“Curtains for Broadway: No Shows Until Labor Day, at Least”by The New York Times’ Michael Paulson – “The announcement is not a surprise … It remains unclear when Broadway might reopen. Many industry officials believe it will be considerably later than Labor Day. The practical effect of Tuesday’s announcement is that box offices and authorized ticket sellers should now refund or exchange tickets for shows through Sept. 6. Industry leaders have been extending the shutdown incrementally as a way of managing cash flow, as well as managing expectations.
Broadway is expected to be among the last sectors of the economy to reopen because its finances depend on assembling large crowds in confined spaces and its workplaces, onstage and backstage, place cast and crew in proximity to one another.
The industry has other challenges, too. In recent years, its audiences have included large numbers of tourists and seniors, two groups that seem likely to return to Times Square more slowly than others. And its ticket prices are high, which could be a deterrent if the economy stays weak and unemployment remains high.” http://bway.ly/gwbz5m
— Frank DiLella and Charlotte St. Martin discuss topics including livestreaming, playing at half capacity, keeping artists safe, government funding, and more. Watch:http://bway.ly/8trg15
CORONAVIRUS:
“Broadway Actor Nick Cordero Wakes Up From Coma After Coronavirus Battle” by Variety’s Ellise Shafer – ““Guys, we might have to change our hashtag to #CodeRocky because Nick — Dada — is awake!” [Amanda Kloots] said. … Kloots also gave more updates … stating that he is still weak but following verbal commands.” http://bway.ly/95zpi6
“Tony Shalhoub reveals he and wife Brooke Adams had coronavirus” by Page Six’s Leah Bitsky – http://bway.ly/m54hc9
NYC: “NYC & Company forms coalition to bring tourists back to the city post-COVID-19” by ABC 7 – “NYC & Company is forming a coalition to figure out how to get tourists back to New York City once the coronavirus pandemic is over. … The coalition will be made up of prominent business and entertainment leaders in the city including: Ellen Flutter of the Natural History Museum, Thelma Golden of the Studio Museum of Harlem, Lin-Manuel Miranda of Broadway, Danny Meyer of Shake Shack and Peter Ward of Hotel Union.” http://bway.ly/a40icf
POSTPONED: “‘Plaza Suite’ moves production to March 2021” by Broadway News’ Caitlin Huston – “Since theaters will be closed through at least early September, the production, with [Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker] attached, has moved its dates to March 19, 2021 through July 18, 2021 at the Hudson Theatre.” http://bway.ly/lmkjyi
CONCERT: “‘Smash’ Cast To Reunite For Benefit Stream Of 2015 ‘Bombshell In Concert’” by Deadline’s Greg Evans – “Debra Messing, Katharine McPhee, Christian Borle, Megan Hilty and other cast members of NBC’s 2012-13 series Smash will virtually reunite May 20 for a one-night-only Actors Fund benefit streaming of the 2015 Bombshell in Concert, with Renée Zellweger introducing the event and Julie Klausner of Difficult People hosting a live, virtual cast reunion.” http://bway.ly/od8p8p
— “Lincoln Center Will Stream Kelli O’Hara and Jessie Mueller in Carousel, Nathan Lane in The Nance, Santino Fontana in Act One” by Playbill’s Andrew Gans – http://bway.ly/ceja6c
— “St. Ann’s Warehouse to Host Stream of Simon McBurney’s The Encounter” by Playbill’s Olivia Clement – http://bway.ly/nj1qjc
— “André De Shields, Lynn Nottage & More Join The 24 Hour Plays’ COVID & Incarceration Edition” by Broadway.com‘s Lindsey Sullivan – http://bway.ly/tilq8x
— “Musical Theatre Factory to Premiere Michael R. Jackson Concert on YouTube” by Playbill’s Olivia Clement – http://bway.ly/ck9bus
— “Second Edition of The Homebound Project Features Mary-Louise Parker, Zachary Quinto, Uzo Aduba, and More” by Playbill’s Olivia Clement – http://bway.ly/if1q1x
GALA: “Audra McDonald, Anne Hathaway, Glenn Close, More Set for Public Theater’s Virtual Gala” by Playbill’s Dan Meyer – http://bway.ly/8qk6od
