@musika_bandSunday, 05 November 2020
Caissie Levy as "Elsa" and Patti Murin as "Anna" take their opening night curtain call of Disney's new hit musical "Frozen" on Broadway at The St. James Theatre on March 22, 2018 in New York City.
The big-budget musical Frozen will not reopen when Broadway theaters restart, marking the first time an established show has been felled by the coronavirus pandemic. The Disney show opened in March 2018 and placed among the top five Broadway productions for both gross and attendance over both years it ran, often pulling in over $1 million, and even $2 million a week.
Until now, only shows that were waiting to officially open have announced postponements or cancellations. Disney still has the long-running The Lion King and Aladdin on Broadway and five productions of Frozen worldwide. Citing the "global pandemic" Thomas Schumacher, president and producer of Disney Theatrical Productions, said Thursday (May 14) that running three Disney shows on Broadway was "untenable".
Caissie Levy, who originated the role of Elsa on Broadway, tweeted that the news was a "heartbreak" adding "We will always be a family. Sending love to all the devoted fans of our beautiful show". Actors’ Equity Association, which represents 51,000 actors and stage managers, reacted with dismay to the news and urged New York and national politicians to rescue the arts sector. Mary McColl, the executive director, called it an “all-hands-on-deck moment” for the governor, mayor, and members of Congress.
