already says Irvin Berlin's catchy song: There's No Business Like Show Business. And perhaps there is no other city where that expression makes more sense than in New York. The entertainment world moves some barbaric numbers.
In the 2018-2019 season it is estimated that Broadway contributed almost 15,000 million dollars to the coffers of the city and gave work, directly and indirectly, to about 10,000 people. So The theaters they are a real engine for the city that never sleeps.
And not only that. “The importance of Broadway being on It is not merely an economic issue but it has to do with the vitality of the city and all the people that surround it. They are all connected: hotels, restaurants, actors, musicians, theater staff. They all share the same goal and that carries a special energy in New York”.
The magic of Broadway was worth the wait.
Who speaks with this passion is Bob Hofmann, Vice President of Broadway Outbound, an entity that brings together half of the shows in the city and whose mission is to fill rooms. Something that has not happened since March 12, 2020 when the pandemic forced to turn off the lights of the 41 theaters of Broadway.
Despite the mayor of New York gave permission to cinemas, theaters and halls concert to reopen to the public last July, Broadway was more cautious and decided to wait until September.
The ambitious productions are not viable without at least 70% of the seats occupied and capacity limitations made it impossible. But you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. And hopefully, this time, it will be definitive. Broadway raises the curtain.
Broadway reopening will be staggered and it will come with several changes. The first and most important is in security protocols. "Cleanliness and hygiene have always been a priority for Broadway and, now, even more so," says Hofmann, who advances that the use of electronic tickets will be promoted, instead of paper ones passing from hand to hand, and the arrival of spectators in turns. “The message we want to send is that Broadway is a safe place." he adds.
In addition to a more thorough cleaning of the facilities, some productions have decided to apply some modifications in their shows to make them even more secure.
For example, the ambitious play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Until now, it consisted of two parts that could be seen on the same day, with a long pause between them, or on two different days.
The version that the public will see when it resumes functions, on November 16, you will be shorter and at a stretch. This prevents viewers from having to be in and out all the time.
For its reopening, Broadway has turned to the classics. The first to open was Hadestown, the last winner of the Tony Awards that were interrupted last year. The functions were resumed with the room full and continuous interruptions by applause and cheers, all a reflection of how entertainment has been missed in this city.
Just a few streets away, the curtain also rose for Waitress, with her composer, Sara Bareilles, as the protagonist in the first weeks of it. Wicked, Chicago and The Lion King will follow on September 14.
Later on, Moulin Rouge!, on September 24; Aladdin, on September 28; Tina, The Tina Turner Musical, October 8; and The Phantom of the Opera, on October 22. and without forgetting the premieres that we never saw because of the pandemic, as the musical based on the film starring Robin Williams, Mrs. Doubtfire, on October 21; Y the biopics about Lady Di, Diana the Musical, November 2, and Michael Jackson, MJ The Musical, on December 6.
The Phantom of the Opera, the musical.
Yes indeed, the public will also have to do their part. Broadway requires viewers to prove that they have been vaccinated against covid-19 and to bring the mask throughout the performance. It is a collective effort necessary to That the show can finally go on.