The historic “Great White Way” was forced to dim its lights this week as a powerful winter storm descended upon New York City, prompting the Broadway League to cancel all evening performances. In an industry that prides itself on the mantra “the show must go on,” the decision to shutter theaters is a rare and gravity-laden move, highlighting the severity of the blizzard currently gripping the Northeast.
The Broadway League, which represents theater owners and producers, issued the cancellation notice late Monday afternoon. The decision followed emergency declarations from city and state officials, including a travel ban that effectively paralyzed the city’s transit infrastructure. With subways moved to limited service and above-ground transit suspended, the logistics of getting thousands of audience members, cast members, and stagehands safely to and from the Theater District became an impossible task.
“The safety and security of theatergoers and employees is everyone’s primary concern,” Charlotte St. Martin, President of the Broadway League, said in a statement. While Broadway often attempts to remain open during minor snowfalls to accommodate tourists who are already in Midtown hotels, the sheer volume of this “historic” blizzard left officials with no choice. Meteorologists have predicted upwards of two feet of snow in some areas, accompanied by coastal flooding and high-velocity winds.
The cancellations are a significant blow to the industry’s weekly box office revenue. Monday and Tuesday nights are typically vital for maintaining a show’s momentum, and a full-scale shutdown can result in millions of dollars in lost ticket sales. For many tourists who traveled from across the country specifically to see a Broadway production, the news was met with disappointment. Box offices have already begun the massive undertaking of processing refunds and exchanges, urging ticket holders to contact their original point of purchase.
This isn’t the first time Mother Nature has brought the curtain down. From the Blizzard of 2016 to the devastating impact of Superstorm Sandy, New York’s theater industry has a long history of battling the elements. However, the scale of this particular storm—dubbed a “life-threatening” event by some weather services—has ensured that for at least one night, the only drama in Times Square will be the wind and the snow.
Producers are hopeful that performances will resume by Wednesday’s matinees, pending the city’s ability to clear the streets and restore full subway service. Until then, the marquees remain dark, waiting for the storm to pass so the lights can shine once again.
