why are so many shows CLOSING? | an explanation of the West End and Broadway turmoil 

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Another reason people haven't been advance booking tickets is all the train strikes recently. If you are coming to see a show in London, chances are you will be using a train and people are worried about booking a ticket then not being able to get there due to strikes. A further reason is people waiting for offers and deals to come up on a show because their budgets are tight and not being too picky about which show to see. If the choice is between a show where you need to pay £60+ for a ticket or a show where you can get a ticket for £30, people will choose the cheaper show

I don't know if this is a bit niche, but I'd love a video about the logistics and economics of touring productions. I'm not near London, so I'm limited by what comes to my local theatre. I always wonder, how do they choose the venues, how do they know how long to stay, there is a massive variation in the size and capacity of regional theatres, is it less risky for producers because there are new potential audiences every week? Just something I'd love to learn more about as a theatre fan who's not based in London

i think Dear Evan Hansen suffered from the movie and the backlash there. The movie allowed people to take a second look at the show and decide they don't really like it anymore, and that has translated to the theatre version in the public perception.

I am another theatre goer who stopped booking advance tickets because of the train strikes. I will return in a flash if transport becomes reliable again. Congratulations on 40k followers!

I think it’s worth remembering that even though Covid restrictions are gone, Covid isn’t. So for me at least as an audience member that means there’s still uncertainty and a lack of desire to book really far ahead. If there’s a big wave of Covid I may not want to sit at a theatre. I wonder if this is also why more classic shows aren’t doing well, because the audiences for that tend to be older and I wonder if older, more vulnerable people are less likely to want to be in a theatre.

Come From Away closing really saddens me, it's such an incredible show and I think absolutely everyone should see it. Unfortunately though, 9 times out of 10 when I mention it to people they've never heard of it. It's sad but I can understand why it's closing. I just really hope it tours so that more people can have the opportunity to see it.

Not a closing but an opening - Anaïs Mitchell did a gig at Koko in Camden last night, announced (alongside her Grammy nomination) that she's looking at bringing Hadestown to the West End. Rachel Chavkin rumoured to direct again. Nothing confirmed yet, but thought I'd spread the news.

You're right about Come From Away advertising material not grabbing people. I skipped it many times when deciding what to see on Todaytix or Seatplan as it didn't appeal. Then a musical theatre loving acquaintance told me it was unmissable. I took his word for it and went. I loved it and have seen it twice more since. Truly a show that will stay in my heart. Not all that keen on one act shows though - if I am travelling over 2 hours by train to get to London, I want the full 3 hours in the theatre!

I love this video! So so so true! You mentioned running costs - people need to remember that some shows have massive backstage departments (Billy Elliot had 10 dressers and then swing dressers, plus chaperones... etc. etc). &Juliet has the heaviest grid that The Shaftesbury has ever had, so the grid had to be reinforced. Also, with the flying, there are many diverts etc. Then you get to the floor, and the lifts, revolves etc. Everything needs to be professionally maintained. Mary Poppins has performer flying - which ventures over the audience - the costs there are insane. Imagine the insurance costs for that?... Ah, the mirror ball over the audience in the Johannesburg run of Priscilla fell during a performance and one person ended up in hospital - court case - polystyrene apparently rotten. Hired sound, lights, AV - and sometimes LED screens. What is now known as The Lyric on Broadway (home to Harry Potter) decreased the audience capacity in order to reduce costs. So many shows managed to keep casts, or indeed leads, from pre-pandemic. Cast changes are helluva expensive. Hiring a rehearsal space for a few weeks, new costumes or refitted ones. Paying that cast for rehearsals. Rehearsal sets etc. Older shows needing new sets. I remember a number of years ago when it made it to the news how The Mousetrap was getting a new set, so it would be running for years. Which then asks the question of how to make shows cheaper to keep running? Are the days of massive mega-musicals then over? How will the costs of large child casts be managed? Will it be years before Oliver! returns? More adult casts playing kids? Anyhow, thanks for an awesome vlog!... but where does this subject end?

I believe also the theatre community does not know how to promote or market a show. I barely see influencers getting paid to promote shows. And that’s the new way of marketing. I believe the theatre is very stuck in the past and not adapting to the new ways of marketing that actually work.

I absolutely cannot get over the closing of The Prince of Egypt 😢😢😢

Hey Mickey Jo! Just wondering - during the pandemic a few theatres got into streaming and a) some disabled folks actually had options, b) folks a bit further away (whether in the same country or another) could see a show that they normally couldn't consider and c) I know folks who watched stuff just to support theatres. Post-lockdown they all seem to have stopped. What are your thoughts on regular streaming in the West End and beyond to address some of the points you mentioned?

I studied Women in Black for GCSE drama and did my exam on it. It is such a clever play and very simple yet effective. I love the fact when I saw it in London, there was a school group and the was chatty and noisy and the moment it got scary they all shout up.

As a box office professional, I can vouch for the unwillingness to buy ahead (no refunds) (will I still be living in this town) (can I travel there now?); I booked several groups this week for our venue that will not commit/pay up until much closer to their dates than we usually allow. School groups don't have the budget even at heavily discounted student rates. Even after lockdown ended, we've still had to cancel shows because someone in the cast or crew tested positive and there weren't enough covers. Personally, my response to many of these announcements is FINALLY. Good lord, where are the new shows? Uh oh, there's no place for them to go. When a show becomes an industry, isn't it more like a theme park and isn't that what Vegas is for?

I'm normally a very advanced ticket buyer (at least 6 months for west end shows and currently have something booked for 2024 at my local theatre) but with the many weekend train strikes and the train being the only practical way for me to get to London I'm not booking them to lose money when I can't guarantee I'll get to go. It makes me upset that I won't get to see as many shows this year but it's not worth the risk at the moment

MickeyJo, I am a US citizen who has just moved to Spain - and am a massive theatre lover. I began watching your reviews and comments when I started traveling to Europe many years ago. You began as interesting and have brought so much depth and insight into your videos that you are now fantasmical (i.e. no word can describe - unless that is now a word). You are now my go to person for news of Westend shows I can go to more easily than going to Broadway. Give me a few years and I'll know London theatre like I know Broadway as long as you're my guide and mentor. Loves

I think the main problem is the price of tickets. Although I love theatre, none of my friends can afford or justify spending £80 - £120 for 2 hours entertainment.

Side note - & Juliet opens in Melbourne in a few months, so you can tell the UK fans to pop over or at least be comforted that it's continuing on Broadway and over here!

The Music Man is still the largest grossing show per performance in the history of Broadway. The cast is simply exhausted Most have had Covid multiple times and including the pandemic many have given well over two years of their life to the project.

2:22 a ghost story is intent on playing in every west end theatre

It seems like if you're not Six Lion King Hamilton Wicked or Les Mis you're not safe 😂

I find it interesting that you say post pandemic in the past tense, we are still very much dealing with the pandemic and I understand customers not wanting to book until the last minute in case they come down with COVID and their ticket provider won’t allow exchanging.

January closures on Broadway also allow enough time for the production to get out, theatre to get a clean and new show to open in time for Tony Awards.....

The conversation around advance ticket sales is always an interesting one for me. Where I live in Adelaide Australia we have always had a late ticket buying culture. It always makes music artists especially scared to come here but regardless we still have the second biggest fringe festival in the world. It scares all of the artists how little tickets are bought until the week and even day of the performance. It's very had to change buying habits once they are in place for a while.

Okay this is not about the closures but can we PLEASE have some details on how you get that amazing fringe curl?

In regards to the ticket sales trend we've noticed this on the amateur level as well.

Thank you for making a much needed insightful video!

I'm so glad you put this video together - I did think this when I saw Dear Evan Hansen closing in London!

It’s been announced today that Mrs doubtfire will open in west end from May 2023 at the Shaftesbury theatre

congrats on 40k!! could you do an overview of your faves of what's available at the moment? so we know what to think about booking xx

I think advance ticket sales are down because shows are so expensive. But on the day they’re super cheap. Sister Act had tickets going for £200 plus. Madness

It's such a shame about Women In Black, I think it's got some of the most underrated, creative lighting designs on the West End. It's a great, classic ghost story too. It's not just theatre feeling the effects. My boyfriend is a classical musician and that industry has also been struggling :( Will you go and review Death Drop 2 at the Garrick Theatre? I saw it recently and despite not knowing much about Drag Race, LOVED it!

I’ve rarely bought tickets early to a show. It’s always been lottery or last minute (granted I’ve lived in NY for several years and now live in London so it’s easy to see a performance). But similarly, everyone I know in my age group (20s-30s) buys rush, lottery, or last-minute because you don’t always know if you’ll be free a specific evening.

I think it is partially that they have out priced themselves, they have become soooooo expensive. As a theatre lover even the non west end I.e. the kiln etc is overpriced. I understand there are costs involved in putting the show on, however the cost to the customer is great. not only the cost of the ticket but hotel and perhaps dinner and babysitter. It becomes astronomical. I go often to the national because is is more affordable.

Yea have to agree - another theatre goer in Manchester, can’t wait to get back to London but the train strikes and prices just mean it’s not really feasible / reliable way for me to go at the moment x

I’ve had to miss out on London shows because of the train strikes and the increasingly limited days when trains are available. Today I went to Hope Mill Theatre and saw Rogers and Hammerstein Cinderella. It was amazing - Micky Jo you need to see this show which knocks spots off the ALW version.

I can't stop taking a look at the Belle plushie behind you 😍😂 I have mine too

Odd to see a lot of people blaming tube and train strikes. As a London dweller this really only affected one week and the odd day here and there. Way more to it than that. It's a combo of factors..some shows like DEH and Woman in Black have been playing for years and I think they may have exhausted the market especially when you take into account the fact of rising costs and the cost of livng worries

Seen come from away and &juliet but I'm in the middle of booking a big theatre trip for the first week of January to close all the closing shows! Just added woman in black to the list haha

The current train strikes are affecting my decision to book show tickets. I wouldn’t get my theatre ticket price back if a strike was called.

Eurgh. Come from away still gets me. I recommended it to so many people including non-theatre people. I’m going to try and go again before it closes. At least a filmed version of it is available.

The quickly rattled off, "It's cold. It's dark. It's not Christmas anymore, and we're sad," cracked me up.

Placing my bet on Operation Mincemeat replacing The Woman in Black at the Fortune Theatre!

I went to see Yeoman of the Guard at the Coliseum recently, and the strikes I think affected that performance. It was a Saturday matinee, and last year for HMS Pinafore it was packed out for the same performance. The YotG performance was underpopulated enough that my father and I were moved from the Balcony to the Dress Circle! This will always partially be because Pinafore is a bigger Opera, but I think the rail strikes that day must have massively affected who felt like going.

I am German, traveling to the U.K. for musicals rather frequently. In my point of view, I would add / stronger emphasize two thing: 1. Poor Marketing: too many producers are not good managers. They are great creatives. If you say that for example "Come From Away" is not well-explained to visitors (which I would agree to), than it is a slap in the face for the producers and managers. There are too many musicals where I have no idea what I am getting back for my money. Part of that issue is how much the industry is still struggling with social media. If you liked, you could easily present your shows in two minute tiktoks or three minute RU-vid videos. For the current environment it is too long, the excerpts are short. Finally, I get a jukebox musical in two second snippets, but not an "unknown" thing 2. Costs: you are much more the expert there, but I feel that Harry Potter did very bad for the development of the musical especially. This show told you that it is fine to pay two nights of potentially several hundred pounds for one musical show. Before that, Disney did it at least just for a one-night show. Harry Potter and the really big shows may demand that and people pay it. But it also raises the bar for the "smaller" productions. On top of that there are rising travel costs (and uncertainties, somebody mentioned the train situation below), a potential need for a hotel (the prices are nuts in peak times now). Touring shows are cheaper, but less known to visitors. In all that "It is more difficult to do a trip to London including one or two musical" things for foreigners is of course the Brexit as well. A very special German thought is: German actors are rather poor, compared to British ones. German ticket prices are insane if you compare it to the quality you get at the West End or U.K. touring shows. I am not sure how this is alike in other European markets. I could imagine that people see a musical here and get tired of it. They don't expect the quality to be so much better in your country, so that they are not willing to pay for it.

This is the same with all ticketed entertainment. We had the same issue with our music festival this year.

I'm sure this wouldn't be a realistic option with the cost of keeping up the venue or people on contract, but with our "unprescedented times" and all, it's a shame that theatres can't just...pause more shows during the slow season instead of shutting down. Like just having theatre run during the busy half of the year instead of shutting down because they know they can't make it through slow season.

Dublin has taken over as a place to go for shows, music etc etc theatres are full every night indeed the mousetrap ended recently and could have gone in for another few weeks . Meanwhile Robbie Williams, Rod Stewart , Bob Dylan perform down the road ! A lot of money in Dublin !

Heathers just announced it's opening in Argentina next July and I bought tickets for it the day they came out, it's the most advanced I've ever bought tickets for a show

Having just returned from my first trip to London where I went to five live shows over six nights, I am not really surprised that some shows are closing. When walking through the West End, i was completely astounded by the number of live shows on at the same time. How wonderful but untenable. I couldn't believe they were all making money, particularly as it was the beginning of November and not the peak of the tourist season. A couple of things that did get my critical attention was the state of some of the theatres: at Harold Pinter Theatre, I was seated behind a pole; at the Vaudeville Theatre, patrons were only admitted 15mins prior to the show and the stalls had only one entrance, as the back of the seats were not numbered it created a crush point due to patrons heading down the wrong aisle and got me thinking if there had been a fire, where were the exits?; at the London Theatre, I had to sit on a booster seat because the slope of the rows did not allow me to see over the tall person in front of me. I wish all the cast and crew well but from where I live shows are only on for a limited period before moving on, if viable enough they will get an extended season or repeat run.

If they close "The Mousetrap" then I'll really be gobsmacked.

I wonder if alienating a large portion of society for political reasons have repercussions

I live about 4 hiurs from London by train, me going to see a WE show just isn't gonna happen. This week I booked to see the tour of six for next summer, the availability was incredibly low so we booked, I will be masking up and avoiding people beforehand, I can not wait but it's still feeling weird to have to book so early in such hard times.

Before Covid I was a pre-planner and always had shows booked up to a year in advance. Last year we sold our (London-adjacent) house and moved to rural Scotland. My theatre trips are now limited to times I’m visiting London or my nearest city, or NT Live streams at local cinema. Wonder whether others are in similar circumstances.

I remember Chicago closed on the west end in the UK in January Guessing because CFW was coming to Phoenix theatre Still need to see &Juliet

How did the algorithm know I would like this? 🤷🏾‍♂️ Well, I do! ❤️

Given everything the industry has been through and is to some extent still going through I'm honestly not surprised. Theatre audiences have far from recoverwd and the costs have risen significantly. A lot if creatives have left the industry to persue regular office type work as the industry is just no longer able to support them. The industry as a whole is a shell if what it once was and it has a long way to recover from rona.

They decided to put bad actors in shows like they do on bbc, I always check to see the actor cast, then decide not to book.

Why go to west end when the majority of the off west theatres are putting far better productions at cheaper prices there is still outstanding regional theatre to go to. The last west show seemed more intent in selling drinks and allowing the audience to join in with the singing paying £90 to watch the audience join in is not part of the ticket price 😂

To be honest I hardly go to London to see theatre, I'm seeing Hamilton soon but only because it was the last cheap seat left!! Prices are just too high to warrant repeated trips, and as such I much prefer regional theatre. I travel to London by coach which is my personal preference. Ticket prices are just so expensive!!

I think I always knew Waitress was a short term show but it still surprised me that it ended in both NY and the UK. It's pretty well liked and seemed to be sold out when it went on tour around England. I really hope there'll be a film adaptation or recording in the future

I'm sorry I was distracted by your hair. It's perfect.

Hey! Love your videos. Could you do a video explaining why matinee performances are never as big of a hoot??

I'm surprised that Come From Away didn't get a boost having had a performance shown as part of the 9/11 Anniversary.

I’m sad that DEH closed and CFA in January 2023, I’m hoping they will both tour, I also hope &Juliet tours 🤞🏻🤞🏻I’m hoping that Beetlejuice comes across the pond next year 🤞🏻🤞🏻

Doesn’t The Women in Black have little to no running costs? A cast of 3, a handful of other for stagehand, lighting, sound?

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular could be in jeopardy for future seasons after its 2021 season was prematurely halted with two weeks left to go due to a coronavirus outbreak among the show’s cast members.

There's a rumour that there's an and Juliet UK tour

Omg The Woman in Black??!! Nooooooooooo 💔

the Majestic Theatre on Broadway holds around 1,700 people there are some off Broadway theatres that hold double that number or more example the Wang theatre in Boston Holds 3,600 and there are smaller more intimate theatres like Dorchester's historic Strand Theatre the longest running Ballet Company seasonal performance of the Nutcracker is Boston's dating back to Nov 1963 there are two Boston theatres in which its performed each Christmas season the Strand is one and the other is either the wang or Boston Opera House

Hi I love you’re videos I was wondering if you can do a video of you’re thoughts of for the new revival of the sound of music and who you think might play Maria

I'm Still upset about Cinderella closing in the west end

Closures are part of theatrical life* but seeing so many millennial fan-faves close in such a short space of time is frustrating. Why should Jersey Boys stay open instead of Get Up Stand Up? Why should Pretty Woman stay open instead of & Juliet? * - It seems like the 2023 Olivier Awards for Best New Musical will be dominated by musicals that opened in smaller venues (Bonnie and Clyde, Tammy Faye, Mandela) and/or outside Central London (Operation Mincemeat, Newsies). I don't think the large theatres had a single new musical in this season. With Bonnie and Clyde and Operation Mincemeat (and possibly Tammy Faye) transferring to the West End next year, that means the 2023/24 season will also be dominated by the 2023 Olivier Competitiors. With this making it harder for new West End musicals, show closures are not necessarily a bad thing.

I could definitely see Almeida Spring Awakening or Tammy Faye moving in after Woman In Black.

Why did you say the tour if a thing goes was cancelled?? It ran all the dates with Kerry Ellis and finished up in the Barbican as planned?? I hadn't heard anything about another tour?? My fair lady played to packed houses in Dublin recently too. Perhaps the tour casting helped with ticket sales.

Come from away was last show at West End have seen before the plage and i was meh about it. More vibe i feel from people around then what was happen at stage..

Let's be honest, the West end is all about what can sell for a "I know that, so I'll buy that" where as Broadway they go to the theatre because that is part of there culture

Phantom in London and NYC replaced Christine Daae with a woke casting... Then after 36 years, it goes down in ticket sales... Coincidence?

Please can you look down the camera lens rather than watching yourself in the view finder, it would make for a far better viewing experience for the audience. Cheers.

I was a regular to NY theatre pre-pandemic. During the pandemic I realized that the shows simply were not worth the money and hassle of coming into NY. Tickets are way too high and parking and tolls and traffic. Streaming TV I discovered has better writing and is more varied. Most musicals now are just HOW MUCH FLASH CAN WE DO. And are boring as is Moulin Rouge . Straight plays are overwritten and often dull as well. I'll support my local groups but not the big guys any longer unless it's truly something I feel I need to see.

I went to see Upstart Crow in London recently and the queues were round the block. It was good. Shows may also close before Xmas to make may for Xmas shows. Woman in Black has been on a long time. Those who want to see it have probably seen it. People have less money to spend and are probably being more selective.

The train strikes have put me off recently, too much of a risk to book in advance 😪

Having said all that Totoro is killing it! And price is £100+!

How interesting, tbh I didn't like any of the shows which are closing in London- I couldn't go back to sit through them again... I did get a whiff Phantom in NYC was in trouble as it was the only big show which had tickets for like $40! Hope the London shows stays here I love it!

You guys over the pond , there are many new shows opening in nyc , but it seems that Broadway and nyc has lost steam. Corona still has taken its toll , crime and inflation. Bah humbug. Yes. U r right, things have changed 🥺🥺

I saw "& Juliet" in London back in June, and the theatre was barely at 50% capacity. I must honestly say I didn't enjoy the musical at all - performances were good, but I thought the material was crap and badly written. And drunken teenaged girls in the audience singing, dancing and talking at the tops of their voices throughout was not appreciated at all.

Theme parks, football stadiums, and airplanes are packed, and the general public seems to be largely over it. For the theater, it's not so much fear of getting sick as it is frustration with vague/lingering mask rules, passes, etc., that the theater community seemed to enthusiastically embrace and are reluctant to let go. Things won't change until the general public feels secure that they can just buy a ticket, be admitted without producing various papers, and enjoy the performance without breathing through fabric or paper.

I thought 2.22 was awful. Quite boring, completely not spooky or scary. Woman in Black is far superior. I think Come From Away would work FAR better in a smaller venue. The Donmar - or maybe The Fortune after WIB closes?

The pandemic still going on people out still die in alarming numbers. People stoped give a tuna fish sandwich back in March.

Was really sad to see Dear Evan Hansen.

Please put Totoro back. I like looking at him.

I think a big part of ticket sales taking a dive is due to politics tbh. The entertainment industry as a whole, particularly in theater is pretty far left. They've been incredibly vocal about how they feel about anyone that disagrees politically. A lot of actors/actresses talked down to a huge part of their audience, and it turned a lot of people off. I've been a huge theater person my whole life, but I have no interest in seeing a show when I know the cast has made it crystal clear how they feel about me.

Unpopular opinion - did not like come from away at all. I can see how an American audience would resonate with the show 100% however I found the accents confusing and did not enjoy 😊

I wonder why a strange loop is closing, I heard that show is making a lot of money

MJ? Michel Jackson Mary Jane ? Mj so vague a tittle.

Hey, US citizen here! First of all I love your channel. Funny you made this video because I recently made this post on Facebook with my opinions “The truth why the live arts community (Mainly commercial & professional) is suffering (Shows closing, empty houses) is because the community did this to themselves. They were a part of the large group of people who scared everyone, and even continue to do this today. What do you suspect when you don’t allow long-time supporters to come any longer because they didn’t have a Vax card, held up signs about masking, and policed the patrons like they were in prison. I remember going back to the theater the first time and having crazy anxiety, not because I was around a large crowd, but because of all the rules that were supposed to “protect” us. So STOP blaming the pandemic, blame yourselves!”

As far as the content of shows - there are very few original musicals with original music and an original story. Kudos to the very few shows that are truly original that magically can get produced. “ A Strange Loop” is a show we should be talking about more just because of the powerful producers behind it because normally shows that are completely original with unknown actors does not get the kind of opportunities & recognition - so let’s talk about this unicorn of a show. Even before covid it has become very difficult for new composers & writers to even get a chance. The Industry keeps recycling jukebox musicals & turning movies into musicals the majority of which have subpar scores, however there are some exceptions. The Industry is not really supporting the future Stephen Sondheims or Jonathan Larsons of the world for the most part. As far as performers go I understand Hugh Jackman & Lea Michele’s celebrity names can sell tickets over a lesser known actor in a revival and they are absolutely incredible performers who are cast well for those roles but honestly in pre covid times I would’ve rather paid less money for a ticket and seen an unknown Broadway performer become a rising star. I do appreciate some of the celebrities being cast in revivals but honestly I’d rather watch Barbara Streisand in the movie “Funny Girl” & I would rather see Hugh Jackman in something original. Why pay for outrageous ticket prices if there is a movie version of the show available & I can watch that for much less money & zero risk of covid. I love live theater but there was much to be said about the type of shows being produced even before 2020. Produce new original stories that haven’t been told before with new original music where the lead characters have an arc you can root for and songs that are memorable & meaningful. Have mask mandates for audiences and staff to keep people safe, invest in better air filtration for indoor venues and give unknown actors the chance and charge reasonable ticket prices because $2500 for a ticket to see any celebrity in a revival no matter how talented that celebrity may be is not going to keep audiences in seats. But most of all make seeing theater safe again. Theater was doing really well until mask mandates were dropped which caused Covid numbers to rise.

I don’t think anything is closing

For the majority of my life I performed in theatre on levels from professional theater, tours, to community theater. Theatre is my passion & my entire life revolved around it for over 30 years as an audience member & a performer. AI love theater and seeing theater was my absolute favorite thing to do. I’m autoimmune which has made me have to turn my focus away from performing but I still enjoyed going to the theatre as an audience member. Covid is not over. Taking mask mandates away from audiences and staff is the absolute worse thing for everyone involved in theater. Actors can’t wear masks for their jobs & some musicians can’t but everyone else who works in any way in a theater and audiences should be masked as covid is airborne. Covid doesn’t care whether it is Hugh Jackman, Lea Michele or a chorus member, a backstage dresser, usher or audience members. Covid is not mild & getting repeat cases of can damage organs & long covid is a mass disabling event. In America we do not have free healthcare so good luck if you get long covid and can’t work anymore. It simply isn’t worth it to sit a theater where the audiences are maskless and there have been no measures taken to improve air ventilation. I am happy to pay for Broadway HD or other subscriptions to watch theater performances that were taped live or movie versions as well as taped concert performances. Inflation is not helping for ticket prices either but Covid is absolutely the biggest reason that I would be afraid to perform as well as be an audience member. We know now the vaccines do not prevent you from getting covid as we all hoped. It may prevent you from dying but we all hoped the vaccines we’re supposed to prevent getting sick. Since people are getting sick with breakthrough cases being a common theme - masks are needed in all public indoor spaces. Taking away the mask mandates is going to spread covid more than it would’ve so going into any theater without mask mandates for everyone except performers doesn’t make sense. The Industry was shut down for over a year & now without mask mandates & taking the approach of treating covid like the song “we don’t talk about Bruno” is going to hurt audience members health who have been exposed and everyone who works in any capacity both backstage & onstage and especially staff in the front of house like ushers, merchandise staff, concessions & box office as well as members of the orchestra and administrative staff involved in productions. Keeping mask mandates for anyone not performing would’ve made it a safer & less riskier experience. It is simply not worth risking getting covid sitting with hundreds of maskless people for a few hours when the consequences are facing long covid and medical debt because of it.