The Great White Way goes dark

The Broadway cast of Six. Picture: Joan Marcus

Coronavirus has caught up with Broadway. Following a New York State ban on gatherings of more than 500 in the wake of the spreading epidemic, the Broadway League, the national trade association for the Broadway theatre industry, announced on Thursday (12 March 2020) an immediate month-long shutdown of all Main Stem shows.

Charlotte St. Martin, the League’s president, said in a statement: “Our top priority has been and will continue to be the health and well-being of Broadway theatregoers and the thousands of people who work in the theatre industry every day, including actors, musicians, stagehands, ushers, and many other dedicated professionals.”

The suspension, which is to extend through 12 April, comes at a crucial point in the season, with the usual last-minute crush of shows to open before the Tony Awards eligibility deadline, which this year is 23 April. A total of 16 productions were set to open between the suspension announcement and the Tony cut-off date.

Among the musicals in previews or readying to go into previews were Six, whose official opening night was scheduled for 12 March. Others include Caroline, or Change; Company; Diana; Flying Over Sunset; Mrs. Doubtfire and Sing Street.

The shutdown has ignited speculation that the Tony deadline and the awards presentation on 7 June may be moved to later dates.

Meanwhile, the potential financial impact of the lost performances loomed like the darkest of clouds over both the productions and their companies.

Mary McColl, executive director of Actors’ Equity Association, released a statement noting that the shutdown “means tremendous uncertainty for thousands who work in the arts, including the prospect of lost income, health insurance and retirement savings.

“Equity will use all of our options to advocate for all our members and is engaged at all levels to ensure members are protected and paid,” she said. “Now is the time for Congress and local governments to put workers first to ensure that everyone who works in the arts and entertainment sector has access to paid leave, health care and unemployment benefits.”

Along with Broadway, numerous cultural institutions and Off-Broadway theatres have announced temporary closings. They include such Gotham landmarks as the Metropolitan Opera and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Ron Cohen