STAGE TUBE: BWW Remembers 9/11 - A Look Back

On the 10th Anniversary of September 11th, BWW looks back and examines the impact that fateful day had on the Broadway community. Not surprisingly, we found that the tried and true tradition of "the show must go on" was never more evident than during those dark days, as actors, dancers, musicians and stage crews boldly returned to the stage and showed the world that New York City and Broadway would persevere.

After initially closing down productions on September 11th and 12th, most Broadway shows felt it was imperative to reopen their doors by September 13th. As curtains went up in those early days following the attacks, orchestras led their audiences in the singing of the National Anthem and many shows followed their curtain calls with cast renditions of "God Bless America". Yet despite these patriotic gestures, many shows could not overcome the eerie quiet that had quickly settled over Times Square. Ticket sales plummeted, as both tri-state residents and out of town tourists stayed away from New York City in droves in fear that further attacks were imminent. Within a week of reopening, many producers were announcing that their shows would shutter by September 23rd.

Among these casualties were the musicals "A Thousand Clowns" in which actor Tom Selleck was making his Broadway debut, and "Blast!" which had played 180 performances at the Broadway Theater. Three comedic plays fell victim to poor audience attendance as well, including "If You Ever Leave Me...I'm Going With You", written by husband and wife team Renee Taylor and Joe Bologna, "Major Barbara", a George Bernard Shaw revival which played just 74 performances, and "Stones in His Pockets", which had opened the previous April.

Other shows suffered losses as well. "Bat Boy" went on a hiatus from September 23rd through October 18th and eventually closed for good on December 2nd. "Tick..Tick..Boom!" playing off-Broadway, was also hit hard by 9/11 and eventually closed on December 6th.

Many shows made unique attempts to ride out the storm. "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" playing at Circle in the Square Theater, closed on September 23rd, but reopened its doors on October 30th, hoping to take advantage of the Halloween season. Unfortunately the production, which starred Terrance Mann and Daphne Rubin-Vega, ultimately closed for a second time on January 6th due to poor ticket sales.

Perhaps even more surprising than the shows that closed were those which came drastically close to ending their runs. "Les Miserables", at the time in its 15th year on Broadway, and "The Phantom of the Opera" playing in its 14th season, both faced the grim possibility of shutting down due to poor audience attendance. Similarly, shows such as "Chicago", "Rent" and "The Full Monty" were playing to half-full or smaller houses. In a desperate attempt to improve the situation, unions such as Actor's Equity and Local 802 negotiated with producers to take a 25% pay cut rather than lose their jobs entirely. "Without question, this is going to be an extremely tough time for everyone," said Actor's Equity Executive Director Alan Eisenberg during the negotiations. "We are acting now to help these shows and Broadway itself survive". Everyone seemed to be doing their part to help the cause, including theater owners who in some cases, waived rent for a month.

One show which managed to survive the effects of the 9/11 attacks was "Urinetown, the Musical". Having begun previews at the newly refurbished Henry Miller Theater on August 27th, the show's September 13th opening was delayed by one week. Led by Tony Award-winner John Cullum, the musical comedy told the story of a downtrodden city of the future where water usage and toilets were controlled by an evil corporation. For many theatergoers, this comical satire was just what they were looking for to escape the grim reality surrounding them.

At the return performance of "Rent" on September 13th, about 20 - 30 loyal fans showed up for the daily lottery. While theater managers went through the formality of selecting names, they eventually decided to show their appreciation by selling tickets to everyone who had shown up. On a BWW Message Board post from 2007, "craftymarley" recalled that poignant performance. "The theater was at 1/3 capacity and before the show started ushers came around and asked everyone to move down closer to the stage. Needless to say it was an emotional performance for everyone involved. The first act, the cast pretty much held it together, but the second act, with "Seasons of Love" and "I'll Cover You (Reprise)" and "No Day But Today", the cast and audience were a wreck. At the end of the show the cast recieved thunderous applause and a standing ovation. I believe I remember them collecting some money after for relief efforts as well."

In an attempt to "return to normalcy", New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani urged theatergoers in both the tri-state area and throughout the country to return to Manhattan and the Broadway community. In a press conference about post 9/11 New York tourism, he even joked, "Go see a play. You might even be able to get a ticket to The Producers!" Responding to the Mayor's plea, New Yorkers slowly began to return to the theater to show their support for their city.

But it was the Broadway community itself that ultimately came together and proved to all of us that Broadway was back in business. In the fall of 2001, hundreds of Broadway stars including Bernadette Peters, Bebe Neuwirth, Brook Shields and Valerie Harper came together in the middle of Duffy Square and filmed a TV promotional commercial. Singing Kander and Ebb's "New York, New York", the spot concluded with the upbeat voice of "Producers" star Nathan Lane urging Americans to "come to New York, and let's go on with the show!"

Click below to view this memorable commercial. Click here to see the newest Broadway community reunite for the encore performance, one decade later.