‘The Lion King,’ ‘Frozen: A Broadway Musical,’ and ‘Aladdin’ All Closed Due To Coronavirus in NYC
We never thought we’d see the day Disney friends! In and amongst the news that Disney would be temporarily suspending operations at all of its theme parks worldwide and cancelling Disney Cruise Line sailings throughout the rest of March, also came the news all of Broadway is going dark.
Yesterday the decision was made to shutter all of Disney’s Broadway theaters over mounting concerns over the rapid spread of the Coronavirus in New York City.
According to Playbill.com Broadway theatres went dark beginning at 5 PM, March 12, by order of Governor Andrew Cuomo. Performances are slated to resume the week of April 13.
The announcement comes as venues and performing arts organizations around New York City and the country have announced closures of their own amid rising concerns about the global coronavirus pandemic.
Disney currently has three hit musicals on Broadway. This includes:
Aladdin – New Amsterdam Theater, 214 W. 42nd Street
Frozen: A Broadway Musical – St James Theater – 244 W. 44th Street
The Lion King – Minskoff Theater – 1515 Broadway
“Our top priority has been and will continue to be the health and well-being of Broadway theatregoers and the thousands of people who work in the theatre industry every day, including actors, musicians, stagehands, ushers, and many other dedicated professionals,” said Charlotte St. Martin, President of the Broadway League, in a statement. “Broadway has the power to inspire, enrich and entertain, and together we are committed to making that vital spirit a reality. Once our stages are lit again, we will welcome fans back with open arms so that they can continue to experience the joy, heart, and goodwill that our shows so passionately express every night.”
The mass closures are a result of an announcement made during Governor Andrew Cuomo’s press conference yesterday that all gatherings of more than 500 people would be suspended in the state.
What if I have tickets to a performance during the shutdown? All ticket holders are being advised by Playbill.com to contact their point of purchase regarding refunds and exchanges.
Yesterday’s closure marks the first time that Broadway has gone dong for a lengthy period of time since 2007 when it shut down for 19 days during a strike by theater stagehands.
Readers are encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog for the latest news and updates!
