NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Declaring that "the show will go on," Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday announced a new vaccination effort to help get shots into the arms of theater workers as the city gets ready to raise the curtain on Broadway and off- Broadway shows in the fall.
"It's time to raise the curtain and bring Broadway back," de Blasio said as he laid the groundwork for a strong and safe "comeback." "Our theater community needs it... but our city needs it too, it's part of our identity."
The $15 billion industry is also vital to the city's recovery.
"We need it back on every level," de Blasio said.
Over the next four weeks, the city will be setting up dedicated vaccination sites specifically for the theater industry in the heart of the Theater District and will deploy mobile units to serve off- Broadway personnel.
The city is also planning to set up pop-up testing sites at and near theaters. Plans are also being developed for the city to actively engage in helping theaters manage crowds before and after shows.
"We'll do everything in our power to bring Broadway and off- Broadway back strong, but we need some help from the state of New York," de Blasio said. "I'm calling upon the state to please quickly issue clear guidance for theater workers in terms of mask usage, in terms of how we use proof of vaccination or proof of negative testing to help ensure that everyone can work and that crowds can come back in the fall."
Related
The mayor notes the city needs a clear delineation on how to keep workers and performers safe, as well as a clear approach for identifying spectators who have been vaccinated.
The mayor said these tools are necessary to bring the theater industry back, but can only be put into action by the state.
"We need the state to do this, if for any reason the state isn't, we'll propose our own ideas to the state because it's important to get this right," de Blasio said. "There's a long lead time for Broadway shows to come back and this is why it's so important to be talking about this today in March looking ahead to September."
De Blasio said city and state officials will work closely with the unions who represent the theater community on reopening plans.
"To put together a Broadway show is a huge endeavor and we've talked to a lot of folks in the Broadway community and they say time is the most important factor. They need guidance now so they can be back in force in the fall helping to spark and lead the comeback of New York City," the mayor said.
Broadway actor André De Shields joined the mayor's briefing virtually and said, "We're ready, we stayed in shape, our voices are strong, all we need is a stage."
LISTEN NOW on the RADIO.COM App
Follow WCBS Newsradio 880
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram