Broadway to remain closed till at least May 2021

According to sources, the Broadway League will officially announce tomorrow that shows will remain closed until at least May 30th, 2021. This means Broadway shows will remain dark for more than a year after they shut down.

This follows the news that The Metropolitan Opera announced that it will be closed until Fall 2021.

The Broadway League previously announced that performances would be canceled through at least January 3, 2021, because of the coronavirus outbreak. Theaters were offering exchanges and refunds for tickets purchased for performances through then.

“We literally cannot reopen unless there is a confidence in the safety of the cast and crew and theatergoers,” St. Martin told local news last May. “So we don’t really know when that will be and that’s part of the challenge we’re facing.”

Actors Equity, the union that represents both actors and stage managers, has supported the decision to keep theaters closed, but say that federal aid must be increased, "These responsible decisions mean that the industry will need support so that when it is safe to reopen, the arts can go back to work and help the entire economy recover,” they stated.

When Broadway closed in March, there were 31 shows running, including eight in previews. An additional eight shows were scheduled to begin performances. It’s unknown how many of those shows will be able to return.

Many industry insiders tell me that we shouldn’t expect Broadway to return until a COVID-19 vaccine has been safely distributed. Add that to the fact that New York isn’t anywhere near letting crowds to gather indoors, this might not be necessarily a shock.

But we spoke to one actor who surprisingly found relief to the news. “At least I know not to have my hopes up for January. I can go try and find someone else now.”

While there have been regional theatres who have been able to resume operations with socially distanced audiences, mask mandates, and other protocols approved by Actor’s Equity, a producer told OnStage Blog that such measures just aren’t financially viable for Broadway budgets.

“There’s no point being in business until the public feels it’s safe enough to be in a crowded theatre.”

UPDATE: 10/9/21 - The Broadway League officially sent out the following statement:

The Broadway League announces the continued suspension of all ticket sales for Broadway performances in NYC through May 30, 2021.   

Dates for each returning and new Broadway show will be announced as individual productions determine the performance schedules for their respective shows.  The League will provide updates to the public as more information becomes available.  

“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. We are working tirelessly with multiple partners on sustaining the industry once we raise our curtains again,” said Charlotte St. Martin, President of the Broadway League.

Theatregoers holding tickets for dates through May 30, 2021 should contact their point of purchase for details about exchanges and refunds. 

Broadway performances were initially suspended due to COVID 19 on March 12, 2020. At that time, 31 productions were running, including 8 new shows in previews. Additionally, 8 productions were in rehearsals preparing to open in the spring.  

This is a developing story and we will update it as information becomes available.