New York Is Keeping Broadway Theaters Open Despite Advice From Coronavirus Experts

[brooklynite]

Source: BuzzFeed News

The theaters have been deep-cleaned, according to the representatives, and both organizations are "closely following all protocols related to containment and prevention," including informing all employees who may have been exposed and urging all high-risk audience members to "monitor their health diligently."

But the shows still went on Wednesday night and the theaters have no current plans to close due to the virus — despite experts recommending "social distancing," or avoiding large crowds, to stop the spread of the virus.

Ticket holders were, however, permitted to exchange their tickets for ones at a later date.

In fact, several shows — including Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? — have been offering $50 discount tickets to keep crowds coming as more and more people avoid large public gatherings.


Read more: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/juliareinstein/coronavirus-broadway-theater-usher-tickets

[SoCalNative]

1. Not sure how new this information really is

because there was just a news conference with Gov. Cuomo banning gatherings of 500 or more at one time, effective 5PM tonight.

[brooklynite]

4. Theaters aren't that big...

[SoCalNative]

5. Most of the Broadway theatres

especially those that house musicals, are over 1000 seats. And the latest from Theatre critic Michael Reidel of the NY POST is that all productions will be shut down for 4-6 weeks

https://nypost.com/2020/03/12/broadway-shutting-down-all-productions-over-coronavirus-pandemic/

[stillcool]

2. seems like a long time to hold your breath...

[MLAA]

3. I was lucky enough to live for a year in Manhattan in 2018.

We went to a broadway show nearly every Saturday. Loved, loved, loved them. However I would absolutely not attend one now.

[msongs]

6. lol its not the theaters...the people going there need to be deep cleaned nt

[left-of-center2012]

7. "The theaters have been deep-cleaned"

Can't say the same for the folks sitting around you.

[TexasBushwhacker]

10. Are they going to "deep clean" after every show? N/t

[yellerpup]

8. A NYC theatre with 499 seats is Off-Broadway

Theatres under 99 seats are Off-Off Broadway. I would say 99 people in a small theatre would be probably mostly infected by intermission. IMO they should restrict these too (even though it pains me to say it). I'm a playwright.

[EarnestPutz]

9. I'm not surprised that Broadway's first impulse is to stay open. It's not just...

....a "the show must go on" mentality, but there are few groups on this earth more self absorbed than Broadway. The producers, directors, actors, singers, dancers, promoters and the fans themselves feel that these shows are somehow "important" and should not be closed for something like a pandemic.

[LudwigPastorius]

15. Nah, not narcissism. It's just that when there are no shows, there is no paycheck.

Producers aren't going to pay musicians, actors, stagehands, and house employees out of the kindness of their hearts.

[EarnestPutz]

16. Ludwig, you may be right. But other than actually putting on the plays, it seems that...

....the prime occupation of all of these people, as well as any other businesses in the theater district, as well as the City of New York itself, is to constantly tell us how wonderful broadway shows are and how hard it is to get tickets. There is nothing wrong with self-promotion, but they are really laying it on too thick for me.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

11. Broadway Will Go Dark Amid Coronavirus Concerns

https://www.playbill.com/article/broadway-will-go-dark-amid-coronavirus-concerns

[MineralMan]

12. Governor Cuomo Has a Different Plan.

Those theaters go dark tonight and stay dark until at least April 12.

[Javaman]

13. they will play before empty houses.

New Yorkers aren't that stupid.

[Danmel]

14. Governor Cuomo just banned all gatherings of more than 500

people. Broadway, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Metropolitan Museum all closed through mid April.
So many people will be out of work.

[jcmaine72]

17. And yet, the public schools and subways remain open.

What Cuomo snd especially de Blasio are doing makes little sense. Some NYC high schools have thousands of students a piece, and millions ride the subway every day, even with ridership down significantly over the past week or so. Aren't those places gathering spots for more than 500 people?

[EarthFirst]

18. I believe the directive was any venue 500+ has to operate at 50% capacity...

Still doesn’t make sense; however with the social distancing directive from the CDC.

[BeckyDem]

19. Capitalism, the unique way to die.