Broadway in 2021: What Should We Expect?
Like all who love Broadway, we were anticipating 2021 and the restart of the shows on the biggest stage in the world. However, much to our surprise, the Broadway League announced that all shows will remain closed at least until May 30th, 2021. Individual productions will announce their return dates and they may differ from the timeline announced by the Broadway League.
So, what should we expect from Broadway in 2021?
COVID on Broadway: Timeline
The first wide-spread closure of Broadway shows was announced on March 12th when Gov. Andrew Cuomo, banned gatherings of more than 500 people in one place. Broadway shows were left operational at 50%, but were soon closed entirely with a tentative schedule to reopen on April 12th, 2020.
A second announcement on April 8th prolonged the lockdown until June 7th, 2020. This timeline too proved to be overly optimistic. In mid-October, the Broadway League released a statement saying that all shows will remain closed until May 30th, 2021st.
Broadway in 2021
Even in our darkest dreams we never thought that there would be no Broadway for a whole year. There were several top-quality performances that were scheduled to launch, but were postponed. Other productions released statements that they are not going to open at all.
Broadway shows planned for 2021
Several big names were lining up for a stint on Broadway in 2021.
Plaza Suite — featuring the real-life couple of Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker. This popular show was preparing for a run beginning March 19. We still hope that we’ll get a chance to see Neil Simon’s star-studded comedy later in 2021.
American Buffalo — this Broadway household name was scheduled to return in the end of March 2021 as well. This was the Buffalo’s second reschedule, after its planned beginning in 2020 was delayed for this year.
The Music Man — 2021 was no short of mainstream superstars. Hugh Jackman was expected to make his long-awaited return on Broadway with his “Music Man”. The show was scheduled to launch October 22.
Other notable shows that had their debut postponed include Birthday Candles, Caroline, or Change, and MJ.
Closed broadway shows
Many of the shows that were up and running prior to the pandemic have announced that they won’t open after the planned Broadway restart in 2021. The first announced to close were Frozen and Beetlejuice, followed by Hangmen and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”.
The latest addition to this rather sad list is “Mean Girls”. However, Tina Fey has announced that the show will be turned into a musical movie following in Hamilton’s footsteps. That would be Fetch!
Returning performances
Many Broadway headliners haven’t updated their status and have held steady. This gives us a glimmer of hope that these shows will be the first ones to return after the pandemic ends.
Hamilton — Broadway’s highest-grossing show before the pandemic looks to have the financial might to sustain the current situation. Looking ahead, Lin-Manuel Miranda made a bold move transferring “Hamilton” on the Disney + streaming service.
The Phantom of the Opera — not many people remember Broadway before the Phantom. After all, this was in 1988, 33 years ago! The producers of the Phantom of the Opera haven’t made any announcements about canceling, so we believe that the dark figure from below the Paris opera will come back strong!
Chicago the Musical— the longest-running and most successful Broadway revival is presumed to return to stage after the pandemic ends.
The Lion King — yet another juggernaut that is considered safer than many productions. Disney’s musical adaptation of the cult 90’s animated movie is the highest-grossing musical of all time, so we are hoping that they are able to weather the storm and entertain us later this year.
Wicked — Glinda and Elphaba are presumed to return on stage for the show’s 18th birthday. Another upside for the show is the Gershwin Theater. The largest venue on Broadway guarantees a good amount of revenue once everything returns to normal.
Other shows that are considered returning are West Side Story, Tina, Dear Evan Hansen and Come from away.
Broadway streamed online
Several shows took it to the trending online streaming services.
Hamilton’s arrival on Disney + made the biggest hustle and others soon joined. Company, Cats, Into the Woods, and Rent are just a part of the elite company that is set to conquer the internet. Add to this Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Youtube channel — The Show Must Go On, and you’ll have the best musical theater classics just a click away.
Economic damages on Broadway
The pandemic took a heavy toll on the theater industry. And it affected everyone — actors, producers, and staff. It gave an abrupt end to a pretty good season, grossing $1.3 billion just before the lockdown.
The unemployment skyrocketed after the closure. Broadway provides more than 96 000 jobs that contribute $15bn to New York City’s economy. Needless to say, the current situation has led to damages beyond repair. This forced the industry to petition congress for financial aid and a 100% COBRA subsidy for health coverage.
The actors
Meanwhile, several prominent Broadway actors took matters into their own hands. They have devised several ways to make a living and stay in touch with their audience.
Robbie Fairchild
The ballet dancer — turned Broadway star has now ventured into the floral shop business. He launched the Boo-kay NYC floral shop during the height of the global pandemic. Kudos Robbie!
Tamika Lawrence
The to-be star of Caroline, or Change has launched her own line of street wear — Ready Set Wear. Behind the scenes, she’s a one-woman show — researching distributors, drop shipments, marketing, video editing and apparel design in preparation for the launch.
Reeve Carney
The star of Hadestown has established his own shop for effects pedals — Quarantine Effects USA. All of them are designed and created by hand. And it all started by modifying a broken pedal.
Jennifer Simard and Jessica Vosk
The two are now into podcasting. “Killing It on Broadway” is a true-crime comedy podcast. The podcast has seen prominent Broadway guests such as Kristin Chenoweth, James Monroe Iglehart, Beth Malone and Grey Henson.
Jeremy O. Harris
Harris’ gender-neutral capsule collection with SSENSE is a huge hit around. And he is donating his fee to help support unemployed members of the theater community.
Fran Curry
The Broadway veteran has transitioned into accessories. Curry started her own line — the GirlFran Jewelry, providing Broadway-level jewels to anyone who wants.
Many stars have found other means to earn a living, putting their skills to good use. Jessica Rush is selling bracelets on Etsy, Karen Hyland Monteith teaches yoga online, Lisa Karlin is working at a virtual office, while Vasthy Mompoint is working in television. Her company — Broadway Babysitters provides work for her fellow actors in need.
Conclusion
Broadway in 2021 will not look like it did. It might sound as a cliché but we all know it is true. We pray that modern-day medicine will turn the tide of the pandemic and that the shows will reopen this summer.
However, several issues cloudy the horizon. How many of the shows will survive? Not all have Hamilton’s financial potential. How are they going to pay the actors, the staff? The industry lost millions, how is it going to recover?
Still, we believe that Broadway will return strong in 2021. It will change, but it will also adapt, becoming better-prepared for these situations in the future.
