New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaking at a press conference in New York on March 30, 2020 (Photo … [+]
NurPhoto via Getty Images
As a new task force takes center stage to help boost the New York economy, Broadway has been banished to the balcony.
In a recent press conference, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the creation of an advisory board to help guide the government’s strategy to resurrect New York following the COVID-19 pandemic. Known as the New York Forward Re-Opening Advisory Board, the group includes over 100 “business, academic, community and civic leaders from across the state,” he confirmed.
In addition to university presidents, the council contains top executives from many of the leading financial institutions, real estate firms, hospitality groups, sports teams, and entertainment companies. James Dolan from the Madison Square Garden Company and Jane Rosenthal from Tribeca Enterprises, which organizes the Tribeca Film Festival, were chosen to join the group.
“This board includes many of our state’s most dynamic leaders, and I thank the Governor for his wisdom in putting together this diverse group,” commented Orinthia Montague, the president of Tompkins Cortland Community College.
But, despite selecting individuals from a wide range of industries and backgrounds, Governor Cuomo did not choose a single person from the Broadway community.
“I was shocked to see that Broadway didn’t have a seat at this important table, considering how our industry is not only an economic engine for the city and state, but it’s also an important symbol of the health of New York to the rest of our country and to the world,” stated producer Ken Davenport. Drawing millions of tourists from all over the world to New York, more people attended Broadway shows last season than the games of all professional sports teams in New York and New Jersey combined, contributing over $14.7 billion to the local economy and supporting about 96,900 jobs.
When data from touring productions are included, the numbers are much greater. “I think it is safe to say that this business provides millions of dollars in economic impact across all markets, and generates numerous local hires, including stagehands,” stated Albert Nocciolino of the upstate presenter NAC Entertainment. For example, one touring production of The Lion King pumped more than $14 million into the local economy when it launched in Syracuse two years ago.
Despite the large economic impact of Broadway in New York, Governor Cuomo has appeared to be at odds with the industry over the past few weeks.
When the Broadway League national trade association decided to extend its shutdown of shows through Sunday, June 7, Governor Cuomo dismissed the news. “I wouldn’t use what Broadway thinks as a barometer of anything unless they’re in the public health business and have seen better numbers and models,” he quipped.
Staying at home during the pandemic, “we barely see the sun these days, but even we know that’s a burn,” commented one writer.
However, Charlotte St. Martin, the president of the Broadway League, explained that the date was not tied to when Broadway shows would resume performances. “We said we were exchanging and refunding tickets up to June 7,” she confirmed, and “every couple of days our guesstimates go further out.” “It really depends on the elected officials, and we know very well that Governor Cuomo will be the one to tell us when we can come back,” St. Martin said.
According to the politician, Broadway might be one of the last industries to return.
In outlining his steps to reopen businesses in New York, Governor Cuomo warned that “you should make sure that you do not … open up a facility or an attraction that could bring people from outside the region to you.” “You have all this pent-up demand in the Tri-state region,” and business owners should “make sure that [they] don’t open up something that could bring hundreds of people from the outside in,” he said.
Last week, while putting together the advisory board, Governor Cuomo asked prolific producer Scott Rudin and theater owner James L. Nederlander to share their ideas for raising the curtain again on Broadway. But, while both professionals volunteered to help the government in any way that they can, the governor did not invite them to join his high-profile think tank in the room where it happens.
On the date when nominations for the Tony Awards were originally scheduled to be announced, it looks like Broadway as an industry was snubbed.