patience.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 6/2/20 at 4:29pm

HogansHero said: "Robbie2 said: "So, BWAY is reopening with no new safety-social distancing protocol??? How's that going to happen and how are people going to feel safe going back to sitting in cramped closed theater with nothing changed from the way it was..I don't get why you think or say that? "

I assumed you had been reading the many threads talking about this over the last few months but perhaps not. It is not viable to open Broadway with meaningful social distancing. (It is not economically viable.) It is also not viable to open Broadway with people wearing masks in close quarters in an enclosed space. (Even if government permitted it, people would not come in sufficient numbers to be economically viable.) The only option is to wait for a vaccine or an anti-viral of proven efficacy. However long that takes. We will not have Broadway until then.As I have said before: patience."

 

Thanks Hogan and yes I have been reading but I didn't realize it was that cut and dry that BWAY will not reopen till a vaccine...WOW, that may take much longer than we all are thinking? As the talk I'm hearing from industry friends is that rehearsal most likely will be happening Jan-Feb and shows reopening or opening by spring March-April but if we don't have progress with a vaccine in the next couple of months it may not be till next fall 2021? Hmmmm....My medical friends and family in that industry said we are probably not going to have a vaccine for another 12-18 months but who actually knows how long is the uncertainty at this time?

[SweetLips22]

Posted: 6/5/20 at 2:33am

For once I can cut through the way HH loves to show off his use of the English/American language and actually understand and agree with him.

There is no compromise or way to successfully re-open Broadway or other seated venues before a vaccine is discovered. To prove that you have HAD the shot will be the big test. How will a person show that? Only then will things go on to be the 'new normal'.

Every idea to restart entertainment, though well intentioned, is fraught with so many logistical problems that it's not worth the effort to even try.

Wait for the vaccine.

Thank you

[Princeton2]

Posted: 6/5/20 at 3:53am

dramamama611 said: "The number of people ALREADY that are stating to 'unfriend' them if they plan to sign up for any contract tracing is ridiculous.

I've never understood Americans big concern over privacy issues. This, cameras at intersections - I don't break laws so why would I care about those things. Goes along with the people that freak out that my Alexa is spying on me - because what is it exactly that I have to hide?"

Alexa is a different scenario.  I have no problem with a contact tracing app for the sake of public health. But a private company listening in, recording and storing all requests and conversations I have in my home. That I have an issue with and why i wont get one. Plus the fact it's not really something that's needed in daily life.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/16/20 at 9:40am

A little jealous that South Korea is putting up shows right now.

 

RENT opens in Korea, other shows planned this summer.