New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that theaters and other businesses can reopen at full capacity beginning May 19. This follows New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announcing that the city will have a full reopening on July 1. However, considering that mounting Broadway productions takes time, it is likely that smaller shows will open in the summer while larger shows will reopen in September.
On May 3, Cuomo announced that capacity restrictions will be lifted on May 19 for businesses in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, as part of a tristate-area coordinated approach. Businesses can open at full capacity, but must maintain six feet between all patrons. The six-feet rule does not apply if attendees provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.
Similarly, theaters can truly reopen at full capacity, without distancing, if audience members and the artists involved are fully vaccinated or have a negative test for COVID-19. Cuomo did admit that this doesn’t mean that theaters will reopen right away.
“Museums, theaters, Broadway, retail, shops—now they may make their own economic decision as to when they need to reopen, because they can have critical mass,” he said in the press conference. “Broadway, for example, has a schedule. They have to produce a play before they can sell the play. So there’s a schedule for them, but from a capacity point of view they can all reopen on May 19th.”
Then on May 5, Cuomo announced that Broadway will reopen at full capacity on September 14, with tickets going on sale starting May 6.
The Broadway League, the trade organization representing Broadway producers, said in a statement that they will focus on a September reopening: “We applaud the governor’s recent announcement easing capacity limits on performance venues in New York State. We are encouraged by this good news, which is a long-awaited indication that New York is truly on the road to recovery. We look forward to reopening at full capacity and are working to safely welcome audiences and employees back to Broadway theatres this fall. As always, we continue to work closely with our elected officials and will share more information as soon as plans become finalized.”
The Broadway League also said that reopening dates will be announced in the coming weeks. “We are thrilled that Governor Cuomo clearly recognizes the impact of Broadway’s return on the city and state’s economy and the complexity of restarting an entire industry that has been dormant for over a year,” said Broadway League President Charlotte St. Martin in a statement. “Nothing beats Broadway. The theatre owners, producers, and other League members will continue to work with the NY State Department of Health and the Governor to coordinate the industry’s return and the related health and safety protocols required to do so. We remain cautiously optimistic about Broadway’s ability to resume performances this fall and are happy that fans can start buying tickets again.”
Last week, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio promised New York City will “fully reopen” on July 1. “You should expect Broadway full-strength in September, but I’d love to see some of the smaller shows up in July and August,” he said to MSNBC.
So far, theaters in New York have been slowly announcing in-person performance dates. The Public Theater announced the return of Shakespeare in the Park this summer. “Diana” on Broadway has begun selling tickets for performances beginning on Dec. 1.
In response to Cuomo, Actors’ Equity Association released a statement of support, saying, “We are having regular and ongoing conversations with the Broadway League about what protocols for a safe reopening would look like, and have a clear understanding of their timetable,” said Equity’s Executive Director Mary McColl. “We welcome this unexpected announcement and look forward to a safe reopening of theatre, both on Broadway, Off-Broadway and beyond, that prioritizes the safety of the workers.”