“Plaza Suite” starring Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker will open in March 2021 on Broadway. The Neil Simon revival would have opened this past March.
This follows the Broadway League’s announcement that the Great White Way is closed until Labor Day, and likely through the end of the year.
“While all Broadway shows would love to resume performances as soon as possible, we need to ensure the health and well-being of everyone who comes to the theatre – behind the curtain and in front of it – before shows can return. The Broadway League’s membership is working in cooperation with the theatrical unions, government officials, and health experts to determine the safest ways to restart our industry,” said Charlotte St. Martin, President of the Broadway League. “Throughout this challenging time, we have been in close communication with Governor Cuomo’s office and are grateful for his support and leadership as we work together to bring back this vital part of New York City’s economy – and spirit.”
Broadway performances were suspended on March 12, 2020. At that time, 31 productions were running, including 8 new shows in previews. Additionally, 8 productions were in rehearsals preparing to open in the spring.
The shutdown is such a huge loss for New York, for the theater district businesses, for the theater owners, the casts and crews of shows. The financial implications are perilous. Despite the terrific efforts of many to raise money for the Actors Fund, and so on, almost no amount of money from individual contributions will solve this problem. There’s going to have to be some kind of government bail out.
And it’s not just financial– it’s emotional. New York thrives on the pulse of Broadway and all live performances. It’s going to be a very difficult fall.
Meanwhile, what to do about the Tony Awards? Even though the Outer Critics Circle and a few others have cooked up awards for this foreshortened season, it’s kind of ridiculous. The odds are that the 2021 Tony’s will include shows from this season. I already wrote about the shows and nominees that should be included.
