Broadway looks to restart on Monday after Irene
NEW YORK — Broadway planned to reopen Monday after Tropical Storm Irene forced theaters to scrap a potentially lucrative late-summer weekend.
When the threat of Irene prompted city officials to shutter the public transportation system, theater producers threw in the towel for matinee and evening performances on Saturday and Sunday. Depending on the show, theaters lost revenue for up to four performances.
“As of now, Broadway performances will play on Monday as scheduled, unless government authorities request otherwise,” said Elisa Shevitz, of the trade group The Broadway League.
It was the first time Broadway has shut down for an emergency since a city-wide blackout in 2003. It came as the city is flush with tourists and with schools mostly still out. The two dozen shows performed last week grossed just over $20 million and attracted some 217,000 theatergoers.
Although most Broadway shows traditionally run on a Tuesday-to-Sunday schedule, lately a number of shows have played Monday night, including “Chicago,” ”Hair,” ”Mamma Mia!,” ”Rock of Ages,” ”The Phantom of the Opera” and “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.”
Though both of Disney’s popular shows on Broadway — “Mary Poppins” and “The Lion King” — were previously scheduled to be off on Monday, they plan to be ready on Tuesday. Spokesman Dennis Crowley said that while the actors and crew were relieved not to have to report to work in the storm, they’re eager to get back to their theaters.
