Broadway Productions Suspended Due to Coronavirus
Noah Golden
BREAKING: All Broadway shows will be suspended as of Thursday, March 12, at 5 p.m. This comes after New York’s governor Andrew Cuomo placed a ban of all gatherings over 500 people. Broadway producers and Mayor De Blasio earlier tried to keep all shows running, but it was deemed the public health threat was too high. It is unknown when the shows will resume or what financial loss will occur.
This comes on the heels of a Broadway usher, who worked on “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf” and “Six,” that tested positive for COVID-19. The usher is one of over 200 confirmed cases in New York state along, however the lack of testing and limited access to information means that there are likely many more undiagnosed cases. Across the world, it’s already claimed the lives of nearly 4,000 and infected more than 100,000. COVID-19, the highly contagious, novel form of Coronavirus, currently has no vaccine or cure.
Around the country, more cancelations are rolling in. The Metropolitan Opera has canceled all performances through the month of March. Regionally, productions of “Hamilton,” “The Last Ship” and “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” have been suspended in San Francisco. The Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven, CT has canceled the remainder of the season.
The growing concern over the spread of COVID-19 is being seen increasingly across the country. Schools and school events are being canceled. Stamford University is one of the first colleges in the country to move undergraduate classes online while many others are canceling large gatherings and conferences, as well as limiting the number of attendees for lectures and events. Recently, entertainment festival South By Southwest decided to cancel its 2020 event – the first announcement of its kind in the festival’s history – over COVID-19 concerns. The fear of spreading or catching COVID-19 has also made many people cancel travel plans, and stay away from large venues like museums, theaters, concert halls and amusement parks.
What all this means for the industry surrounding the arts across the country isn’t known yet, but companies are bracing for low ticket sales and worried patrons.
As per CDC guidelines, the best defense against COVID-19 is frequent hand washing, avoiding contact with potentially infected people and not touching your eyes, nose and mouth. It is also recommended to suspend travel and attending events with more than 100 members. Those more susceptible to the disease include older adults, the immune compromised and adults with conditions like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes.
This article will continue be updated with new information regarding closings and statements from theaters when they come in.