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| Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) | |
| Posted by: MockingbirdGirl 08:20 am EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| As blockbuster shows like 'Wicked' and 'The Lion King' plot a September return to the New York stage, rising delta variant cases and unclear cast-testing protocols create uncertainty. | |
| Link | Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” |
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| re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) | |
| Posted by: raydan 09:53 pm EDT 07/24/21 | |
| In reply to: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) - MockingbirdGirl 08:20 am EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| The Wicked tour restarts here in Dallas on August 4 at the 3.420 seat Music Hall and some performances are about sold out. I think it’s a safe bet that Dallas will be ground zero for what to expect on Broadway this Fall. Masks are required for entering the venue Andy’s it says on their web site, it will be a fully seated house so when the lights go down…… Let us pray. | |
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| re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) | |
| Posted by: broadwaybacker 03:23 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) - MockingbirdGirl 08:20 am EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| I posted this thought several weeks ago, but I think that proof of vaccination will both be required and met with less resistance than we will see in many tour cities, and tours are re-opening as well and only at 100%. It's a question of demographics (need I add "political" demographics?) But interestingly, as of today (or two days ago as per the most recent data), only 54% of residents of NYC are fully vaccinated, I'd have guessed it was more than that. (I do not know if this reflects those eligible to receive the vaccine, or total residents including kids). I've followed the science of vaccines very carefully, in that back in early December, 2020, I entered the J&J clinical trial. When I was able to schedule an appointment for one of the two EUA vaccines (it happened to be on Inauguration Day) I was unblinded. The doctor who heads the study called me and asked me if I thought I had received the vaccine or a placebo, and I told him the placebo because I didn't have a reaction (though I felt fatigued the next day but attributed it to the "placebo effect"). When he told me that I was wrong and had gotten the real deal, I was completely elated, joyous. Also, my wife's first cousin is somewhat of an expert in this stuff and curates all of the COVID related published articles and sends them to a mailing list of relatives, friends and colleagues on a daily basis. Yesterday's "Virus News" was edition 274. |
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| re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) | |
| Posted by: BillEadie 05:34 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) - broadwaybacker 03:23 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| I went to a new play reading last night, sponsored by La Jolla Playhouse. This company has only indoor theatre facilities (three that are regularly scheduled), so last night was the first time they had an audience in any of their venues since the pandemic began. Detailed instructions were sent out regarding what to expect. Masks were required to ride a shuttle bus from the parking garage. There was a symptom check upon arrival, and wrist bands were issued to indicate that the check had been completed. The symptom check did not include a temperature check. It may have included a question as to whether one was fully vaccinated (I don’t recall one way or the other), but if it did they took you at your word. The volunteer ushers were masked. Some audience members wore masks; most didn’t. The performers did not wear masks. There were no concessions available, either before the show or at intermission. Our area has no requirement for indoor masking at the moment, though some indoor venues require masks to enter. I imagine one function of hosting these readings is to provide a trial run for the subscription season, which begins in the fall. The plays being read this weekend and next are: SUMO, by Lisa Sanaye Dring ALL THE MEN WHO’VE FRIGHTENED ME, by Noah Diaz not-for-profit (or the equity, diversity and inclusion play), by Francisca Da Silveira ONE-SHOT, by Andres Rosendorf Bill, in San Diego |
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| You raise an interesting point | |
| Posted by: MockingbirdGirl 07:03 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) - BillEadie 05:34 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| Will Broadway theatre owners be willing to forego lucrative snack sales due to Covid? Seems like they make a LOT of money on the mark up. | |
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| re: You raise an interesting point | |
| Posted by: Ncassidine 07:05 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: You raise an interesting point - MockingbirdGirl 07:03 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| Maybe they will ask people eating snacks to do so in the lobby. | |
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| re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) | |
| Posted by: sirpupnyc 04:32 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) - broadwaybacker 03:23 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| NYC's vaccination rates absolutely indicate that there's a lot more than right-wingery at work. 54% is the all-ages number. My area of Brooklyn (Flatbush) is blue as blue can be and yet to crack 50%. There are areas further south and east that are 10–20% below the city number. It's not just the red patches on the electoral map, it's a lot of districts where the Republican Party doesn't even bother putting up candidates. |
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| re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) | |
| Posted by: ryhog 10:00 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) - sirpupnyc 04:32 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| I think we are getting away from the point. Those neighborhoods, for better or worse, are not (Broadway) theatre-going neighborhoods. In the prime theatre-going areas of the city (and beyond), vax rates are up in the 70-80-90% range. Poor people, sadly, are less likely to get vaccinated, and even less likely to see a Broadway show, even for free. And of course the city has its pockets of redness, whether resulting from the orthodox jews or the staten islanders etc. | |
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| re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) | |
| Posted by: sirpupnyc 10:36 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) - ryhog 10:00 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| Perhaps not compared to your rich white Manhattanites, but when I'm coming home from shows I always see people holding Playbills (theatre, Met, Carnegie Hall) going further south than I am. | |
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| re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) | |
| Posted by: ryhog 11:51 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) - sirpupnyc 10:36 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| I don't doubt that for a second, but the fact is, the low vax rate zipcodes are also the low ticket buying zipcodes and I'd be willing to bet half the value of a Broadway sippy cup that those hands you saw clutching playbills now have an abundance of covid antibodies lurking within. I thought your point was that, in the city at least, low vax rate does not only correlate to republican districts and I of course agree with that. It's not really controversial, though, that poor minority communities don't go to the theatre, and neither do super-orthodox jewish ones. | |
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| re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) | |
| Posted by: broadwaybacker 05:02 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) - sirpupnyc 04:32 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| So what’s your theory or theories as to why that’s true. There’s quite a bit written about an overall distrust of the vaccine within minority communities. It’s one of the reasons that the government is putting a lot of effort into recruiting minority clergy. It’s very sad because those communities are often at the highest risk. | |
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| re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) | |
| Posted by: Ncassidine 12:07 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) - MockingbirdGirl 08:20 am EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| I can't imagine there's going to be a full reopening like anyone envisions it. I think we're going to get hit with a ton of canceled performances. | |
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| re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) | |
| Posted by: mikem 01:04 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) - Ncassidine 12:07 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| I feel fortunate that I live within driving distance of NYC, so having to reschedule is an inconvenience rather than a hardship. But the only Broadway ticket I have is the one for The Music Man that I bought in 2019. It seems like there are too many question marks to feel confident about how the Broadway re-opening will happen in reality. | |
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| re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) | |
| Posted by: ryhog 02:02 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) - mikem 01:04 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| I expected that, when the time came for shows to be able to perform again in an economically viable way, we would see a few open shortly thereafter and that others would cautiously tiptoe back as they could see what was happening. (I had said early on that I thought we would see 6 or so shows early this Fall.) A funny thing happened on the way to that approach. Gargantuan amounts of money were thrown at producers and all of a sudden everyone was opening/reopening asap. On the one hand, those grants were wonderful; on another, I fear, they were tragic. As we see what's happening in London, and as we watch the goings on at the Delacorte this week and at Yankee Stadium [etc etc] (from which, hopefully, we can learn some things even though no one doubts that outdoors is easier than in), I don't like the writing I see on the wall, and I hope we are not about to have a cultural pandemic of our own making. I am and have been an optimist but I agree there are a lot of question marks and I am not confident. I pray I am wrong. | |
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| Proof of Vaccinations will have to be required. | |
| Last Edit: ShowGoer 02:06 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| Posted by: ShowGoer 02:01 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) - mikem 01:04 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| True, it is impossible to know how this plays out, but… With even the previously ambivalent governor of Alabama, the least-vaccinated state in the nation - 76-year-old GOP Gov. Kay Ivey, saying just today “It’s Time to Start Blaming the Unvaccinated Folks” (the current lead story on CNN)…. I think it’s clear that for now, Broadway needs to reopen for the vaccinated only, same as Springsteen and Pass Over have done. It’s unfortunate for those who can’t get vaccinated yet, whether due to underlying health/autoimmune issues, deeply-held religious beliefs, or (at the moment) not having a vaccine available due to being under the age of 12 – and maybe there’s some way no one’s devised yet to make exceptions to people who can prove they fall into one of those categories as long as they sign a liability waiver. Frankly, when it comes to children, there are 3 or 4 shows that I don’t know how they would survive under “vaccinated-only” circumstances even if full audience capacity is allowed and the audiences come roaring back (Aladdin, The Lion King, Wicked, and maybe Phantom) – but everyone says forcing a child to stay masked for 3 hours is a logistical impossibility, so I’m not sure what their options are… maybe those are the only shows that actually do put separate vaccinated/unvaccinated sections in place (an idea of Charlotte St Martin’s that sounds like an unfeasible nightmare, but that might be necessary for just the family-friendly shows). But on the whole, Broadway needs to leave the unvaccinated behind for now if the industry is to have any chance of surviving. There will probably still be occasional shutdowns (as seen this week at Shakespeare in the Park less than 2 weeks into performances), but that’s about what’s going on backstage and not about the safety of the audience. In this no-win situation it’s not about what’s ideal or what’s the most ethical, but what’s the least-bad, least-unethical option; if Broadway reopens at full capacity, as it needs to do, and doesn’t require proof of vaccinations, they’re as much at risk of contributing to possible spread of the virus as the unmasked in Alabama are right now. Hopefully, by this winter, when more of the country is vaccinated, when vaccines are on the way for children, when the existing vaccines have been officially approved and are perhaps federally mandated, and if there are no more deadly variants, maybe then theater and other businesses like it can let up on the breaks and ease the more stringent requirements. But most people I know won’t go back to the theatre UNLESS the theatres are requiring proof of vaccination. (And I also know just as many adults who, even being vaccinated, would never sit indoors watching a show if they have to wear a mask as I do those who plan to continue wearing theirs indoors as a precaution). So for most of these shows, if they want to be around in 2022, or for the business to even come bounding back in general without having to shut down again, they need to do what Springsteen and Pass Over are doing. It’s less than perfect, but it’s not discriminatory, it’s about safety and common sense. |
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| Not really a valid point | |
| Posted by: Ncassidine 05:41 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: Proof of Vaccinations will have to be required. - ShowGoer 02:01 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| Many people are more than 6 months past their vaccination. Unless they are rolling out boosters, with the variants proof of vaccination is not going to make much of a difference. | |
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| re: Not really a valid point | |
| Posted by: ryhog 07:49 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: Not really a valid point - Ncassidine 05:41 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| There is no 6 month rule. Immunity is not like a light switch that gets turned off. Where are you getting these ideas? Also remember that, even when antibody immunity wanes, we have cellular immunity. Proof of vaccination is a big deal and will continue to be. | |
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| re: Not really a valid point | |
| Posted by: Ncassidine 08:49 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Not really a valid point - ryhog 07:49 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| We actually have no idea either way. | |
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| re: Not really a valid point | |
| Posted by: ryhog 09:17 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Not really a valid point - Ncassidine 08:49 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| Actually, I think we have a good deal of knowledge, not conclusive but as I say here and below. I don't think it helps to ignore evidence, which does not mean we should overstate it (as I think I did somewhat originally). We know an incredible amount. | |
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| re: Not really a valid point | |
| Posted by: sirpupnyc 08:32 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Not really a valid point - ryhog 07:49 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| There was some initial "Well, we don't know how long it'll last." That's mainly faded now that there's actual data, but a lot of speculation that's been superseded still gets bandied about as fact. (When it's not being used to beat science up for sciencing.) The first Excelsior Passes were only valid for three months, remember. |
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| re: Not really a valid point | |
| Posted by: ryhog 08:39 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Not really a valid point - sirpupnyc 08:32 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| my first pass was for only ONE month. LOL Then I got like 5 more. | |
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| re: Not really a valid point | |
| Posted by: NewtonUK 11:01 am EDT 07/24/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Not really a valid point - ryhog 08:39 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| ... and now Excelsior passes can be extended to 12 months from date of second vaccination (or J&J) | |
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| re: Not really a valid point | |
| Posted by: broadwaybacker 08:21 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Not really a valid point - ryhog 07:49 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| Ryhog is 100% correct (no surprise there). People in the clinical trials continue to be studied, and by that I mean have their blood drawn periodically to check on the level of antibodies in the blood. These trials have been going on for much longer than six months, and there is no indication that immunity has decreased significantly (if at all) to date. If you are going to opine on the science, it would be good to have some actual scientific support. Otherwise, it's just BS and noise. For example, here is some info regarding the Pfizer trial: The Phase 3 clinical trial of the vaccine began on July 27, 2020 and has enrolled 43,661 participants to date, 41,135 of whom have received a second dose of the vaccine candidate as of November 13, 2020. Approximately 42% of global participants and 30% of U.S. participants have racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds, and 41% of global and 45% of U.S. participants are 56-85 years of age. So the Pfizer Phase 3 trial began almost exactly a year ago. These people are still being followed, and having their blood checked for antibody levels. |
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| to be fair, I may not be 100% correct. | |
| Posted by: ryhog 08:36 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Not really a valid point - broadwaybacker 08:21 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| After posting above, I saw the linked article. Vulnerable populations may need and get a booster shot but continue to note that what's being said is that the (Pfizer) vaccine starts to become less effective after 6 months, not that it falls off a cliff, and for most, there will be cellular immunity that could last for a long time. Again, the context is that the virus in any form is not going to be eradicated but the focus of all of our attention should be on whether we are likely to get sick. | |
| Link | NYTimes |
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| re: Proof of Vaccinations will have to be required. | |
| Posted by: cinderonbroadway 05:08 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: Proof of Vaccinations will have to be required. - ShowGoer 02:01 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| "but everyone says forcing a child to stay masked for 3 hours is a logistical impossibility," - Just a little personal experience. At the beginning of the pandemic, my grandkids (ages 4-14 then) all had a tough time with masks. Within a few weeks, masks were no problem. They kept them on all day at school this year - even on the playground. I think for most kids (and adults) if you make a big deal out of masks, it becomes a big deal. As far as vaccinated/unvaccinated sections - I would NEVER take my grandkids where they had to sit in the unvaccinated section. The Knicks required vaccinations this year. For those who couldn't be vaccinated (mostly kids), they required PCR tests within a day or so of the game. I didn't hear of any outbreaks attributed to the events. So I totally agree with your conclusion. | |
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| re: Proof of Vaccinations will have to be required. | |
| Posted by: ryhog 02:09 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: Proof of Vaccinations will have to be required. - ShowGoer 02:01 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| I think vax proof is a given at this point. I think we will see it manifest, at a minimum, anywhere that people are expected to remain indoors, in close proximity to the same group of people. (At work, e.g., as the mayor suggested today.) I said this a while back but I think the way out of vaccine reluctance is to make it as inconvenient as humanly possible not to be vaccinated. And as we head toward an election year where looking foolish is not going to be a good look, I think we will see more and more idiot Republicans wander over, as some of them have been doing both in Congress and in the states. When the governor of Alabama goes off on anti-vaxxers, you know something is moving. | |
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| I’ve never agreed with you more… | |
| Posted by: ShowGoer 02:13 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Proof of Vaccinations will have to be required. - ryhog 02:09 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| … and pray you are right. | |
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| re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) | |
| Posted by: manchurch03104 09:19 am EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) - MockingbirdGirl 08:20 am EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| I will have popcorn in hand when those out of town unvaccinated tourists show up demanding entrance to these shows. | |
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| Do you think unvaccinated tourists are coming to NY to see Pass Over or Springsteen? | |
| Posted by: charles1055 03:04 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) - manchurch03104 09:19 am EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| Seems like the type of bozo to believe the antivax nonsense isn't one in the same. | |
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| Pass Over and Exodus | |
| Posted by: dbdbdb 12:00 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Broadway’s Reopening Fears Amid COVID-19: “There’s So Much We Still Don’t Know” (THR) - manchurch03104 09:19 am EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| Is the play Pass Over really "a retelling of the Exodus story," as per the Hollywood Reporter article? My understanding is that it is a riff on Waiting for Godot. | |
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| re: Pass Over and Exodus | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 12:32 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
| In reply to: Pass Over and Exodus - dbdbdb 12:00 pm EDT 07/23/21 | |
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| I didn't see it when it played Steppenwolf in 2017. However, Chris Jones in the Chicago Tribune described the play as "Waiting for Godot meets Black Lives Matter". Jon Michael Hill does play a character named Moses. | |
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