Industry Pro Newsletter: Off-Broadway Returns to NYC, More Reopening Timelines Begin to Solidify

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April 5, 2021 -

With off-Broadway performances resuming at some venues in New York, mid-May openings in the UK, and performances already underway in Australia and some parts of Asia, things are steadily returning to a sense of normal in the performing arts industry. While there are still many questions left to answer and a long way to go along the road to being fully reopened (most venues are working with some form of limited capacity and additional health protocols in place) this is a highly encouraging sign that over the remainder of this calendar year we should find ourselves living the new normal. Vaccination programs continue to get shots into arms of the public, and in the next few weeks most Americans will be eligible to receive their vaccine, opening even more doors and opportunities for audiences to arrive back in theatre seats.

Webinar Replay: The Ins and Outs of BroadwayWorld Stage Mag

Stage Mag is BroadwayWorld's free (and easy) to use solution to building a digital program - last month we were joined by Senior Managing Editor Nicole Rosky to walk through making your own Stage Mag step by step. Recently, Stage Mag has been utilized for Disney's Women's Day on Broadway and the 75th Birthday Celebration for Liza Minnelli. The traditional show program has been rethought to provide an easier setup, efficiently collect whole audience data (moving beyond just data on the primary ticket buyer, and interactive features - including countdown clocks, clickable ads, video covers, and more! All of that along with an easy to use design template that offers you both a printable PDF and a mobile friendly responsive display, audiences will love their Stage Mag for both digital presentations and when they make their return to your seats.

If you missed the webinar, check out the replay here!

Some Broadway Shows Tentatively Holding September Dates

In an interview last week, Broadway League president Charlotte St. Martin confirmed New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's timeline of a fall reopening for Broadway. In the interview, St. Martin says that some shows are tentatively holding dates for September, with other shows eyeing reopenings throughout the fall through the end of 2021, all ultimately dependent on the continued rollout of the vaccine.

Black Theatre United Releases "Stand for Change"

The song and music video recorded by multiple founding members of the group not only serves as a fundraiser for social justice efforts, but serves as an effort to raise further awareness of the inequities that occupy the performing arts industry at all levels - and aims to open the doors to further conversations about making necessary changes before Broadway productions and more return to performances.

Mid-May Openings and Shakespeare Highlight the Horizon in the UK

Shakespeare's Globe is slated for a Mid-May reopening, with reduced capacity and seats instead of standing groundlings, but productions will begin with new interpretations and cuttings of Shakespeare classics. Star-studded productions dot the landscape in the near term theatre season - highlighted by Ian McKellen's age-blind Hamlet opening in June.

Thanks to Governmental Support, the Show Goes On in Paris...Sort Of

Frequently performing in front of empty houses due to continued lockdowns in Paris, the Paris Opera continues to perform and rehearse - both for filmed productions and to be ready when restrictions on audiences are lifted and they're once again able to fill the seats. While this would have been the ideal in many places, in Paris, thanks to deep governmental support, it has been a reality.

Off-Broadway Returns - with a Stage Mag

Blindness at the Daryl Roth Theatre was one of the first shows to return to the stage in New York City since the shutdown began, beginning performances on April 2nd. Not only is it one of the first shows back on stage, the production will be the first off-Broadway show to utilize Stage Mag from BroadwayWorld.

Lin-Manuel Miranda Joins NBC's Roll Up Your Sleeves Vaccine Special

As part of the effort to keep the vaccine rollout momentum going, Lin-Manuel Miranda, former first lady Michelle Obama, and more stars of stage, screen, and science will come together later in April in a new special night from NBC focused on why people should get vaccinated to help get life and the economy back to normal.

The Drama Book Shop Gets Ready to Reopen

Forced to move from its previous location at the end of 2019, the reopening of the more than 100 year old bookshop was delayed on multiple occasions due to the events of 2020 - but the signage is now up outside the new location (one block away from the previous location) and the shop is getting ready to reopen to the public soon.

Are You Streaming Content?

The BroadwayWorld Streaming Calendar is the go-to resource for theatre audiences looking for a theatrical experience in their own living room. The best part? Listings are completely free of charge (with paid boosting options available). Add your streaming content today!

BroadwayWorld Stage Mag - A Fully Interactive Show Program

The digital solution to your show program needs - want to see what's possible? Check out the Stage Mag's for Disney's Women's Day on Broadway and A Love Letter to Liza: A 75th Anniversary Celebration Then start building your own at stagemag.broadwayworld.com.

Are You Streaming Content?

The BroadwayWorld Streaming Calendar is the go-to resource for theatre audiences looking for a theatrical experience in their own living room. The best part? Listings are completely free of charge (with paid boosting options available). Add your streaming content today!

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