BROADWAY RETURNS

Joseph Morales and Company, HAMILTON National Tour. Photo by Joan Marcus 2018

THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

While we are waiting until November to kick off the Broadway season in Louisville, New York is getting out of the gates two months prior. After most COVID-19 capacity restrictions were lifted in New W

York and New Jersey last month, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that Broadway can reopen at 100 percent capacity beginning on September 14.

“Broadway is at the core of our New York identity, and a big part of our economy which employs countless performers and show creators, and beginning this September, the show will go on,” he said during his announcement on May 5. "The simplest formula? 100 percent vaccinated. You want to come to a theater? 100 percent vaccinated. The theaters will have to make those decisions. You want to open with 100 percent vaccinated?

God bless."

“We are thrilled that Gov. Cuomo clearly recognizes the impact Theaters will be subject to the state’s final approval of each of Broadway’s return on the city and state’s economy and theater operator’s health and safety protocols. Tickets are on the complexity of restarting an entire industry that has been sale now. dormant for over a year,” said Charlotte St. Martin, President of

Broadway is at the core of our New York identity, and a big part of our economy which employs countless performers and show creators, and beginning this September, the show will go on. The simplest formula? 100 percent vaccinated.

- New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

Tickets and info at: louisville.broadway.com

Waitress Nov. 9-14, 2021 Cats Jan. 18-23, 2022 Come From Away Feb. 15-20, 2022

Mean Girls Mar. 22-27, 2022

Hamilton June 7-19, 2022

Anastasia Aug. 2-7, 2022

the Broadway League, in a statement. "We remain cautiously optimistic about Broadway’s ability to resume performances this fall and are happy that fans can start buying tickets again.”

The Actors' Equity Association also responded to the announcement. "Today’s news means we are one step closer to the safe reopening of not just Broadway, but jobs for thousands of workers in the New York area,” said Mary McColl, executive director of AEA. "We look forward to continuing our conversations with the Broadway League about a safe reopening and know that soon the time will come when members can go back to doing what they do best: creating world-class theater.”

Broadway theaters shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic on March 12, 2020. At that time, 31 productions were running, including eight new shows in previews. Additionally, eight productions were in rehearsals preparing to open that spring. Shows were initially set to be shut down through April 12, 2020 then through June 7, 2020 then through September 6, 2020 and then through January 3, 2021. May 30, 2021 was the most recent target date for Broadway's reopening.

Off-Broadway, Blindness, Perfect Crime and The Office! A Musical Parody have already begun performances with COVID-19 safety procedures in place as well as reduced capacity.

Broadway's Diana is set to begin performances on December 1, and The Music Man is scheduled to begin performances on December 20.

The 2021-22 season schedule for Broadway in Louisville is as exciting as ever, kicking off with Waitress in November, followed by CATS, Mean Girls, Hamilton and more. Full season six-show packages start at $298. Don’t miss out!

This article was adapted from Broadway.com.

Top: The North American Tour of Come From Away. Photo by Matthew Murphy. Above: McGee Maddox as 'Rum Tum Tugger' and the North American Tour Company of CATS. Photo by Matthew Murphy. 2019.