Broadway to Reopen in September, Says N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that Broadway will be back in business on Sept. 14. Tickets go on sale tomorrow for Broadway shows and theaters will be open at 100 percent capacity once they reopen.
“Broadway is major part of our state’s identity and economy, and we are thrilled that the curtains will rise again,” he wrote on Twitter.
The updated reopening date follows Cuomo’s Monday announcement about what state-mandated capacity restrictions in New York City would be lifted on May 19. At the time, Cuomo included Broadway among businesses that could lift most restrictions, alongside restaurants, bars, museums, gyms, salons and retail shops.
The Broadway League, however, responded to Cuomo in a statement at the time noting that they were still eyeing a fall reopening, considering the extensive logistics of theater producing. “We applaud the Governor’s recent announcement easing capacity limits on performance venues in New York State,” they said in a statement. “We are encouraged by this good news, which is a long-awaited indication that New York is truly on the road to recovery. We look forward to reopening at full capacity and are working to safely welcome audiences and employees back to Broadway theatres this fall. As always, we continue to work closely with our elected officials and will share more information as soon as plans become finalized.”
On Wednesday, the League confirmed that ticket sales would indeed resume, eyeing a fall comeback.
“With guidance from Gov. Andrew Cuomo, based on current health trends and subject to continuing improvement of public health and vaccination rates, as well as the state’s final approval of each theatre operator’s health and safety protocols, the Broadway League announces that Broadway shows in New York City will resume ticket sales this month for Fall 2021 performances,” echoed the League in a press release.
“We are thrilled that Governor Cuomo clearly recognizes the impact of Broadway’s return on the city and state’s economy and the complexity of restarting an entire industry that has been dormant for over a year,” added League president Charlotte St. Martin. “Nothing beats Broadway. The theatre owners, producers, and other League members will continue to work with the N.Y. State Department of Health and the Governor to coordinate the industry’s return and the related health and safety protocols required to do so. We remain cautiously optimistic about Broadway’s ability to resume performances this fall and are happy that fans can start buying tickets again.”
The initial shutdown of Broadway occurred March 12, 2020, as Cuomo banned gatherings of more than 500 people in a bid to slow the infection rate of the novel coronavirus. At that time, 31 productions were running, including eight new shows in previews, and eight productions were in rehearsals.
Wicked recently announced that it would become the first Broadway show to resume its U.S. tour following the shutdown.
Anticipated dates for returning Broadway productions will be announced in coming weeks on a show-by-show basis. Theatregoers can visit Broadway.org for developing information.
This story was originally published in The Hollywood Reporter.