The reason for drastic measures like fully shutting down shows is not because "the virus is particularly lethal," he added. "Any large gatherings of people, especially here in NYC where we know the virus is circulating, need to stop." "There is no question that Broadway shows should be closed," Racaniello said. Vincent Racaniello, a professor of microbiology at Columbia University, told BuzzFeed News it was crucial Broadway close in order to prevent people from catching the coronavirus. I can’t pretend that great theater is the panacea we’ve been waiting for, but in the meantime I think we could all use a few hours away from the evening news.” "This is an unprecedented opportunity for everyone to see a show that they otherwise might not have had easy and affordable access to. “As long as New York City is open for business, its beating heart remains the Broadway stage," Rudin told Deadline. To Kill a Mockingbird, West Side Story, The Lehman Trilogy, and The Book of Mormon, all of which are produced by Broadway producer Scott Rudin, were also offering the cheap seats. In fact, as late as Thursday, several shows - including Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? - were offering $50 discount tickets to keep crowds coming as more people avoid large public gatherings. Ticket holders were, however, permitted to exchange their tickets for ones at a later date. "Immediately upon learning of the positive test, both organizations began taking every step necessary to ensure the safety of our audiences, performers, crew, and building staff," representatives said in the joint statement.īoth organizations said the theaters were deep-cleaned and that they were "closely following all protocols related to containment and prevention," including informing all employees who may have been exposed and urging all high-risk audience members to "monitor their health diligently."īut the shows still went on Wednesday night and the theaters did not rush to close due to the virus - despite experts recommending "social distancing," or avoiding large crowds, to stop the spread of the virus. The Shubert Organization and the Nederlander Organization, which each own one of the theaters, announced the diagnosis in a statement Wednesday night. The unidentified usher, who is now quarantined, most recently worked last week at performances of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? The week before that he worked two performances of Six, a musical about the wives of Henry VIII. On Tuesday, an usher who worked two shows tested positive for the coronavirus. Thursday, 24 hours before Cuomo's ban is enforced.Ĭuomo acknowledged during a news conference that it only gave the Broadway industry several hours, "but we've already been talking to the Broadway theaters, and they're aware we're going to be doing this, so they have notice." The suspension on Broadway was to go into effect at 5 p.m. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday announced a ban of all gatherings of more than 500 people. Broadway is suspending all of its shows for a month after New York Gov.
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