April is a bustling time on Broadway as the cutoff for Tony Award eligibility approaches at the end of the month, with this year being April 25. There is a frenzy of new shows opening in a nine-day final stretch beginning April 17, with 12 red carpets, curtain call speeches, after-parties, and publicity events. The theater world does not have a festival circuit like film does, so shows must fight for individual attention to draw crowds, earn good reviews, and keep audiences engaged beyond the Tonys.
The industry is still recovering from the pandemic, trying to regain pre-lockdown audiences and keep them engaged. Opening Season on Broadway will be glitzier, stuntier, and more celebratory than ever as a result. Journalists and critics covering New York theater are rushing around Midtown Manhattan attending events and trying to capture the magic that spills off the stages during this hectic time. The goal is to provide a sense of what Broadway is like for its casts, crews, fans, and celebrities during this maniacal but magical season.
As someone who has been covering New York theater for four seasons, the author notes that they have never seen a frenzy of new shows like the one happening this year. Each show must compete for attention, crowd-drawing power, and critical reviews to survive beyond the Tony Awards. The author will be juggling multiple tasks during Opening Season, including attending events, reviewing productions, and managing an unrelated day job, armed with a phone, notebook, and press passes to provide insight into Broadway during this exciting and challenging time.
With no festival circuit for shows to build up goodwill on their way to their Broadway premiere, the theater world faces the unique challenge of capturing audience attention solely through previews, tryouts, and the whirlwind of activity leading up to the Tonys. The author highlights the ups and downs of this frenzy; while it brings a lot of attention to Broadway, it also means each show must fight for recognition and stay engaged with audiences long after the Tonys to ensure continued success in a competitive industry still recovering from the effects of the pandemic.
The author describes the commitment and excitement of covering Broadway during this hectic time, darting from one event to another in Midtown Manhattan to capture the energy and magic of each show’s opening. With a rotating set of press passes, the author aims to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the cast, crew, fans, and celebrity attendees during this special and exhilarating season on Broadway. Opening Season promises to be a glitzy and celebratory time for the industry as it works to recover from the challenges of the past year and keep audiences engaged in the vibrant world of theater.
