Omicron Hampers Broadway!

[Tomconroy]

After a shaky December, when as many as half of Broadway's shows were shut down because of breakthrough COVID cases, things are on a more even keel; there were no canceled performances on Broadway last week. But the winter doldrums have hit – with temperatures and tourism plummeting, fewer people are seeing shows. The most recent box office figures show roughly two-thirds of seats filled, many at a heavy discount. Several musicals and plays closed for good, because of COVID — presumably the omicron variant — including Jagged Little Pill, Waitress and Ain't Too Proud. And, in a new trend, three shows have closed for now, in the hopes of returning in the spring.

There were very few people at the half-price TKTS booth in Times Square last Tuesday night, and many of the 21 shows still playing on Broadway were offering discounts. Roger Wilson from Sweden was looking for bargains. "I understand the industry is really struggling," he said. "On the other hand, it's easier for someone like me to get last-minute tickets."

https://www.npr.org/2022/01/23/1074817122/pandemic-broadway-closed-shows-actors-producers-tickets


We'll be there ere long.

[jimfields33]

1. I'm sure the Broadway will survive.

A lot of entertainment has been affected. A lot of shows received money from donations to help them through all of this.

[PJMcK]

2. Broadway needs tourists to thrive as a business

The number of New Yorkers and nearby suburbanites who frequent the theater is relatively limited. In order to balance their books, Broadway shows need to sell 65%-plus of their seats for every performance. To make a profit, they need to exceed 75% and that's at full price.

Without out-of-town tourists and business travelers, there aren't enough people to fill the theaters. And restaurants. And hotels. And parking garages, taxis, etc. Toss the pandemic and travel restrictions into the mix and the theater business has a steep hill to climb.