DETROIT (WWJ) -- Live theatre is returning to Detroit next month after more than a year on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Broadway in Detroit began selling tickets this week for a full slate of shows this fall and winter at the Fisher Theatre, Detroit Opera House and Music Hall.
The company has COVID-19 protocols in place for patrons as shows are slated to return, beginning with the “Rent” 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour on Oct. 19 at the Fisher Theatre.
All patrons will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the show date or proof of full COVID-19 vaccination before they will be admitted into the venue. All show-goers will also be required to wear a mask while inside the theatre, regardless of vaccination status. The protocols will also be in effect for Detroit Symphony Orchestra shows.
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Scott Meyers, with Broadway in Detroit, tells WWJ they spent a long time making sure they’re confident the shows will be safe.
“Many, many months on so many calls, so many Zoom meetings, so many conference calls talking about what the best practices are,” Meyers told WWJ. “And as we’ve seen across our industry, we’re following the lead of other broadway presenters and other broadway shows.”
While patrons who refuse to follow COVID-19 protocols may be asked to leave, without a refund, Meyers says there are a lot of things going on backstage, too:
“Protocols that these touring shows are doing, protocols that our staff is gonna be doing, protocols that we’re doing across the board to make sure that we can present live theatre again and avoid any kind of shutdown again,” he said.
“Rent” is scheduled to kick off the season next month, while other highlights of the schedule include “Pretty Woman: The Musical,” the play “What the Constitution Means to Me” and the award-winning “Hadestown,” which Meyers said he is most excited to see.
“I am really looking forward to Hadestown. Hadestown’s going to be a really great show -- they won the last Tony that was given out, and we’re one of the first cities in the country that are going to get to see the show on tour, which is very exciting,” Meyers said. “That’s top on my list, personally, but they’re all going to be great.”
A full schedule of shows can be found on the Broadway in Detroit website.