In New York, Broadway comes back to life with the return of its great musicals

The Lion has been living again since last night. It had been almost a year and a half since the big day crowds had obscured the sidewalks of Broadway, right in the middle of New York.

,

,

, the major musicals of the moment made their comeback on Tuesday, showing in historic addresses in central Manhattan. Deserted since the sudden outbreak of the coronavirus in the United States, 18 months ago, these blockbusters of the stage have been full on the occasion of the return to business of the most prestigious theaters in the city. The climax while fanfare of a gradual reopening of places of culture orchestrated since the beginning of the month in New York City.

Read alsoEnd stop for the musical

on Broadway

"It's a big night for the return from New York City"

, said Bill de Blasio triumphantly. The mayor of the megalopolis can relish. Despite the epidemic surge caused in the United States and around the world by the Delta variant of Covid-19, the last sectors of culture are reopening in New York. The day before, the MET gala, the social event that had bypassed its 2020 edition, took place without a hitch or accident on Monday evening, bringing a cohort of stars and their procession of glamor and dreams back to the city. In Times Square, the return of Broadway is also symbolized by the reopening of the kiosk on Tuesday, which allows you to buy tickets the same day and hope for some discounts on the price of seats. A generally significant affair, a ticket exceeding on average the 100 dollars.

The expensive entry to the shows, however, did not dissuade the big day crowds from flocking to the hall and, above all, to the kiosk and its coveted tickets.

Coming with her daughter from Boston, Jenni Milanoski has been in line since 5:30 am Tuesday morning to hope to buy an entry for

, at the Richard Rodgers theater, near Times Square.

, she told AFP.

On the Broadway.com website,

and

sold out on Wednesday.

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Vaccination obligation

However, the return to normal Broadway programming is being organized in strict compliance with health and, above all, vaccine conditions. All spectators therefore have the obligation to be vaccinated, like artists, technicians and all staff. Spectators must also wear a mask during the performance. “

, said Angela Mecca, 65, from the upstate for AFP. from New York.

, ”she added.

Read alsoVaccines and masks will be mandatory for the reopening of Broadway

Broadway was generating around $ 33 million in revenue per week from 31 shows before Covid-19 shut down this New York cultural lung.

While the pandemic has killed some 34,000 people in the cultural and economic capital of the United States, the resumption of performances comes as the city still suffers from a huge shortage of tourists, especially foreigners, who normally make up two-thirds of the public. of Broadway.

Despite everything, the producers say they are optimistic, convinced that the theaters will be full thanks to New Yorkers and American tourists.

,

for her part last week to AFP Sue Frost, one of the producers of the musical.

. For its resumption, on September 21, the play, which evokes the attacks of September 11, 2001, is also sold out.