A stage view of Broadway's Majestic Theatre located in New York at 245 West 44th Street. The Majestic boasts over 1,600 seats and is one of the largest theaters on Broadway.

NEW YORK — Hallowed streets making up the Broadway Theater District remain bleak, listless and without light since the 41 theaters were forced to darken their stages back on March 12. And there appears to be no end to the coronavirus madness in sight. Unfortunately, producers are now offering refunds on all theatrical performances originally scheduled through May 30, 2021.

The Actors' Equity Association, which is the labor union representing live theatre, signs off on the latest COVID-19 delay, according to the AEA's Executive Director, Mary McColl.

"My heart breaks for everyone who works on Broadway or depends on it to make their living," McColl said. "Today the Broadway League made the difficult but responsible decision to put the safety and health of their workers and audience first."

"This is a deeply painful time for everyone who depends on the arts for their livelihood. We are at this moment because, seven months into the pandemic, our nation still lacks a coherent national strategy for masks and testing which could help bring the virus under control."

The AEA represents over 51,000 actors, actresses and stage managers who are struggling to make a living due to the devastating pandemic.

“Too many in the industry need help now as we face another six months without work," McColl continued. "The ongoing lack of work in the arts means we face a critical need for a federal COBRA health insurance subsidies, renewed federal unemployment benefits and arts funding. Washington must act.”

The shutdown of the Broadway Theater District was most recently extended until January 3, 2021, but theatergoers will now have to wait until late May before any productions even have the opportunity to take to the stage once more.

The President of the Broadway League, Charlotte St. Martin — the BL is the national trade association for the Broadway theater industry — confirms the latest setback and expresses some semblance of hope.

“With nearly 97,000 workers who rely on Broadway for their livelihood and an annual economic impact of $14.8 billion to the city, our membership is committed to re-opening as soon as conditions permit us to do so," St. Martin said. "We are working tirelessly with multiple partners on sustaining the industry once we raise our curtains again."

Ticketholders for productions through May 30 should contact their point of purchase to obtain details for exchanges and refunds.

Broadway is a juggernaut of business in the Big Apple. Last year, the Broadway Theater District grossed over $1.8 billion and hosted over 15 million theatre enthusiasts.

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