Lonely on The Great White Way

So when will the Great White Way really open? The date keeps getting pushed back and now according to the Broadway League, it’s at least to the end of May 2021.

All ticket sales for Broadway performances are suspended through at least May 30, 2021. Individual productions will determine the performance schedules for their shows thereafter.

It seemed like almost yesterday when I sat in the theater shortly before March 12 watching and enjoying Girl From The North Country, checking my busy calendar at intermission to see what shows I was booked to see the remainder of that week.

Well, Broadway theaters have been dark since then when the pandemic brought the curtain down on 31 active productions, including eight shows in previews. It also halted eight other productions that were in rehearsal for a spring opening. Head whirling isn’t it!

And now, with the realization that most Broadway theaters seat more than 1,000 people in really tight quarters, how could social distancing even be possible?

There are nearly 97,000 workers who rely on Broadway for their livelihood with an annual economic impact of $14.8 billion to the city per Charlotte St. Martin of The Broadway League. And the exceptional shows that people were eagerly anticipating, like The Music Man (you can see all the signage up at the Winter Garden), has pushed its opening to spring 2021. Who wouldn’t be waiting to see Hugh Jackman, Sutton Foster, Jayne Houdyshell, Jefferson Mays on the same stage in this grand musical revival, directed by Jerry Zaks with Warren Carlyle choreographing.

MJ the Michael Jackson Musical, starring Ephraim Sykes, is now scheduled to begin performances in September 2021 at the Neil Simon Theatre. The book is by Lynn Nottage, direction/choreography by Christopher Wheeldon and a songbook of some of the best-loved, iconic, top selling songs.

Some housekeeping: Anyone who has Broadway show tickets for dates through May 30, 2021 should contact their point of purchase for refund and exchange information, the League noted.