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Will audiences at shows, concerts, and other indoor events soon choose to attend specific shows that require masks as a COVID-19 safety protocol?
That’s the question some in the entertainment industry are asking, given that the producers of Broadway’s adaptation of the novel of the same name, “The Kite Runner,” announced that masks will be mandatory for all Friday night shows starting in August. 19. Attendees will have the option of not wearing masks for the remainder of the week.
In fact, the show, which was initially optional to all performances when it opened last month, has now opted for a hybrid approach.
“We said, ‘Let’s give it a try,'” producer Victoria Long said, adding that the initial reaction from ticket buyers was positive.
The Broadway League, the industry’s trade group, had a mask requirement for all shows in June, but began adjusting that policy in July to give productions the option to wear masks. Most shows have since dropped the mask requirement.
Likewise, most other entertainment venues across the country no longer require shelter.
Lang said the idea of a hybrid approach came to her mind when she heard about theatergoers who wanted to attend the show, but hesitated for fear of contracting COVID-19 in a room full of people not wearing masks. So she decided to give these people a weekly show that made them feel safe.
Long said she believes other Broadway productions may follow her example. Officials at Broadway League declined to comment for this story.
Mike Rafael, a veteran Broadway ticketing consultant, said the industry will be watching the results of Lang’s experiment closely.
Rafael added that if the idea is successful, he could also see it spread to other arts and entertainment venues and productions. A one-size-fits-all approach to covering may no longer be ideal, especially as we head into the busy fall cultural season, he said.
“We need to develop a broader toolbox that’s less blunt,” he said.
Although the number of COVID-19 cases has declined since the peak of the pandemic, there are concerns that the number of cases may rise, especially the easily transmissible variant of omicron BA.5, which is What may have infected President Joe Biden recent.
Still, some Broadway pros pointed to booming box office business for many productions and adopted a no-mask policy.Among these shows, the perennial favorites “Hamilton” and Tony Award-winning newcomer “MJ”, About the life of pop star Michael Jackson. Both “Hamilton” and “MJ” had plenty of room for audiences over the past week, according to sales figures reported by the Broadway League.
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