Broadway, Radio City Cancel Shows Over COVID-19 Spike, Will New Year’s Events Be Next?

Despite only reopening to the public a few months ago, the entertainment scene in New York City is once again facing an uncertain future, as theatres close and performances are canceled in light of a spike in new COVID-19 cases.

Despite Broadway making its big return beginning in September, after the famous stretch of New York theaters closed due to the pandemic in March 2020, the popular tourist district is at risk once again, following a rise of cases due to the Delta and Omicron variants in New York, which has forced a spate of canceled performances in the past week.

Among shows which have canceled performances are “Tina,” “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” “Hamilton,” “Doubtfire,” “Ain’t Too Proud,” “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” “MJ the Musical,” “Jagged Little Pill” and “Little Shop of Horrors.” The “Freestyle Love Supreme” improv show was also forced to cancel performances as well, according to CNN.

“Aladdin” was one of the first shows to cancel performances not long after the first reopening due to positive cases amongst the cast and crew.

A holiday staple in New York, the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular,” which features the world-famous Rockettes dancers, has also been forced to shut down, with all performances through the end of the year canceled.

“We regret that we are unable to continue the Christmas Spectacular this season due to increasing challenges from the pandemic,” a statement on the show’s website reads. “We had hoped we could make it through the season and are honored to have hosted hundreds of thousands of fans at more than 100 shows over the last seven weeks. We have loved bringing back this cherished tradition that helps usher in the holiday season in New York City and look forward to welcoming fans back to Radio City Music Hall in 2022.”

CBS 2 reports that restaurants have also been forced to temporarily close throughout the city as well due to cases amongst staff, while the New York Times reports that New York University has also canceled all nonessential events and gatherings.

According to data from the CDC, New York City has sky-rocketed to new highs in numbers of COVID cases, with an all-time high of 10,599 cases reported on Dec. 16. New York State as a whole has been gripped by an increase in cases, with 9,958 cases reported in the rest of the state that same day.

However, despite the cancellations and spikes in cases, as of now, there are no plans to cancel the iconic New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in Times Square. Because the event is open only to those who are vaccinated and takes place entirely outdoors, as of now, the event is set to go on as scheduled.

“We’re going to watch very carefully,” Mayor Bill de Blasio told NBC News. “It’s still more than two weeks away. And if at any point we need to alter the plan, we will. Because it is an event where people are fully vaccinated and all outdoors, right now that’s something we’re going forward with.”