SHUTDOWN:
“Broadway will be dark this summer amid the coronavirus — 3 reasons theaters could remain closed for the foreseeable future” by MarketWatch’s Jacob Passy – “No. 1: Nearly 16% of Broadway theatergoers are over the age of 65. And once you remove tourists from the equation, that percentage goes higher, industry experts said. No. 2: During the 2018-2019 season, tourists from outside the New York metropolitan areas purchased 65% of the tickets sold for Broadway shows … ” http://bway.ly/nswvmr
“Broadway reopening date is just a guess at this point” by New York Daily News’ Chris Jones – “So what are the current scenarios? One, viewed as Pollyanna-ish by some but possible by others, believes in Thanksgiving. … The downside is that international tourism is unlikely to have returned by November. And even domestic tourism to the city looks doubtful. Scenario two — the most popular among the top producers with whom I spoke — is next spring. By March, the hope goes, Broadway can emerge from its forced cocoon just as school groups and spring-breakers coming to the city. … Scenario three? Even later than that.” http://bway.ly/mi4ca2
FIRST IN THE BRIEFING: 3Views has announced that it will now serve as a digital archive, highlighting cancelled and waylaid productions, gathering reflections from theater makers, and spotlighting initiatives. 3Views was originally conceived as an online journal aimed to expand and deepen writing about theater. Each week, 3Views will feature three cancelled productions a week in the hopes that plays with foreshortened lives can be produced in the near future. http://bway.ly/n2bv3a
HOT OFF THE PRESS:
“‘Some Like It Hot’ to open on Broadway in fall 2021” by Broadway News’ Caitlin Huston – “The musical adaptation of “Some Like It Hot” will now head straight to Broadway in fall 2021. The musical was originally slated to make its world premiere in Chicago in 2021, but that engagement has now been cancelled. The Broadway cast, theater and exact production dates have not yet been announced. “Some Like it Hot” features a book by Matthew Lopez, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman.” http://bway.ly/cmki7d
DISNEY: “Disney Theatrical Productions Reveals Next Steps for Hercules and The Jungle Book Musicals, Aida Revival, More” by Playbill’s Dan Meyer – “The stage adaptation of Hercules continues to evolve … A new stage adaptation of The Jungle Book is also in development, with Rajiv Joseph tapped to write the book and Richard M. Sherman composing … Candice Edmunds and Jamie Harrison will now co-direct the world premiere of the Bedknobs and Broomsticks musical following the passing of Rachel Rockwell. Though previously set to premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, the musical adaptation … now intends to launch in the U.K. … [Aida] will premiere in Germany in spring 2022, as opposed to a 2021 North American tour launching at Paper Mill Playhouse.” http://bway.ly/jz00n4
PAGE SIX: “Broadway pros fuming after CBS replaces Tonys with ‘Grease’ singalong” by Page Six’s Ian Mohr – “Gideon Glick … tweeted at CBS, “I’m certain there are a million gays out there who could help you curate a greatest hits of the Tony Awards to air instead!” while … Patti Murin mused of the network’s move, “[Not] a retrospective of past great Tony performances and speeches and moments? Or something highlighting the amazing work that people in theatre do for their community?” … Benj Pasek opined, “Danny can never replace Tony,” … Lin-Manuel Miranda posted a link to the announcement with a vintage photo of Michael Jordan on the court giving side-eye to his much-maligned Bulls teammate Scott Burrell. … Rick Miramontez told Page Six … “As class president of LA’s John Marshall High School during the actual filming of ‘Grease,’ I feel I need to be diplomatic about this one: Let me put it this way, even during quarantine I expect to have something vastly more interesting to do with my June 7 evening than tune in.”” http://bway.ly/adifr0
ON THE ROAD: “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical Tour Announces Closing” by BroadwayWorld – “The tour had been on hiatus for two months.” http://bway.ly/tw7mkc
