Skift Take
Broadway shows are back, as New york city City tourism officials want to revived theater as one more huge action toward reviving tourist in the Big Apple heading into the fall.
Tom Lowry
Broadway’s greatest musicals roared back to life on Tuesday after an extraordinary 18-month, pandemic-induced shutdown that cast a spooky silence over New York’s usually busy theater district.
The drape rose once again on top musicals “Hamilton,” “The Lion King” and “Wicked” before packed audiences in the greatest indication that Broadway is open once again for service.
“Hamilton” developer Lin-Manuel Miranda started the night by hosting a rousing impromptu rendition of “New york city, New York” at the stage door with the casts of all three musicals.
“Broadway is back. Get a mask, get immunized and come see live theater!” Miranda prompted fans.
“Chicago” likewise reopened on Tuesday.
Broadway was among the first institutions to close when the pandemic hit in mid-March 2020 and is the last to reopen in the United States. It has actually taken months to update air filter systems and figure out how to maintain social distancing on phases filled with blood, sweat and tears.
Audiences, actors, artists and backstage crew should supply evidence of full vaccinations and use masks throughout all Broadway and off-Broadway shows in New york city.
“Hamilton,” “The Lion King” and “Wicked” were the most significant box office earners, each taking in more than $1 million a week, before the pandemic shuttered some 40 theaters in mid-March 2020, throwing countless stars, stagehands, musicians and dancers out of work.
“Every single nerve is tingling with happiness and world peace. How lucky we are to be back at work,” stated “Hamilton” producer Jeffrey Seller, speaking at the theater.
“It has actually been 700,000, 100 and 25 minutes given that we’ve last been able to carry out for a live audience, and what I perceive here is 1,300 people who are bristling with the energy and the desire to get back to the theater,” Seller added.
Musicals “Hadestown” and “Waitress” returned 10 days ago, and the first brand-new play, “Pass Over,” opened its doors in August. The discount rate TKTS ticket booth in Times Square likewise resumed on Tuesday.
Talking Heads musician David Byrne, whose “American Utopia” musical reopens on Friday, said theater-goers are satisfied to be back.
“The audiences are just appearing in applause and cheers and excitement just to be back together in a theater, to be back together with other people,” Byrne told Reuters.
Another dozen musicals and plays will re-open during September, bringing back one of the city’s most significant cultural tourist attractions. City authorities hope their return will also spur tourist and rejuvenate once-crowded dining establishments, bars and hotels.
Broadway and city authorities are arranging a weekend celebration of performances and efficiencies in Times Square to promote theater, with performers from 18 musicals taking part.
“Broadway’s resuming resembles a substantial welcome mat for New Yorkers and visitors to go back to Times Square,” Tom Harris, president of the Times Square Alliance, said in a declaration.
(Reporting by Alicia Powell and Jill Serjeant; Editing by Leslie Adler)
This post was composed by Alicia Powell from Reuters and was legally certified through the Market Dive publisher network. Please direct all licensing concerns to [e-mail safeguarded]
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