Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Broadway: “Wicked” Gets COVID, Cancels Performances, “MJ Michael Jackson Musical” Gets 3 Standing Ovations

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There’s a lot going on on Broadway.

“Wicked,” the long running hit musical, has been hit with COVID. First they cancelled yesterday’s shows (Saturday), now today’s performances are not happening. The show says they’ll be back on Tuesday. No word on who at the show tested positive, or how many, cast or crew.

I’m actually surprised more shows aren’t having COVID issues. Putting Broadway productions on right now is very tricky, and everyone is doing their best to avoid trouble. But the shows must go on for the sake of the Broadway economy.

Meanwhile, good news from “MJ The Michael Jackson Musical.” The dress rehearsal Saturday night, I’m told, was such a success that there were THREE standing ovations during the show. First preview is this week, and the opening is in February. Everyone is hoping for a success here, and it’s looking good so far, I will try and sneak in this month and take an early look.

 

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Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman is the founder and editor-in-chief of Showbiz411. He wrote the FOX411 column on FoxNews.com from 1999 to 2009 and previously edited Fame magazine and wrote the "Intelligencer" column at New York magazine. His bylines have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the New York Daily News, the New York Post, Vogue, Details, and the Miami Herald. He is a voting member of the Critics Choice Awards (Film and Television branches), and his movie reviews are tracked by Rotten Tomatoes. is articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. With D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus, he co-produced the 2002 documentary "Only the Strong Survive," which screened at Directors' Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival.

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