Broadway Blizzard Watch - Evening Update - Snow is Here and the Shows Are ON! Refund & Exchange Information Inside

The snow storm is now underway in New York City, where the Weather Channel is predicting 10 inches or more, as well as wind gusts up to 50 MPH. The heaviest snow totals by Saturday afternoon are expected in New England from coastal Maine to Connecticut, as well as parts of Upstate New York, where one to two feet of snow is expected, and some locations, particularly in coastal New England, may approach, or even exceed three feet storm total snow.

The current updates for NYC, according to the Weather Channel, are as follows:

-Blizzard warnings posted through early Saturday afternoon.

-Amtrak's Northbound service out of Penn Station is now suspended.

-Mayor Bloomberg urges residents to call 311 for any weather-related problems. Use 911 only for life-threatening emergencies.

-MTA has advised of potential service disruptions, and information about any service changes to public transportation is available here.

-Snow plow progress can be tracked here.

All Broadway and Off-Broadway shows are currently scheduled to go on as normal, with the exception of Talley's Folly on Friday night, which has been canceled. Contact Audience Services at audienceservices@roundabouttheatre.org or (212) 719-1300 to reschedule.

Via Telecharge, the following Broadway shows are offering advance exchanges - before the performance - for customers who are unable to attend the Friday, February 8 evening performance, due to the winter storm: Chicago, Cinderella, Mamma Mia!, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Once, The Phantom of the Opera, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, The Other Place, Rock of Ages, The Heiress, Jersey Boys, The Book of Mormon, Manilow on Broadway.

The following Broadway shows are offering advance exchanges - before the performance - for customers who are unable to attend the Saturday, February 9 matinee performance, due to the winter storm: Chicago, Cinderella, Mamma Mia!, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Once, The Phantom of the Opera, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, The Other Place, Rock of Ages, Jersey Boys, The Book of Mormon, Manilow on Broadway.

Mayor Bloomberg has advised that the city will remain under alert through 1pm on Saturday.

Here's the latest from the MTA:

The MTA regional transportation network has assumed an aggressive storm-fighting posture in response to the severe weather forecast of frigid temperatures, high winds and snow accumulation of a foot or more. Customers should be advised that this weather event could require suspension of some portions of the region's subway, bus and commuter train operations.

"We are taking this forecast extremely seriously and began preparations throughout the MTA service area well in advance of the storm's arrival," said Thomas F. Prendergast, the MTA's Interim Executive Director. "If weather conditions require, there is the possibility that we will suspend some subway, bus or commuter rail services to ensure the safety of our customers."

Long Island Rail Road is urging customers in New York City to plan to leave for eastbound trips in the early afternoon, before the brunt of the forecast snowstorm begins to hit the region. For the safety of customers, the LIRR will suspend service if snow accumulations reach between 10-13 inches. The predicted severity of the winter storm will require Metro-North to further change its scheduled service. These changes are in anticipation of providing the best service to ensure your safety. Between 8 PM and 1 AM (Sat., 2/9), Metro-North expects to operate limited service as follows: On the New Haven Line and Harlem Line, there will be half-hourly service out of Grand Central and hourly service toward Grand Central. On the Hudson Line, there will be hourly service in both directions. As the evening progresses, train service may be suspended, depending upon weather conditions, to prevent trains from becoming stranded during the storm.

Beginning at the end of this evening's rush period, subway trains not required for service will be stored underground along express tracks around the system. This action is necessary to prevent them from being blocked in yards by drifting snow. However, it will mean the early suspension of some express service on some lines. Due to worsening weather conditions and anticipated lighter than usual p.m. ridership based on morning observations, bus service will be reduced from normal levels this evening. Road and travel conditions along all bus routes are being monitored closely and service suspensions could occur.

Specific bus, commuter rail and subway travel information can be found below.

New York City Transit
Today's weather event could force the curtailment or suspension of some subway or bus service. Customers are advised to limit travel or stay home if possible.

Bus service is being reduced this evening and curtailments are possible depending on road conditions. Subway trains not required for service will be stored underground along express tracks around the system. This is necessary to prevent them from being blocked in yards by drifting snow. However, it will mean the early suspension of some express service. Due to the inclement weather, all weekend work has been canceled. However, to protect trains underground, service will operate between Main Street and Queensboro Plaza, with a train shuttle between Queensboro Plaza and Vernon-Jackson Avenues, but no service in Manhattan. This operation begins around midnight tonight and end when trains are returned to their normal storage in Corona Yard. The 42nd Street Shuttle will operate overnight.

Long Island Rail Road
The MTA is urging Long Island Rail Road customers who work in New York City to plan to leave for eastbound trips in the early afternoon, before the brunt of the forecast snowstorm begins to hit the region. For the safety of customers, the LIRR will suspend service if snow accumulations reach between 10-13 inches. Crews will be out in force to clear tracks and the third rail used to power electric trains.

"We urge LIRR customers to take advantage of our extra afternoon Eastbound service and leave the city early before the worst of the storm hits," said LIRR President Helena Williams. "This is a serious storm, so it's best to get home early and avoid traveling as conditions worsen." The LIRR is providing 8 extra trains to assist customers heading home early Friday afternoon, in advance of the pending snowstorm. The extra service is between 2:09 PM and 3:48 PM, with extra trains on the Babylon, Port Jefferson, Port Washington and Far Rockaway Branches.

Metro-North Railroad
The predicted severity of the winter storm will require Metro-North to further change its scheduled service. These changes are in anticipation of providing the best service to ensure your safety. Between 8 PM and 1 AM (Sat., 2/9), Metro-North expects to operate limited service as follows: On the New Haven Line and Harlem Line, there will be half-hourly service out of Grand Central and hourly service toward Grand Central. On the Hudson Line, there will be hourly service in both directions. As the evening progresses, train service may be suspended, depending upon weather conditions, to prevent trains from becoming stranded during the storm.

Bridges and Tunnels
All nine crossings are open and operating normally at this time. Motorists are asked to allow extra travel time and operate at reduced speeds due to wet roadways. Scheduled lane closures and weekend work at the Queens Midtown Tunnel has been canceled due to the weather. As the storm intensifies, high winds and white out conditions may result in intermittent bridge and ramp closures.