Instead of breaking legs, they’re breaking hearts.
The Broadway League has announced yet another extension of the stage shut down in New York City, confirming the suspension of ticket sales and performances through May 30, 2021, according to an announcement Friday via Twitter.
The Broadway League announces the continued suspension of all ticket sales for Broadway perfs in NYC through May 30, 2021. Theatregoers holding tickets for dates through 5/30/21 should contact their point of purchase for details about exchanges & refunds. https://t.co/JupWkcHrOG pic.twitter.com/uL81MZhMYj
— The Broadway League (@BroadwayLeague) October 9, 2020
Ticket-holders should contact their point of purchase or exchanges and refunds.
“With nearly 97,000 workers who rely on Broadway for their livelihood and an annual economic impact of $14.8 billion to the city, our membership is committed to re-opening as soon as conditions permit us to do so,” said Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League, in a statement. “We are working tirelessly with multiple partners on sustaining the industry once we raise our curtains again.”
Broadway performances were originally suspended on March 12, 2020. At that time, 31 productions were running, including eight new shows in previews. Rehearsals for eight other productions – set to open in the spring – were also shut-down, according to the New York Post.
The organization hoped for reopening on June 7, 2020, to which Gov. Cuomo responded “I wouldn’t use what Broadway things as a barometer of anything unless they’re in the public health business and have seen better numbers and models.”
Sarah Jessica Parker, who was set to appear in a spring revival of “Plaza Suite” opposite husband Matthew Broderick, wrote in an op-ed for Variety this week that she hopes people who left New York during the pandemic come back to the city and reach in their pockets.
“I’m encouraging people to come back to New York and reinvest in our community,” the actress wrote. “Whether it’s a theater or a small business, you can’t reopen a business until you have the patrons there – it’s a psychological thing. And I believe it’s incumbent upon people who’ve had success in this city to reinvest, to come home,” Parker said via the New York Post.
Although the show won’t go on until May, the long-delayed 2020 Tony Award nominations for excellence in the theater are set to be announced at noon on Thursday, October 15, via their official YouTube channel.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to recognize Broadway’s magnificent work during the 2019-2020 season,” American Theatre Wing President Heather Hitchens and Broadway League’s St. Martin said in a joint statement. “Our Broadway community has been incredibly resilient during this difficult time, and we look forward to paying tribute to the performers and artists.”
By now, we are all feeling the same way. Shutdowns, social distancing, masks…
Come on COVID, get the show on the road.
