Back in March, Broadway made the devastating announcement that it would close its theaters through January 3, 2021. Now that closure is being extended through at least May 30, 2021. Although the Broadway League, a consortium of producers and theater owners, has considered several potential reopening dates this year, the harsh realities of the pandemic have forced them to push back the opening even further.
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Broadway Is Extending Its Shutdown Through May 2021
The extension of the shutdown quashes the hopes of theater-goers, actors, and producers who hoped stage performances would return this spring. Some shows you might see premiering next spring and summer include Hugh Jackman’s Music Man, the Michael Jackson musical MJ, Flying Over Sunset, The Minutes, American Buffalo, and 1776. All of these had previously planned to debut earlier in spring 2021 but will now likely be pushed back.
The May date is considered realistic with regard to the resumption of stage performances pending the availability and distribution of a vaccine. Unfortunately, Broadway doesn’t exactly lend itself to social distancing, and the Metropolitan Opera has already announced that it won’t be returning until September 2021. 