Mark Kennedy
A woman walks past the Walter Kerr Theatre, Thursday, May 6, 2021, in New York where Hadestown was showing before the coronavirus pandemic forced its closing a year ago. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced that Broadway theaters can reopen Sept. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) May 11, 2021 - 9:14 AM
NEW YORK (AP) â Broadway shows are tripping over themselves to announce that tickets are once more available. But don t get dressed up just yet: The curtains won t rise for most until September or October.
âHamilton,â âThe Lion Kingâ and âWickedâ return Sept. 14, as does âChicago.â âAinât Too Proud â The Life and Times of the Temptationsâ restarts Oct. 16, âThe Phantom of the Operaâ on Oct. 22, âJagged Little Pillâ on Oct. 21 and âCome From Away on Sept. 21. âSix,â which had planned to open officially on the day of the 2020 shutdown, will restart
WHY THE FOUR MONTH WAIT?
Selling tickets now allows producers to gauge interest in their shows, like putting a big toe in the water to check the temperature. Is there thunderous demand or is it more tepid? How enduring is the interest? Once producers get answers and much-needed cash from interested theater-goers they can plan. Shows that find a lukewarm response may need to invest in more advertising or change it up.
Broadway shows thrive on tourists who were roughly two-thirds of the people in the seats before the pandemic struck and producers are banking that visitor numbers will be up by fall. The hope is that theater lovers both tourists and New Yorkers will loudly cheer the return. It will be a big occasion.
WHY THE FOUR MONTH WAIT?
Selling tickets now allows producers to gauge interest in their shows, like putting a big toe in the water to check the temperature. Is there thunderous demand or is it more tepid? How enduring is the interest? Once producers get answers and much-needed cash from interested theater-goers they can plan. Shows that find a lukewarm response may need to invest in more advertising or change it up.
Broadway shows thrive on tourists who were roughly two-thirds of the people in the seats before the pandemic struck and producers are banking that visitor numbers will be up by fall. The hope is that theater lovers both tourists and New Yorkers will loudly cheer the return. It will be a big occasion.
WHY THE FOUR MONTH WAIT?
Selling tickets now allows producers to gauge interest in their shows, like putting a big toe in the water to check the temperature. Is there thunderous demand or is it more tepid? How enduring is the interest? Once producers get answers and much-needed cash from interested theater-goers they can plan. Shows that find a lukewarm response may need to invest in more advertising or change it up.
Broadway shows thrive on tourists who were roughly two-thirds of the people in the seats before the pandemic struck and producers are banking that visitor numbers will be up by fall. The hope is that theater lovers both tourists and New Yorkers will loudly cheer the return. It will be a big occasion.
May 11, 2021
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NEW YORK (AP) Broadway shows are tripping over themselves to announce that tickets are once more available. But don’t get dressed up just yet: The curtains won’t rise for most until September or October.
“Hamilton,” “The Lion King” and “Wicked” return Sept. 14, as does “Chicago.” “Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations” restarts Oct. 16, “The Phantom of the Opera” on Oct. 22, “Jagged Little Pill” on Oct. 21 and “Come From Away on Sept. 21. “Six,” which had planned to open officially on the day of the 2020 shutdown, will restart Sept. 17, as will David Byrne’s “American Utopia.” “Mrs. Doubtfire” will return Oct. 21. More are expected to announce new dates soon for the fall.