“Theater Producers “Completely Aligned” With New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Re-Opening Process And Planning, Says Broadway League President” by Deadline’s Greg Evans – ” … the state and the theater industry are working closely on how to re-start … According to [Charlotte] St. Martin, the League is in ongoing touch with the two advisers heading Cuomo’s pandemic efforts, Steve Cohen and Bill Mulrow. … Cuomo has instead encouraged the theater industry to develop its own protocols necessary to re-open the Broadway and Off Broadway venues … ” http://bway.ly/itu42b
REOPENING: “Will the shows go on? Broadway faces challenges as businesses reopen after quarantine orders” by CBC’s Steven D’Souza – “St. Martin says … costs would have to be cut across the board for shows to work with physical distancing still in place. … “That’s lower wages, lower rents, lower costs from all of the designers, lower everything,” St. Martin said.” http://bway.ly/9tgrt0
DEVELOPMENT: “Off-Broadway development moves forward as theaters plan for future” by Broadway News’ Caitlin Huston – “Major nonprofit institutions including the Public Theater, the Atlantic Theater Company and Playwrights Horizons have been checking in with commissioned writers, hosting workshops over Zoom and attempting to plan future seasons that include now-postponed projects. … The Public used Zoom to conduct a recent workshop of “Suffragists” … . [Oskar] Eustis said he does not foresee a partial reopening of the Public’s theaters. “The theater isn’t a social distance medium,” Eustis said. “That means that we either have a vaccine, we have a cure or we’ve developed some kind of herd immunity and the spread has stopped.”” http://bway.ly/l27ac7
MACKINTOSH: “Sir Cameron Mackintosh: ‘Theatres could be closed until next year'” by BBC News – ” … Mackintosh has said that West End and Broadway theatres are unlikely to be able to stage musicals until early next year. … Sir Cameron said it’s impossible for theatres to plan for the future while social distancing is in place.” http://bway.ly/x0260x
FIRST IN THE BRIEFING:
— Music Theatre International, ShowTix4U, and Broadway Media have partnered to create a streaming service that will help organizations obtain the rights to stream live musicals, sell tickets to events, capture and stream performances, and have royalties automatically paid. The new streaming service, which will be based on ShowTix4U.com, is slated to launch in the next six weeks.
— Executive Producers Megan Loughran and Stanley Bahorek will present Broadway Does Mother’s Day, a digital variety show featuring sketches, performances, and appearances from stars such as Harvey Fierstein and Vanessa Williams, plus more than 10 Broadway shows. The event will take place on May 10 at 3 PM ET and will benefit the Broadway Cares’ COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund.
POSTPONED: “Broadway/Equity Fights AIDS Postpones Broadway Bares to Next Year” by Broadway.com‘s Lindsey Sullivan – “Broadway Bares’ 30th anniversary event … is now set for June 20, 2021 at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom. Broadway Bares Fire Island … has also been canceled for 2020. … Plans are in the works to still celebrate Broadway Bares online this summer.” http://bway.ly/i6u23d
FOR GOOD:
“Sing Street: Grounded Benefit Raises $310, 924.00” by BroadwayWorld – ” … for The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS in one day.” http://bway.ly/t4ah7y
“Falsettos Cast Will Reunite For BroadwayEvolved and BC/EFA” by BroadwayWorld – “On Thursday, May 7 … Stephanie J. Block, Christian Borle, Andrew Rannells, Anthony Rosenthal, Tracie Thoms, Brandon Uranowitz, and Betsy Wolfe will reunite … The private zoom conversation … will feature the entire cast as they catch up, share memories from the acclaimed 2016 production, sing, and answer … questions.” http://bway.ly/khp55f
