Jake Koch
As the global pandemic progressed, new limitations to big group gatherings were announced. The difficult decision was made to shutdown Broadway completely, until the week of April 13th. For years, Broadway has overcome many obstacles, but this closure of productions could pose a potential economic downfall. The phrase “the show must go on” became a reality during wars and recessions of all kinds, but during the outbreak of Covid-19, a different protocol is taking place, putting thousands of professionals out of work.
Photo by Vincent Tullo for The New York Times
Broadway doesn’t stop productions often, but now they are given no choice. In 1918, all theatres remained open during the flu pandemic. The only times that Broadway has gone dark were during strikes, extreme snow storms, and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. During the Stagehand’s Strike of 2007 and the Musician’s Strike of 1975, theatres closed for only about three weeks. Nevertheless, Broadway was back up and running September 13th after the attacks of 2001. In all these past shutdowns, Broadway has been able to reopen without much damage done to the economic stance and revenue, but with this longer closure, Broadway faces major losses to their income over the next 4 months.
When the current suspension was announced, Broadway’s longest running show (Phantom of the Opera) was mid production of their Thursday matinee. Moulin Rouge, a new production, canceled their final show due to an actor feeling ill and no cast members wanting to risk their health. Throughout the month of closure, 16 shows on and off Broadway were scheduled to open, and seven shows were postponed or closed. In addition, the 74th Annual Tony Awards has been postponed indefinitely, which is a major economic disaster in this business. It’s possible some of these shows may not be able to open at all, due to the extreme loss of money.
As the ‘Safer at Home’ orders have been extended, Broadway’s extreme intermission has as well. All shows are set to open back up on June 7th, keeping all performers and theatrical workers out of work for a lengthy 87 days.
A normal week on Broadway makes around $27 million. That’s all of the ticket prices of the 29 shows, currently running on broadway, added together. With thousands of people out of work, “at least $7.4 billion in tax revenue is projected to be lost by the middle of next year” (Goodman 2020). This major loss in income and revenue will effect Broadway for quite some time in the future, as well as all its professionals heavily relying on their income. It’s questionable how theatres are going to emerge from such an economic downfall. The Metropolitan Opera is debating if they will even be able restart their programming in September, and it looks like Broadway is going to have a similar issue.
Graph by Playbill.com
Works Cited
“Broadway, Off-Broadway, London News, Listings and Tickets.” Playbill, www.playbill.com/.
“Broadway.com.” Broadway.com, www.broadway.com/.
Goodman, J. David. “'I Don't Think the New York That We Left Will Be Back for Some Years'.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 20 Apr. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/04/20/nyregion/new-york-economy-coronavirus.html.
Kriegstein, Brittany, and Leonard Greene. “Coronavirus Economic Impact Explained: How Broadway's Shutdown Is Crippling an Industry in NYC.” Nydailynews.com, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2020, www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-broadway-shutdown-hurting-businesses-20200318-wvs5ihmkcnc2lkuull2rzetbaa-story.html.
Staff, Broadway.com. “The Shutdown Continues: All Performances of Broadway Shows Now Suspended Through June 7.” Broadway.com, Broadway.com, 8 Apr. 2020,
www.broadway.com/buzz/198813/the-shutdown-continues-all-performances-of-broadway-shows-now-suspended-through-june-7/.
This is really sad. I never thought about how industries like Broadway could be affected by COVID. I also didn't know that Broadway made this much money from their shows. I think this was a really good topic to write about because Broadway and other musical organizations are being slightly overlooked during this pandemic. I wonder how much money it would take to get a show up and running again and how long they can go without making anything?
ReplyDeleteIt's really interesting how Broadway has never really shut down like this before. It also sucks that this pandemic is going to have a negative impact on Broadway in the future. Already many community theater and school productions have been postponed or canceled but it’s interesting that Broadway shut down even when they didn’t shut down during the flu pandemic. How do you think this will affect smaller businesses like community/local theaters?
ReplyDeleteThe entire nation is obviously highly aware of the general economic disasters occurring because of this pandemic, yet the entertainment industry is one that is being heavily overlooked as most people don't consider the overwhelming amount of actors, musicians, and other individuals in the industry that completely rely on performances and show business for income and a structured lifestyle. Although few organizations or fundraisers have been created to support these individuals, such as the creation of new merchandise that will donate all proceeds to the production crews in the music industry, as you touched on, the most significant impact will be on the actions taken once it is safe to reopen the entertainment industry, and we can only hope that the American public will take to supporting the industry once reopening and replanning can occur.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to see how the overlooked entertainment industry such as Broadway is being affected during the global pandemic. It is unfortunate that the Broadway shutdown has affected some of us personally. To explain, Pewaukee Varsity and Treble choir were supposed to take a trip to New York. We were supposed to see Mean Girls, and Phantom of The Opera, on Broadway. Since the trip was canceled, Broadway lost all the funding from our tickets as they were shut down as well. With how many shows they have a week, it is hard to imagine the amount of people that were put out of work doing something they love because of this pandemic. Looking at future statistics, Broadway could face a huge problem just like the NFL and the PBA. With the company losing about 27 million dollars a week, this is the biggest loss that the company has ever had.
ReplyDeleteI do think that the company made the right decision in shutting the shows down however, it does make me begin to think, how are these individuals going to make money? This economic disaster is starting to wreck families and peoples life's. There are many organizations and small business just like this one, that are being shut down due to this pandemic. For example, I work at Gold n Tan in Pewaukee and we have been closed throughout this whole pandemic. Obviously I still live with my family but it is hard to think of my co-workers that don't have it as lucky as I do. I think it would be so helpful if there were organizations that targeted these specific small business, and tried to do funding or donations or something to help parents or even individuals out! -Ellie A
ReplyDeleteIt is very unfortunate to think about all the companies and businesses that may not be able to reopen due to this pandemic. This brings into perspective all small restaurants asking for customers to continue ordering take out and for all the theater and music groups doing live stream performances. It shows how important it is for people to still stay involved throughout the pandemic through donating or buying food or merchandise in order to help these groups and businesses even though we're all stuck inside.
ReplyDeleteThis is very saddening, seeing all these companies and businesses shutting down, some for good, due to this pandemic. While all these businesses and companies those money, as there are no sales, those who work at these companies have to file for unemployment, which is has reached an all time high. This shows that people in these communities need to be more supportive of small companies, especially, as they don't have the funding to reopen after this pandemic. This can be done by buying food from restaurants or buying clothing or items from these stores, giving them some profit which ultimately helps these businesses stay open after this pandemic.
ReplyDeleteThe people in the entertainment, tourism, food, and hospitality industries, have taken the brunt of the damage. Thousands of Americans laid off with no sight of their jobs coming back. But, our government does have the opportunity to support institutions like these, so the culture of America does not crumble along with the economic framework. I would imagine that the government will likely start giving money to business, and hopefully they will continue to support the arts. Logan T
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to read about how Broadway was affected by this pandemic. It is also very saddening to hear especially because you and I both were supposed to attend the choir New York trip :(. It was also shocking to me to see that Broadway made this much money from their shows and productions. It is also very sad to think that some of the businesses that are local, or that arent chain businesses may not even be able to re open after this pandemic is over. Overall, you did a really good job with the article!
ReplyDeleteThe entertainment industry is taking a huge hit due to COVID-19, and Broadway is a part of that. As someone who has been to a couple of Broadway shows, I know just how packed these shows can be, so shutting down Broadway, although saddening, was a move for the health & safety of everyone. I am wondering how the opening process for Broadway will go and if they will reopen all shows at once or do it more gradually. I also wonder that even after opening if attendance will quickly return to normal or if seats will be left open due to virus fear or people trying to save money.
ReplyDeleteThis pandemic is affecting everything. The entertainment industry has had a huge impact as well as the economic industry is also being affected. It is interesting to see how huge businesses/organizations, such as Broadway has been impacted by the virus. It is especially sad that trips, and vacations have had an impact as well. Like Delaney said, it will definitely be interesting to see weather or not the seats will be sold out, or if there will be many left open due to the progressions of covid-19.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think about industries that are being affected by COVID-19, I usually do not think about the entertainment industry. In fact, much of the entertainment industry is thriving, with online media being purchased, online streaming services being subscribed to, and videogame sales going up. However, it is sad that live entertainment like this is being shut down, and the worst part is that there's really no way to adjust to it. If they were to have a show online, then people would record it and spread it everywhere, which is exactly what Broadway doesn't want (if you've ever been to a show, you know how much they focus on how you can't have phones out in the middle of the show and recording it breaks copyright law). It's simply too complicated of a situation, but while there is an economic downfall currently, I believe that when COVID-19 is over Broadway will begin to thrive again. After all, people are always eager to support the arts, and when theatres and such become safe again, people will be right there in the stands to watch. It just might take a bit of time to get started again, if anything.
ReplyDeleteI know that almost everything is being shut down right now, except for "essential industries" for everyone's safety. It's interesting to see how nonessential businesses, like the entertainment industry, evolve and try to continue doing their jobs.
ReplyDeleteThe entertainment industry is really suffering from Covid-19, especially Broadway. I could not believe that all the Broadway shows in a week together make around $27 million! That is so much money the industry is missing out on! It will be interesting to watch how entertainment industries, like Broadway, are going to emerge out of this pandemic and start going again.
ReplyDeleteI think it is being overlooked how much the entertainment industry is being affected by this pandemic, this article really brought to my attention the extent of this as well. The fact that a normal week on Broadway makes around $27 million was astonishing to me, to think of all the revenue this industry will lose over this time is breathtaking. I feel for the Broadway actors and actresses who will be out of work for these 87 days, they must be enduring a really difficult time right now. It will be interesting to see how this all goes back to normal.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting read. When I think of businesses being shut down in NYC, I typically think of office and corporate jobs, not performing arts professions. I knew that it had an impact on the community, but I didn’t think that it would be as drastic as $27 million a week, and based on your information, I don’t think it’s including sales from the show merchandise booths outside of the venues. Additionally, the Tony's being postponed indefinitely is also taking a large toll on the economy. Not only are all the people nominated for awards’ schedules being compromised, but those who are working on the film and sound production crew for the live television airing have to rearrange their time. It’s very sad that it’s all being shut down, but it’s for the best in the long run, so everyone can stay safe. If anything, it will make us appreciate the Broadway performances even more when the industry opens back up.
ReplyDeleteThis is tragic especially when you consider how many people who work on Broadway have second jobs that are traditionally in the service industry. Actors or stagehands are often balancing time between the shows and working in restaurants or bars to increase income security. Suddenly, both streams of income have been almost entirely cut off. Even more so when you factor in that most people working in theater are on the younger side and likely DON'T have plenty of stored assets or huge savings accounts.
ReplyDeleteThis is terrible for the actors and workers as we know Broadway employees don't get payed as much as they're worth. Their financial situation is probably already a struggle as it is, maybe some of them even having to get a second job or another source of income. Do you know if they'll recieve any sort of severance or at least protection among this crisis? Maybe they could apply for the most recent Paycheck Protection Program and see if they could at least get minimal compensation.
ReplyDeleteThis is very sad, hopefully many broadway stars are able to create something new during this time, like during the Renaissance Era. Also I wonder how auditioning will work after the pandemic and if they will be able to have the same amount of people waiting together as they used to before. I also wonder how common Zoom shows will be in the future for those who would prefer to stay at home even after the pandemic is contained.
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