New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced in today's press conference that New York City will begin its first phase of reopening on June 8. This means that manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail operations, will return for business, putting over 400,000 New Yorkers back to work. Face masks and social distancing will still be required of employees.

Today, our Behind the Curtain interview is with Joe Dulude II, makeup designer for Broadway, Off-Broadway and the West End.

Hadestown, which had previously announced a tour beginning this fall has delayed the launch of the tour. The previously scheduled official tour opening in Hartford where the show was to run October 20 - 25, 2020 has been officially postponed. Dates for the tour as late as mid November are currently not on sale.

The official Twitter account for Les Misérables has announced that all current engagements for the The North American tour will be postponed until further notice due to the health crisis.

The Stage has reported that Andrew Lloyd Webber is using the London Palladium as a testing ground to develop methods that could make theaters safe for the return of audiences. 

Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group have announced that their new UK and Ireland Tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, which had only played its opening date prior to a 14 month tour, will not re-open.

Earlier today, Actors' Equity Association hosted a conversation with Dr. David Michaels, the public health expert who is consulting with the union to determine how and when it will be safe for workers and audience members alike to return to the theatre.  

A new survey conducted shows that only 19% of audience members of U.K. arts venues and theaters will be willing to return to events, even after venues reopen.

New York City has opened up 43 miles of streets for pedestrians to use for walking.

Today, our Behind the Curtain interview is with Michael Anthony, the bar manager for the Richard Rodgers Theatre.

The iconic digital billboards will go dark to alert the nation to the very real prospect that hundreds of thousands of American restaurants, non-profits, and retailers - employing millions - are in danger of going dark because existing federal assistance programs are not achieving intended goal.

A new report from the New York Times shows that many theaters across the U.S. are beginning to lose hope of returning to the stage before the year is out. 

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group is discussing guidelines that will need to be in place in order to safely reopen productions on the West End.

Today, our Behind the Curtain interview is with Peyton Becker, the Production Stage Manager for the Mean Girls First National Tour.

The National Theatre and Sonia Friedman Productions are joining a number of other UK arts organizations calling for government intervention to rescue the industry which Friedman describes as 'on the brink of total collapse.'

A group of UK theatres have sent an open letter to their networks of freelancers.

National Theatre has announced via Twitter that they have canceled their performances in July and August. The National Theatre website shared that the National Theatre building is currently closed to the public until 31 August.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS announced today that it has sent $5 million from its COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund to The Actors Fund, ensuring thousands who work in theater and the performing arts receive vital, lifesaving support during and after this devastating pandemic.

The DCMS committee is calling on Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden to provide relief, stating, 'The Government needs to step up for cultural institutions. Additional financial support needs to be provided to individuals and institutions in the creative industries that are unsuccessful or ineligible for Arts Council England (ACE) funding.'

Today, our Behind the Curtain interview is with Bishon Prushankin, Bartender for The Public Theater and Nederlander theatres.

It has been announced that the 'pre-Broadway' production of Michael R. Jackson's hit musical, A STRANGE LOOP at Woolly  Mammoth Theatre has been postponed to summer 2021. The musical, which won 2020 Pulitzer Prize winner for drama was set to begin performances in September 2020. 

NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio provided updates on COVID-19 today in a conference at City Hall. He spoke about precautions going into the summer, working on opening up the artistic sector of the city and more.

Bette Midler is personally matching donations to Broadway Cares' COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund, up to $100,000.

Actors' Equity Association has released the following statement following the announcement that Disney's Frozen close on Broadway.

The Actors Fund announced today that, as of May 13, 2020, it has distributed a record-breaking amount, over ten million dollars ($10,500,000.00) in just eight weeks to help provide emergency financial assistance for those in need due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.