Broadway Braces for Blizzard! But Some Stars Are Frozen Out?!

New York City's vibrant Broadway scene is known for its resilience, but a looming snowstorm is testing its limits. Most productions are currently planning to proceed with their Sunday performances despite a declared state of emergency, a decision that's drawing fire from some within the theater community. As of this morning, Disney's "The Lion King" and "Aladdin" are the only shows to have officially canceled, leaving many wondering if profits are being prioritized over people.

Broadway Braces for Blizzard! But Some Stars Are F...

The backlash has been swift and vocal, primarily playing out on social media. Jenna Bainbridge, a performer in "Wicked," didn't mince words. Tagging Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul, she pleaded, "Can you please tell the Broadway league that there’s a literal STATE OF EMERGENCY and it’s not safe to be forcing the thousands of theatre workers (and ticket holders who can’t cancel because of fine print) to come to shows??" You can almost feel the frustration in her words.

Her "Wicked" castmate, Danny Quadrino, who plays Boq, chimed in, echoing concerns about safety. "The health and safety of your theatre workers should be at the forefront," he stated, a sentiment that seems self-evident, yet needs to be said. Telly Leung, currently in the Off-Broadway "Phantom of the Opera" reboot, "Masquerade," also weighed in, directly responding to The Broadway League's announcement with a plea to the mayor: "@nycmayor. I am urging you to step in here. Theater workers are human beings who deserve to be safe in this weather emergency as well. @broadwayleague – I am urging you to do the right thing today for the safety of your workers and patrons.” The pressure is mounting.

For now, "The Lion King" and "Aladdin" have confirmed on their websites that Sunday's shows are canceled, with performances scheduled to resume on Tuesday. Ticket holders for those shows can expect refunds, which is a relief, I'm sure, for those who were planning to brave the elements. It's a tough call for producers. Broadway is big business, and canceling performances represents a significant financial hit. But at what cost?

Broadway rarely shuts down completely for weather, and with the subway and bus systems still operational, it's understandable that many shows are attempting to go on. The last major shutdown due to snow was a decade ago, on January 23, 2016, when a blizzard blanketed the city. It's a reminder that Mother Nature can, and sometimes does, win.

Elsewhere in the theater world, "Heathers The Musical," an Off-Broadway production, has proactively canceled both its matinee and evening performances today "out of concern for the safety of cast, company and audiences," according to their press release. A commendable move, demonstrating that some productions *are* prioritizing safety.

For those holding tickets to canceled performances, the standard drill applies: contact your point of purchase to arrange for exchanges or refunds. Meanwhile, audiences hoping to catch a show today do have some options. "The Book of Mormon," for example, is embracing the snow day, proceeding with its scheduled performances and even offering discounted tickets. "Snow day, show day!" their announcement declared. It seems the show will go on, for some at least, despite the weather, and despite the controversy.