Lin-Manuel Miranda is Alexander Hamilton and Leslie Odom, Jr., is Aaron Burr in “Hamilton.” “Hamilton” is one of several productions making a return to Broadway in the fall.
Lin-Manuel Miranda is Alexander Hamilton and Leslie Odom, Jr., is Aaron Burr in “Hamilton.” After being shut down for a year, Broadway could see a return in the fall. Disney Plus Media Relations
Lottie Elizabeth Johnson
By Lottie Elizabeth Johnson
Lottie Elizabeth Johnson covers entertainment for the Deseret News, with a particular focus on reality competition shows, music and "Jeopardy!"

It’s been a year since Broadway went dark.

As the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine continues, theaters and concert halls nationwide are beginning to reopen. So what does this mean for Broadway?

Related
Are there any big shows in Utah coming up? Here’s the latest
Why ‘Fly More Than You Fall’ deserves to be on Broadway

What’s going on?

  • Broadway shows are currently closed through May 30, 2021, Broadway News reported.
  • Broadway is anticipating reopening later this year, according to Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League.
  • “At this point we’re thinking early fall, perhaps early September,” St. Martin recently told NBC New York. “That’s the way things are pointing.”
  • St. Martin said theatergoers should expect to wear masks when Broadway reopens, but that physical distancing in theaters likely won’t be an option.
  • “Broadway cannot reopen at anything less than full capacity,” she told NBC New York. “If the theaters aren’t at least 75% full, the shows won’t last. They’ll have to close.”
  • St. Martin added that some of the longrunning, more familiar productions — such as “Phantom of the Opera,” “The Lion King” and “Wicked” — will likely be the first productions to return.

Background

  • When Broadway shut down in March 2020, it forced a temporary end to 31 plays and musicals — including crowd favorites like “Hamilton” and “The Lion King,” the Deseret News reported.
  • The shutdown also affected the debut of new musicals — 16 openings alone were scheduled between March 12 and April 23, 2020, according to The New York Times.
  • In New York City, arts and entertainment employment declined by more than 60% between January and December 2020, Conde Nast Traveler reported.

Meanwhile in Utah ...

The Eccles Theater in downtown Salt Lake City recently announced a revised 2021-22 season for its Broadway at the Eccles series, according to the Deseret News:

  • Nov. 30-Dec. 5 — “Mean Girls”
  • Dec. 28-Jan. 23, 2022 — “Hamilton”
  • March 15-20, 2022 — “The Band’s Visit”
  • May 10-15, 2022 — “Jesus Christ Superstar”
  • June 14-19, 2022 — “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”
  • Aug. 2-7, 2022 — “Hadestown”
  • Sept. 6-11, 2022 — “To Kill a Mockingbird”
View Comments

Although still several months away, the fact that regional performing arts centers are starting to announce national tours represents a significant step forward for Broadway, according to The Washington Post.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.