Fresh York City’s Broadway theaters are dimming their lights for Sunday evening as a powerful blizzard descends upon the region. The Broadway League announced the cancellation of all performances with curtain times at 6 p.m. Or later, a decision impacting a significant portion of the week’s schedule and prompted by a state of emergency declared by New York Governor Kathy Hochul. The storm is forecast to bring 16 to 24 inches of snow, with snowfall rates potentially reaching two inches per hour, alongside powerful wind gusts and dangerous whiteout conditions, according to the National Weather Service. This widespread cancellation of Broadway shows underscores the severity of the impending weather and a shift in approach from a similar situation just a month ago.
While evening performances are off, matinee shows scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET or earlier will proceed as planned. Productions affected by the cancellations include popular titles like Oh, Mary!, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Chicago, The Book of Mormon, Wicked, & Juliet, and All Out: Comedy About Ambition. The decision, made by individual producers and theater owners in consultation with the Broadway League, aims to prioritize the safety of audiences, cast members, and theater staff. The League, the industry’s trade association, coordinated the response after considering travel bans issued in surrounding counties and a ban on non-essential vehicles in New York City after 9 p.m. ET.
A Change in Policy Following Earlier Concerns
The move to cancel evening performances across the board represents a notable change from a similar weather event last month. During a previous state of emergency due to snow, Broadway did not implement industry-wide cancellations, leading to significant concerns from cast and crew members who were forced to commute in hazardous conditions. That situation sparked considerable outcry, and this time, the League and producers opted for a more proactive approach. Cancelling shows, however, comes at a financial cost, potentially leading to hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue for each production.
Operation Mincemeat Final Performance Affected, Livestream Planned
The cancellation particularly impacts the original Broadway cast of Operation Mincemeat, as Sunday’s 7:30 p.m. ET performance was slated to be their final show. Initially, the production had intended to proceed, but ultimately joined the wave of cancellations midday Sunday. The 2 p.m. Matinee performance will now serve as the official final performance for David Cumming, Claire-Marie Hall, Natasha Hodgson, Jak Malone, and Zoë Roberts. In response to the cancellation, the cast has organized a livestream concert featuring all the musical numbers from the show, beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET.
The livestream offers a creative solution for fans who were hoping to notice the original cast one last time, and demonstrates the adaptability of the Broadway community. Details on how to access the livestream can be found on the show’s Instagram page.
Other Theaters Adapt to the Storm
The impact of the blizzard extends beyond Broadway. Several Off-Broadway productions, including BIGFOOT!, Burnout Paradise, Data, and You Got Older, have too cancelled their Sunday performances. However, some theaters are attempting to mitigate the disruption. Bug, starring Carrie Coon and Namir Smallwood, is offering $45 tickets for all remaining seats at its 2 p.m. Matinee, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Travel Advisories and Safety Concerns
The National Weather Service’s Blizzard Warning remains in effect from 1 p.m. ET Sunday through 6 p.m. ET Monday. Beyond the snowfall and wind, officials are warning of potential whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. New York City’s ban on non-essential vehicles after 9 p.m. ET is expected to further limit attendance even for those matinee performances that are still scheduled. Governor Hochul’s state of emergency declaration allows for the mobilization of resources to address potential power outages and other storm-related issues.
The Broadway League has advised ticket holders to contact their point of purchase for refund information. As the storm intensifies, authorities are urging residents to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel. The situation remains fluid, and updates will be provided as they become available.
Looking ahead, the focus will be on assessing the storm’s impact and preparing for a potential Monday evening reopening, dependent on road conditions and the ongoing Blizzard Warning. The Broadway League will likely issue further guidance on Monday morning.
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