Entertainment

Broadway Theaters To Remain Closed Into June Over Coronavirus

New York City's 41 Broadway theaters closed down in mid-March after Gov. Andrew Cuomo banned gatherings of 500 people or more.

Broadway Theaters To Remain Closed Into June Over Coronavirus
Kathy Willens / AP
SMS

The coronavirus pandemic is forcing the lights to remain out on Broadway until at least June 7. 

The Broadway League, which is a trade association representing theater owners and producers, made the announcement Wednesday. 

New York City's 41 Broadway theaters closed down in mid-March after Gov. Andrew Cuomo banned gatherings of 500 people or more.

The industry had originally been hoping to reopen by mid-April. That would've given productions time to start running before the April 23 eligibility cut-off date for this year's Tony Awards. That award show has now been postponed

Broadway had been in the midst of a golden age before the outbreak. Its 2018-2019 season brought in almost 15 million patrons who purchased more than $1.8 billion in tickets. 

But now The Hollywood Reporter estimates this three-month closure will likely result in roughly $500 million in lost ticket sales for The Great White Way.