Friday Marks 1 Year Since Great White Way Went Dark, But Broadway Showing Signs Of Recovery

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Friday marks one year since Broadway shut down, leaving thousands out of work and costing billions in losses for the local economy.

As CBS2’s John Dias reports, we’re now seeing some glimmers of hope for the future.

It was a day New Yorkers and theater lovers won’t soon forget. One year ago, COVID turned the bright lights of Broadway off. Thirty one performances were canceled, as cases spike in the Tri-State Area.

Now a year later, Broadway performances are still suspended through May 30. Leading producer Kevin McCollum said health and safety protocols will be a top priority when shows to resume.

“We’re not going to let anyone in this theater, on stage or backstage if we feel there’s any risk of putting them in peril,” he told CBS2. “Everyone’s going to wear a mask, whether you’re vaccinated or not.”

The shutdown had a $15 billion impact on the city’s economy, and thousand of theater professionals are still out of work. However, a growing number of them are returning to do pop-up shows and smaller surprise performances. Details will be kept secret until the last minute to avoid attracting large crowds.

“We are bringing as much joy that we can to the city and as much work to as many people as possible,” said Holly-Anne Devlin, of Kaleidoscope Productions.

A YEAR IN THE PANDEMIC: REMEMBRANCE & RESILIENCE

• A Look Back On What’s Been Lost And How Tri-State Has Persevered
• Timeline Of Virus’ Swift Impact Across The Globe
• Long Island Nurse Who Documented Painful Journey Warns Fight Is Not Over
• Essential Workers Risk Their Own Safety To Keep Supplies And Services Running
• Area School Districts Continue To Make Best Of Tough Situation, Always With Eyes On The Future
• Daughter Looks To Carry On Father’s Legacy At Arthur Avenue Restaurant
• Unemployment Forced Many In Our Area To Reinvent Themselves, And Gain Perspective Along The Way
• Food Insecurity Grows Throughout Tri-State Communities, ‘The Face Of Hunger Has Changed’
• The Sports World Stopped, But Hope And Progress Are Beginning To Win The Days
• ‘Long Haulers’ Still On Long Road To Recovery, ‘A Complete Lifestyle Change’
• Vaccines Offer Shot Of Hope, Despite Ongoing Distribution Struggles

Americans are trying to stay resilient from the Great White Way to the White House, where President Joe Biden made a major vaccine announcement Thursday night.

“I will direct all states, tribes and territories to make all adults, people 18 and over, eligible to be vaccinated no later than May 1,” he said. “If we do this together, by July the 4th, there’s a good chance you, your families and friends will be able to get together in your backyard or in your neighborhood and have a cookout or barbeque and celebrate Independence Day.”

Thursday night in the Bronx, Montefiore Hospital hosted a vigil to remember those lost and honor the hero frontline workers who are still tirelessly fighting to save lives.

“For us, it does take a mental toll, because we never know the person that’s on the other side of that call that might not make it,” nurse manager Gwen Anderson said.

COVID VACCINE

• New York State book online here or call 1-833-NYS-4-VAX
• New York City book online here or call 877-VAX-4NYC
• Track NYC Vaccinations By Zip Code
• Nassau County more info here
• Suffolk County more info here
• Westchester County more info here
• New Jersey book online here or call 1-855-568-0545
• Connecticut book online here

Now the toll of the pandemic is becoming horrifyingly clear. A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to show the U.S. death rate rose by 15% in 2020, officially making it the deadliest year in recorded history.

With vaccinations on the rise, doctors say we could soon have COVID on the run.

“I do believe that the worst is behind us,” said Dr. Ashish Jha, of Brown University. “The ticket out of this pandemic is these vaccines. Then the pandemic comes to an end.”

Biden is also starting a federal COVID website on May 1 and plans to use dentists, veterinarians and medical students to distribute the vaccine.

source https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2021/03/12/broadway-shutdown-1-year-later/