Amid an alarming wave of COVID-19, Broadway is cancelling many big shows ahead of the Holiday time. After the highly isolating last year spent away from public celebrations and gatherings, people were highly excited to spend this year out celebrating with their friends and families, enjoying activities such as the Broadway.
The reemergence of the COVID crisis has affected Broadway very personally, as many in the production team and acting crew have tested positive amid the new wave. Ain’t Too Proud, Ms. Doubtfire, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hamilton, and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Wicked and Freestyle Love Supreme, are all amongst shows that have been cancelled due to this reason.
The most recent cancellation took place with Broadway announcing it was, “due to the detection of a limited number of positive COVID test results within the Broadway company.” These are some of the most popular shows on and late announcements regarding cancellations are causing people inconveniences. Many of the shows announced cancellations with less than an hour before the show time, due to emergency decisions out of caution.
The December 11 and 12 shows for the Off-Broadway revival of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ were shut down. Different shows all published their own statements regarding the cancellations with the general message being, “The wellness of our cast, crew, and guests is of the utmost importance. We apologize for the inconvenience, and all the tickets will be fully refunded, at the point of purchase.”
New York’s theatre district is made vibrant with Broadway and especially after such a disconcerting year of uncertainties. Though tickets are being refunded from the point of purchase, viewers and audience are more concerned about what’s to follow the sudden cancellations. After a year spent without public galleries, arts and theatre, it seems once again threatening what’s to come.
