Times Square, New York City (Photo: KarlosWest / Shutterstock.com)
After the longest intermission in modern times, Broadway will finally return at full capacity, beginning September 14, The New York Times reports.
Even though the governor and New York City mayor Bill de Blasio are pushing for an early “open” date for New York City venues and attractions, Broadway’s complex business model will require more time to reboot.
“We’ve never done this before,” Victoria Bailey, executive director of TDF, the nonprofit which oversees the TKTS ticket-selling booth in Times Square, told the Times. “The last time the theater industry opened from a pandemic, Shakespeare was still writing new plays.”
The Times also reports that approximately 30 shows plan to open on Broadway before year’s end, led by powerhouse musicals with strong fan bases leading the way, including Hamilton, Wicked, and The Lion King.
The Phantom of the Opera announced an October 22 reopening date, Deadline reports. “Never in a million years last March could we have imagined that all of Broadway would be shuttered for nearly a year and a half,” said producer Cameron Mackintosh, “but I am thrilled that today we can announce The Phantom of the Opera will return in all its gorgeous splendor to The Majestic Theatre this October.”
NEW: Broadway shows will be ready to open September 14 at 100% capacity. Tickets go on sale starting tomorrow.
Broadway is major part of our state’s identity and economy, and we are thrilled that the curtains will rise again.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 5, 2021
