Times Square, New York City (Photo: KarlosWest / Shutterstock.com)
]Opening nights have been scheduled. COVID-19 protocols for actors and crew have been put in place. Now all Broadway needs is an audience. It’s a tough sell with spiking positivity rates across the country, but theatremakers are nothing if not resilient. And to help nudge things along, why not bring in a heavy-hitter like Oprah Winfrey?
Winfrey narrates a new promotional video to help launch a public awareness campaign and new website to give a much-needed lift to the New York theater scene. ThisIsBroadway.org basically delivers a flashy ticketing hub for all of the Broadway theaters. And while the two-minute and 30-second video might stir the emotions, is it enough to get patrons in seats? Only time will tell.
Many favorites are returning, like Ain’t Too Proud, Come From Away and Dear Evan Hansen, along with an exciting roster of new plays including Lackawanna Blues, The Lehman Trilogy and Thoughts of a Colored Man. But with tourists comprising 65% of admissions, the industry will need to rely on an influx of visitors to keep shows open.
We’re optimistic for now. At least we have Oprah.
