HAMILTON to require vaccinations backstage

[BroadwayBen]

Posted: 5/13/21 at 5:38pm

Good for them!  I think this is the right thing to do, and I hope all the shows follow suit. 

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/13/theater/broadway-reopening.html

[BroadwayGuy12]

Posted: 5/13/21 at 5:42pm

Another noteworthy piece of information from that article: "Seller [...] said he does not plan to require vaccination for patrons."

Updated On: 5/13/21 at 05:42 PM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 5/13/21 at 5:48pm

Also of note: "Ticket-buyers are being told they will be required to wear face masks (although it’s not clear how changing advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention might affect that expectation)."  

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/13/21 at 5:57pm

I think that mask wearing note was also part of every ticket I bought this past week.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 5/13/21 at 6:24pm

A couple of things to bear in mind: the article antedates the CDC advice on mask wearing and, as I said in a post below, this does not mean that NY and therefore Broadway will not have its own rules, which may have to do with masks and almost certainly will require either vaccines or tests within the usual time frames. Note specifically that the CDC did not speak to what proof of vaccine/test would be required in places of public assembly although it did expressly exclude from the new guidance any situation involving close quarters which I think most would agree includes a full house on Broadway. My guess is that we will see the state require the same proof that is currently required in New York in event venues (like MSG) and I also think that much relaxation of that, at least until 2022, will have a negative effect on both sales and staffing (including casting). 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 5/13/21 at 7:37pm

Of note in the same piece:

"at least one musical is still hoping to get a jump on “Hamilton,” “The Lion King” and “Wicked” by opening even earlier."

The only musicals that haven't announced reopening plans yet are Hadestown, Mormon, West Side, and Girl From The North Country. Hadestown and Mormon seem like the two most likely to attempt an earlier opening than September 14, but...anyone have scoop?

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/13/21 at 8:02pm

I don't see why any Broadway company WOULDN'T require vaccinations from all their employees, or at least the ones who can't socially distance or wear masks (namely the case, and the people who interact closely with them like stagehands and dressers). Seems like a no-brainer to me.

[Zion24]

Posted: 5/14/21 at 12:10am

JBroadway said: "I don't see why any Broadway company WOULDN'T require vaccinations from all their employees, or at least the ones who can't socially distance or wear masks (namely the case, and the people who interact closely with them like stagehands and dressers). Seems like a no-brainer to me."

Didn't even OCCUR to me that any cast member or theater worker would be allowed in the bldg without vaccination. 

 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/14/21 at 1:30am

BroadwayGuy12 said: "Another noteworthy piece of information from that article: "Seller [...] said he does not plan to require vaccination for patrons.""

But the Nederlanders might. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 5/14/21 at 1:37am

Tapping, I think that’s when everyone says a prayer and hopes those vaccines work as well as Fauci says they do. Tours are such big operations and so many different hands work to make them happen in each city, the producers have to put blind trust in science.

Maybe single-bedroom accommodations? (hah)

The bigger thing with Broadway and tours will be sick days. Folks will be much more inclined to call out of a show now. Vocal fatigue + tiredness also isn’t dissimilar to Covid.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 5/14/21 at 1:40am

But the flu has always been a thing and we weren’t requiring vaccinations then...

[Zion24]

Posted: 5/14/21 at 2:47am

SouthernCakes said: "But the flu has always been a thing and we weren’t requiring vaccinations then..."

this is such a brilliant point before you insert science and reason into the equation.

[bear88]

Posted: 5/14/21 at 5:19am

It seems like such common sense for a producer to want the cast and crew who work in close quarters to be vaccinated that the only holdup I can imagine is union objections or a government mandate. But since the federal government is pretty much giving up on anything but vaccines, and New York really wants Broadway opened to revive its economy, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that the biggest show in town is planning not to require vaccinations.

I suppose Seller could be overruled here, but I doubt he says that without running it by others first. And the other shows aren't even going aw far as Seller about requiring vaccinations of the cast and staff.

 

[Alexander Lamar]

Posted: 5/14/21 at 6:27am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Of note in the same piece:

"at least one musical is still hoping to get a jump on “Hamilton,” “The Lion King” and “Wicked” by opening even earlier."

The only musicals that haven't announced reopening plans yet are Hadestown, Mormon, West Side, and Girl From The North Country.Hadestown and Mormon seem like the two most likely to attempt an earlier opening than September 14, but...anyone have scoop?"

 

Didn’t the league set 9/14 as the re-open date? Are shows allowed to go outside of them and set their own prior to that? I’m always confused about how much power the league has.

 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/14/21 at 10:48am

Alexander Lamar said: "Didn’t the league set 9/14 as the re-open date? Are shows allowed to go outside of them and set their own prior to that? I’m always confused about how much power the league has."

None in this matter. They cannot tell a producer when to open or close a show, nor can they dictate any operating procedures to any individual shows outside the negotiated union agreements already in place.

Note: The union contracts are between the "League" and the union members, which define the basic parameters that must be adhered to by individual producers in Broadway houses (some unions, by the nature of the job, will also have individualized riders, like AEA). So producers must operate within the confines of those agreements.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 5/14/21 at 11:03am

Fosse76 said: "Nonein this matter. They cannot tell a producer when to open or close a show, nor can they dictate any operating procedures to any individual shows outside the negotiated union agreements already in place.

Note: The union contracts are between the "League" and the union members, which define the basic parameters that must be adhered to by individual producers in Broadway houses (some unions, by the nature of the job, will also have individualized riders, like AEA). So producers must operate within the confines of those agreements."

Yes and no. As a threshold matter, there are multiple players other than the League and the unions. Chief among these is the state. Also missing from the equation are the landlords (who of course have a lot to do with what the League does). As a practical matter, a producer who goes against the League is subject to sanction or even being kicked out. It's moot, though, unless and until the date gets moved up, which is not beyond the realm of possibility although I think it is unlikely. (If the dates move up, other shows will want to move up. If other shows move up, then you have a lot of pissed off people who thought they had bought tickets to the first show back, etc etc etc.) I think folks are generally happy with the timetable and a rogue will not be viewed favorably.