For millions of people around the world, nothing says “New York” more than the theater district. Together with London’s West End, Broadway is rightly seen as the global standard for live stage productions.
That’s not going to change any time soon, but whenever live performances are able to resume it will take the theater industry time to recover from The Year of Corona.
Broadway will come back, but change is on the way
Significantly, the recovery process could actually benefit locals and international aficionados, Lively McCabe Entertainment’s Michael Barra told Fortune magazine.
Barra’s predictions include consolidated performers’ unions and more Broadway-style content available online (think Disney+’s production of Hamilton). Barra also said the theater industry will become less centralized on traditional hot spots as industry patrons and professionals -actors, producers, musicians, directors – become less willing to migrate to New York or London and focus rather on creating quality performance opportunities in previously off-the-beaten-track locations
For New Yorkers, who previously accounted for just 35 percent of theater audiences, decreased global travel and a years-long period of economic recovery is likely to mean that local theaters will choose to shutter some big-name, long-running musicals in favor of plays and shows that locals have yet to see.
In order to reach out to local audiences, Barra said theaters are likely to shutter… some of the biggest shows of recent years in order to re-start with fresh content.
“[Local theaters] long-running musical productions, which may have exhausted their tristate audiences, in favor of recently opened musicals, star-vehicle plays, and special limited-run and concert events,” he said.
Take a tour of one of the world’s greatest landmarks. You get a boat ride, too!
You probably already knew this, but it is nice to have one’s suspicions confirmed- according to NYCTourist, the five “must-do” activities for families in New York are:
• The American Museum of Natural History: Dinosaurs; giant whales on the ceiling; an awesome sky show at the planetarium. You name it, its inside this amazing building filled with mysteries revealed, little-known creatures and anything else your imagination can, or sometimes cannot come up with.
• Broadway: Singing, dancing, drama- the Great White Way will light up you and your family’s life like no other experience. Yes, its expensive, but there are ways of saving lots on your tickets, either on the internet or getting tickets at the last moment in Times Square. Don’t miss giving your family memories that will last a lifetime.
• NY Skyride: Take the elevator up, up, up to the top of the Empire State building and enjoy a 30 minute virtual tour in a simulator which is a one-of-a-kind. Passengers move in synch with the 18-foot high-definition screen while flying above the streets and landmarks of NYC.
• Statue of Liberty and Skyline Cruise: going to the SOL is like getting two great activities rolled into one. A fun boat ride with the best view of the NYC skyline imaginable; and an exciting and educational tour of one of the greatest landmarks found anywhere in the world. Take the kids, you won’t regret it.
• NYC Food Tasting & Cultural Walking Tours: really get down to the nitty-gritty of what NYC is all about. It’s about the culture, and where better to explore the culture than in the neighborhoods and the unique foods offered. It’s something different and sure to please.
Kids’ Night Out on Broadway is a fantastic way to take your children out for an unforgettable experience, and not have to mortgage the house to do it. From February 5th through the 9th, kids between the ages of 6 and 18 can get a free ticket to a Broadway show when they are accompanied by an adult with a full price ticket.
The list of shows from which to choose is long, including such incredible productions as The Lion King, Anything Goes, Sister Act, and many more. There are several off-Broadway shows also available, such as Rent, Stomp, Avenue Q, and others.
As an added bonus, those participating in KNOB are invited to Madame Tussauds for a pre-theater party on February 7th from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. The event is free to kids and one parent or guardian who has a KNOB ticket for a participating show. Kids will meet many cast members, participate in a variety of fun programming, and will get to explore the world-renowned wax museum. Madame Tussauds is located at 234 West 42nd Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues.
Remember the film Sister Act? Whoopi Goldberg plays a singer who must hide from the Mafia after witnessing a murder, and the police hide her in a convent where she must play the part of a nun. The screenplay was adapted for the theater and became a big hit in London’s West End after it opened there in 2009.
Now you can see Sister Act: A Divine Musical Comedy on Broadway. Unfortunately Goldberg is unable to reprise her role as Sister Mary Clarence, but Patina Miller is up to the challenge, with a wonderful voice and amazing stage presence. The chorus of nuns backing up Miller is spectacular, singing some old favorites and original tunes by the likes of Alan Menken, who gave the Little Mermaid her voice, and Aladdin his genius.
Sister Act is taking part in “Broadway Week,” and tickets can be purchased at the 2 for 1 price for shows beginning September 18 through the 30th.
June is a great month to feast on some of New York’s special theatrical presentations. From Broadway to Central Park to some less known venues, treat yourself to some amazing performances this month.
• Fish Eye: Playwright Lucas Kavner brings to life the love story of Max (Joe Tippett) and Anna (Betty Gilpin) which is a told in a loopy, time-warped fashion, but the narrative is never disjointed. Adrienne Campbell-Holt, director, makes sure everything runs smoothly while the cast delivers natural, convincing performances. Catch “Fish Eye” until June 18th at the HERE Arts Center, 145 Sixth Avenue, $18. Phone 2112-352-3101 for more information.
• All’s Well That Ends Well: Until June 11th you can bask in the wonderful New York tradition of enjoying, for free, a Shakespeare play in Central Park. One of Shakespeare’s ‘tragicomedies.’ The story tells the unlikely romance of Helena, a simple doctor’s daughter, to Count Bertram, an unwilling partner in this forced marriage, believing that he is marrying below his station. The play is full of twists and turns, one of Shakespeare’s “bed trick” plays, a case of mistaken identity during a sexual encounter. Delacorte Theater, June 11th through July 30th.
Shakespeare in the Park
• Best of Broadway 2011: Fast-paced, great songs, fabulous dancing and exciting staging and choreography will make you glad you stepped out for some great musical nostalgia. Check it out at the Tropicana Showroom in Atlantic City, 2831 Boardwalk, 800-843-8767
