Broadway theaters officially closed their doors on March 12, 2020.  This was in response to Governor Cuomo placing restrictions on large gatherings in New York City due to the Corona Virus. The ban was initially a temporary precaution, but remains in effect seven months later, with no end in sight. 

Forty-one Broadway theaters suddenly stopped performing, causing over one thousand actors and managers to lose their jobs. An estimated additional 96,000 people lost jobs in production, retail, restaurant owners, and taxi drivers. This trickle down effect is a result of a loss of tourists that further impacts NYC and specifically Times Square businesses. This provided a further toll on NYC’s economy due to closures of restaurants, hotels, and transportation surrounding the theaters. 

The pandemic has crippled live theater which would normally bring in millions of dollars in tickets sales each week. The last time NYC saw this amount of financial uncertainty was in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Even then, the theaters reopened two days later to crowds wanting to attend. 

Unfortunately, as there is no current end in sight, Broadway is slated to remain closed until well into 2021, citing the safety of their actors and guests as their top priority.  Until they can guarantee everyone’s safety, the lights will remain dim for “The Great White Way”.