Tony Awards Postponed As Coronavirus Imperils Broadway

The 74th Annual Tony Awards have officially been postponed, according to a representative.

Originally slated for June 7, Broadway’s biggest night will now be held “at a later date,” pending the re-opening of New York theaters. The decision was long-expected by the industry, with the only question being whether the awards would be cancelled outright instead. The Great White Way shut down completely two weeks ago under an order for Governor Andrew Cuomo, with a tentative re-opening date of April 13, four weeks later.

Now, however, with the situation worsening in New York as it becomes the epicenter of the pandemic in the United States, that date is wildly in doubt. Broadway relies on congregation, and as long as New Yorkers are forbidden, there’s nothing producers can do. The lack of specific rescheduling information from the Tonys reflects that uncertainty.

The coronavirus’s impact on live entertainment has been profound. According to the most recent study by the industry’s trade organization, Broadway supports over 87,000 jobs, and represents a yearly economic impact of over $12.6 billion, both in direct revenue and ancillary business, like restaurants and hotels. Last year, more people attended a Broadway show than the spectatorship of all 10 major New York and New Jersey sports teams combined.

All of these numbers, and the people they represent, are in jeopardy. Initial estimates for the shutdown had its cost at $100 million, minimum, based on the loss of revenue for four weeks, including the lucrative Easter frame. Now, however, the sky’s the (terrifying) limit.

Including lost business from related industries, not to mention the cancelled work that sustains thousands of freelancers, it is not inconceivable that the total economic tally of the Broadway shutdown could top $1 billion.

Already two shows have announced they will not continue operations, even if somehow the theaters could be reopened in April, due to schedules and a lack of reserve funds. New play Hangmen and the latest revival of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf played several preview performances each before Broadway went dark, and they will never re-open. Based on conversations with investors, their closures represent almost $10 million in lost capital, not to mention dozens of layoffs.

Lincoln Center and Roundabout Theater, two of Broadway’s nonprofit production companies, have announced they will be cancelling or postponing the remainder of their spring seasons as well. For now, Lincoln Center will open the new musical Flying Over Sunset and an adaptation of Intimate Apparel in the fall. Roundabout will likewise reschedule its new play Birthday Candles and the revival of Caroline, Or Change for the fall. Other shows, including A Soldier’s Play, will not be remounted to finish their planned runs.

These postponements will change the landscape of the Tony Awards, whenever they end up being held. The springtime closure could leave a dozen potential contenders out of the running, leading to a diminished field—and an ethical conundrum. How will the American Theater Wing and the Broadway League, the Tony presenters, acknowledge these lost products without undercutting those that will have resumed performances, or finished their planned runs before the shutdown?

It will be another painful form of triage after months of hardship, throwing into stark relief the risky nature of the industry, where big hits accrue massive reserve funds, and smaller shows can be scuttled in a matter of weeks. (Personally, I hope this affords a chance to re-examine the way we fund, or don’t, these ventures—the complete lack of a support network for riskier art will be all the more apparent).

But the Tonys are more than trophies; the ceremony is Broadway’s yearly calling card to the nation. Regardless of the competitive slant, presenters will have an opportunity to show the world that Broadway is safe, vital, and open for business.

The question is: When will that sentiment ring true?