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Since the shutdown of Broadway, I’ve been wanting to see what New York’s theater district looked like without any shows running, so last night I put on a mask and took a socially distant walk around.
This image is a reflection in a puddle of the marquee for “Hangmen,” the first new show felled by the virus. The play, which was in previews at the Golden, closed without opening.
The Booth is still promoting a canceled revival of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” which also closed before opening.
Outside the Hirschfeld, where “Moulin Rouge!” was playing, are columns promoting the cast, including Danny Burstein and Aaron Tveit, both of whom have survived being infected by the coronavirus.
The TKTS booth is promising a return to business on April 13. That was yesterday.
Also wildly over-optimistic: “See you in 2 weeks!” says the sign at the excellent Los Tacos No. 1.
The streets, of course, are pretty quiet, but for the sirens. Here is an ambulance passing the New Amsterdam, home to “Aladdin.”
There are still a few people about, but many of them appear to be either homeless — I saw a man urinating on the entrance to the Times Square subway station — or law enforcement.
A number of marquees are dark. This is the August Wilson, home to “Mean Girls.”
And there is some darkened signage. This is at the Walter Kerr, home to “Hadestown.”
And at the Belasco, a darkened sign for the just-opened “Girl From the North Country.”
Even those still illuminated have an eerie quality. This is the Ambassador, home to “Chicago.”
“Beetlejuice” faces one of the more unusual situations. It was being evicted from the Winter Garden on June 6 to make way for “The Music Man.” But it now seems like there will likely be empty theaters when Broadway reopens if the producers can afford a move and wish to make one.
There is plenty of unintentionally poignant signage. “Now in performances” declares the sign at the Longacre promoting “Diana,” which had started previews March 2.
And “Previews Begin March 13” says the frozen signage at the Hudson for “Plaza Suite,” the revival starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, which was one night from beginning when Broadway shut down.
“American Buffalo” was supposed to begin previews at Circle in the Square March 24.
And “Take Me Out” was supposed to begin previews tonight at the Hayes.
What will happen to small unopened shows like “Sing Street” at the Lyceum?
And “The Minutes” at the Cort?
Meanwhile, I had never appreciated the font and framing at the entryway to the Minskoff, home to “The Lion King.”
And how had I never stopped to take in the glorious clock and globe atop the Paramount Building?
Yet another visual element I only spotted because the streets were empty: the symbols below the show title at the Lyric, home to “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”
