The Broadway show thread where we discuss all things Broadway

[WDWJDS]

Has anyone wondered whether the huge Sondheim tribute, with lots of present and ex Broadway stars, has anything to do with this uptick in cases? They were singing, mostly unmasked and packed together, even though it was outdoors. I could see a trickle down effect. It started with the few that attended and they took it back to the rest of the cast and so on, and so on….

 

[ashley0139]

Has anyone wondered whether the huge Sondheim tribute, with lots of present and ex Broadway stars, has anything to do with this uptick in cases? They were singing, mostly unmasked and packed together, even though it was outdoors. I could see a trickle down effect. It started with the few that attended and they took it back to the rest of the cast and so on, and so on….

No. It's running rampant through the entire city right now.

 

[Imzadi]

Has anyone wondered whether the huge Sondheim tribute, with lots of present and ex Broadway stars, has anything to do with this uptick in cases? They were singing, mostly unmasked and packed together, even though it was outdoors. I could see a trickle down effect. It started with the few that attended and they took it back to the rest of the cast and so on, and so on….

No. It's running rampant through the entire city right now.

More likely Thanksgivings gatherings. ABC News tonight said that the daily new cases in NYC are up 765% since Thanksgiving.

 

[Imzadi]

Waitress (which was set to close on Jan 9) and Thoughts of a Colored Man (which had less than a 3 month run) have now closed permanently.

What's also sad is that these casts didn't get a curtain call cheering for them on a closing night, and them being able to savor that.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

got Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on 1/8. I'll probably go anyway, I have nonrefundable train tickets.

 

[Imzadi]

Ain't Too Proud will now closed permanently on Jan 16. They've been closed since Dec 15 due to breakthrough COVID cases. I guess they will try to come back for a few performances before closing forever.

The Lion King says despite it's best efforts, it has to remain closed for tonight and tomorrow's matinee performances. It will try to return tomorrow night.

 

[Imzadi]

A week ago, The Music Man was finally able to start previews for the show. Today, Hugh Jackman has announced he now has COVID. He said symptoms are mild, more like a cold. And he is fully intending to return as soon as possible.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1475883673383845888

I really don't see how that show is going to run for very long. There are just too many actors in that show. Too many chances for more breakthrough cases. This was the curtain call and coming out the stage door after the first preview. They were all so happy and triumphant then, to FINALLY put the show on.

 

[Imzadi]

got Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on 1/8. I'll probably go anyway, I have nonrefundable train tickets.

Your ticket might not be nonrefundable, no matter what it says on the ticket. Those policies were printed in the days before the pandemic. Check the website to see if there are pandemic policies in place. Email for clarification, if necessary. I can't believe they'd expect or want someone to get on a train if they had COVID, for instance, because they didn't want to waste the ticket. (Not saying that you have COVID or would do that. But, some people would.)

 

[AppleDumpling]

A week ago, The Music Man was finally able to start previews for the show. Today, Hugh Jackman has announced he now has COVID. He said symptoms are mild, more like a cold. And he is fully intending to return as soon as possible.

I was going to post about this. My brother and his wife were at the show last night. They were disappointed that they didn’t get to see Sutton Foster (the female lead), but thrilled to see Jackman in this role. They were lucky. Foster tested positive a few days ago and now Jackman. Performances have been cancelled at least through January 1.

 

[mouschievous]

A week ago, The Music Man was finally able to start previews for the show. Today, Hugh Jackman has announced he now has COVID. .

Not at all surprised, seeing as Sutton tested positive. They share too much air (and other things ) for there to be any chance of him escaping it once she had it.

I really don't see how that show is going to run for very long. There are just too many actors in that show. Too many chances for more breakthrough cases.

Yeah, that show is a huge cast. They need to do something like The Last 5 Years with, like, 4 understudies per role. (And there'd still be fewer people than most Broadway shows )

Although I do wonder when we'll get to a point where Covid will basically be like a cold (as Omicron appears to be for many (most?) breakthrough cases) and the show will go on as usual. I'm hoping we're close to that point, actually. Not that anyone wants to perform with a cold or the flu, nor do they want to spread it to the rest of the cast, but we've been performing like that for ages now.

 

[Imzadi]

We have to remember there are certain discussions we can't have or this thread will get shut down.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

if I had COVID I would eat the cost of the tickets if necessary. I don't know if I have it or not at this point, because no symptoms and I don't test daily. As far as I know they are back to pre-pandemic rules with AMTRAK. Unless I get covid here in the DC area which has the highest case count per capita in the country right now, I'm still going.

 

[Imzadi]

The New York City Ballet has now cancelled all remaining performances of The Nutcracker for the season.

 

[Imzadi]

Mrs. Doubtfire is now on an extended pause. They cancelled some shows, came back for a few performances but will now be pausing from Jan 10 through March 14th to avoid a full shutdown.

 

[Imzadi]

I really wanted to see the Immersive Van Gogh exhibition. I've heard wonderful things about it. One friend said she actually sobbed while immersed in all the beauty. TMZ even talked about how great it is. It was extended a few times to finally Jan 9. I was hoping I'd get to see it after the holidays. But, instead, it closed yesterday.

 

[ashley0139]

Mrs. Doubtfire is now on an extended pause. They cancelled some shows, came back for a few performances but will now be pausing from Jan 10 through March 14th to avoid a full shutdown.

This will be interesting to follow. They are hoping that shutting down during January and February (a traditionally slow season for Broadway) will allow them to remain open longer starting in March. I hope it works out for them.

 

[WDWJDS]

Saw The Music Man on Friday and yay!! Sutton and Hugh were both in! Boy, is that one dance heavy show. Those folks were hoofing, even the youngins I enjoyed it immensely.

 

[holden]

I got a full refund on my Music Man tickets (supposed to go end of Jan). I'm glad I did.

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

Saw Moulin Rouge yesterday. Fabulous show! Got some fees taken off and a discount from a mailer! And we were orchestra and purchased them about a week and half prior.
Very safe and organized with getting in to the building. Some shows have ways of telling everyone in the building that vaccination and IDs have been checked, and ours was a wristband. No food or drink served as it is a jujamcyn theatre and that is jujamcyn policy (also mild spoiler but there is a lot of movement through the audience by the cast so I think that is for the better.). Masks must be worn as per Broadway League rules. Although much like with food and drink I’m glad I protected cast and crew wondering through the audience by doing so. Just because I’m vaccinated does not mean something can’t happen. I will continue to wear one (and have been doing so).
Please wear a mask and go see a live show if you feel safe to do so. There are various discounts offered and TKTS line was packed in Times Square many a good discount. Sometimes even going up to the box office will do wonders. Many shows are also bringing back digital lottery and rush now that the reopening phase is complete and now it’s just basic openings (basic in the sense that it’s all shows that were not running prior).
These shows need our help. While Moulin Rouge was I would say 75%-80% capacity yesterday (I didn’t see mezzanine but orchestra was full minus a seat or two and having been in that theatre prior the orchestra takes up about 60%) I knew people who saw it during the week and the orchestra was maybe half full.

Again if you do not feel safe doing so, even with being triple vaccinated, I understand. But these shows deserve audiences. January and February are notoriously bad months for professional theatre due to lower tourism and weather.
That cast gave it their all yesterday. The crew and house staff were amazing. Go support them please.

 

[Imzadi]

The COVID infection rate here in NYC metro area peaked again and stayed high until about mid-January, when everyone was back home again and all those infected got better or died. (This was before vaccinations & the testing availability we have now.) The infection rate kept going down after that. Late January was a lot better than November, December and early January. It probably will be again.

As predicted, it's likely NYC is past the January/holiday peak for COVID. Two weeks ago, the infection rate dropped 50% in one week. This past week it's down another 46%. Unfortunately, it's not enough for Broadway. Two more shows are going on a "pause" or hiatus until the spring & summer.

To Kill a Mockingbird ended its run at the Shubert Theatre last Sunday and will move to a smaller theatre, the Belasco Theatre, on June 1st with Greg Kinnear returning as Atticus Finch. It hopes it can then stay open there in an "unrestricted run."

Girl from the North Country which is currently at the Belasco Theatre will close on Jan. 23, with plans to hopefully return in the spring at another theater. The fact that it hasn't named a theatre or a date does not look good.

https://broadwaynews.com/2022/01/12/to-kill-a-mockingbird-to-move-broadway-theaters-close-for/