THE (BROADWAY) SHOW MUST GO ON, WE HOPE

 

Dear Theatergoing Friends

I don't think it was my imagination, I really don't.  It was starting to feel like Broadway Theater's comeback was just the ticket to bring back life to just about every one of us that enjoy life in NYC and the surrounding area.  And life to so many friends and clients we've worked with over the past 44 years or so throughout the country and around the world.  Our small business at Applause-Tickets.com was selling tickets to all the shows in town again, hardly skipping a beat.

My favorite part of selling tickets again was being able to talk with our friends and clients, catching up on their lives, their family and work lives as well.  Sure, we did some business again and most bought tickets for one show or another to celebrate going out once again to attend one of the fabulous Broadway Shows playing in New York City.  I had just been saying to my wife Celeste that the "Broadway comeback" was going really well but I guess I spoke too soon.

No sooner did I say those words, then I had heard that Radio City Christmas Spectacular was cancelling its Friday December 17,2021 performances.  All four of them.  Then an hour or so later, I heard that they were cancelling the remainder of the seasons schedule-60 performances or so I would think.  We had sold lots of tickets for this annual New York City attraction.  We are spending most of this weekend organizing and preparing for refunds to Applause-Tickets.com friends and clients. 

Then we had heard that a few Broadway shows were cancelling one or two of their performances on the weekend as well.  Mrs. Doubtfire, Tina the Musical, Jagged Little Pill, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hamilton, Ain't Too Proud, Hadestown, Moulin Rouge! and a few others had cancelled some shows as well.  So hopefully when these shows resume playing again in a few days, that'll be the end of it.  Wishful thinking on my part.  Even though I'm an optimist in general, I'm feeling quite uneasy about this Broadway comeback-at least for now.

Just earlier today we learned that Aladdin cancelled two performances today.  And Edie Falco's final performance in Morning Sun today was nixed also.  Oh well.  What can we do, right?

Not knowing what to expect for our little business as far as a "comeback" is concerned, as we look into the future (which is only this week right now), we are prepared to do whatever we have to, to comfort our friends and clients, make refunds for cancelled shows and get people into shows that are still playing.  Most of the shows have been unaffected so far.  Let's hope it stays that way.

Whether you buy your tickets from Applause-Tickets or from somewhere else, we hope you'll call on us with a question or an inquiry on possibly making a purchase for one of the fabulous Broadway Shows in New York City.

Please stay the course my friends and let us know if we can be of service to you or someone you know, with regards to attending a show, getting information on cancelled performances or just want to talk about theater or anything else for that matter.

Cheers to one and all and best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy and Healthy New Year.  Above all, please be careful and stay safe.  After all, that's really all that matters in the end.  Broadway Theatre will comeback full force eventually and without cancelled shows due to the virus.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post.  Call me personally anytime if you want to talk about Broadway or anything else.

Best Regards                                          

Rich Gladstone

President

Applause-Tickets.com

Phone 800-451-9930 or 212-307-7050

REFLECTIONS ON BROADWAY SHOW REOPENING'S

 

To my fellow Broadway Show fanatics,

 It’s so great that we can all attend live theatre again isn’t it?  I’ve seen six shows so far these last several weeks and have plans to see several more in January 2022 when our ticket selling business at Applause-Tickets begins migrating into its usual “off peak” season in New York’s Winter months.

 Broadway ticket sales surpassed $26 million dollars last week. Can you imagine that? And 83% of the seats were filled.  This is a small drop from the previous Thanksgiving Week but still fantastic numbers since Broadways official reopening in September.

 Although several of our friendly competitors closed their business during the pandemic, we decided to keep ours open. And we are sure glad we did. We are pleased to report that business is back and Applause-Tickets is on its way back to busy times. Like we haven’t seen in a very long time. Apparently our out of town business is starting to travel again and with a fervor I thought was long gone. Not only are people now purchasing higher priced seats, often “premium” category seating but they are buying two and three shows at a time. I guess there’s something to the concept of being a “pent up demand”.  I imagine most of us shut in these last 16 months or so would tend to agree with.

 My wife, Celeste (who has been a huge help with Applause-Tickets reopening) and I are planning to go and see Moulin Rouge!, Ain’t Too Proud, Mrs. Doubtfire, Tina the Musical, MJ, the Michael Jackson Musical, Plaza Suite, which starts in February and stars Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker, Company, Girl from the North Country, Six The Musical and Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster in The Music Man.  And I almost forgot, we are looking forward to seeing Funny Girl, the show that launched the career of Barbra Streisand. I feel like that’s gonna be a great one. And what about Billy Crystal returning to Broadway in Mr. Saturday night, a show written by Billy, who will star in it as well. How awesome is that?

 I may make a living being in the Broadway ticket selling business, but I actually still get a thrill walking through the theater district just before going in to see a show, often after having a great meal in one of the theater district restaurants.  Or a quick slice of pizza if we are rushed for time.  Maybe even two slices.  I love New York City and have the great pleasure of sharing my experiences with my out-of-town friends and clients. It’s so awesome. I’ve been very lucky to have this job for over 44 years now.

 Lastly, I would like to say thank you to all of Applause-Tickets wonderful friends and clients that have supported our business over the years. I wouldn’t be able to write this post if it weren’t for you helping us to achieve the level of success that we have.

 And a special “shout out” to our travel industry friends, who have also had a difficult time during this pandemic. We all seem to be on our way back to business in our “new normal”. I hope you'll consider using a travel agent to book your trips.  They are experts and can be so helpful when traveling to places you might not know too much about.

 We are thankful to have our health and to have the great privilege to attend live theater on Broadway once again.  Although things are clearly not the same as they have been for most of our lives, a simple thing like attending a live Broadway show or just about any other live entertainment event, helps bring us back to days gone by. Thank goodness for this.

 I sincerely appreciate you taking a moment to read this post.  If you want to talk about Broadway Theatre, please call me anytime.  I’d love to talk about New York Theatre, restaurants or even just things to do in The Big Apple.

 Cheers to Broadway’s triumphant return. And good luck to all of us. Enjoy your holidays and have a very Happy New Year.  And a healthy one. Stay safe friends.

 Best Regards,

Rich Gladstone

President

Applause-Tickets.com

212-307-7050

800-451-9930

BROADWAY, LONDON AND LAS VEGAS SHOWS BOUNCE BACK WITH MUCH NEEDED HELP FROM OUR TRAVEL AGENT FRIENDS

Please enjoy our "salute" to the travel agent and hospitality industry as Broadway Theater reopens as well as shows and events in London's West End and Las Vegas.

https://preview.mailerlite.com/k2l1e9/1820399082502363151/y2c1/

Please support your local travel agents as they do so much for the traveling public, day in and day out.

Regards

Rich Gladstone

President

Applause-Tickets.com

Phone 800-451-9930

'

Ready For Some Live Broadway Theatre?

 And just like that, when we last left off when the last Broadway shows played on March 11, 2019,  there are now more than 20 Broadway shows playing once again with the balance to begin performing in November and December. It’s already an exciting season. Many of the old standby shows are selling very well like Wicked, Chicago the Musical, The Lion King, Aladdin, Hadestown, Ain’t Too Proud, Dear Evan Hansen and some of the newcomers like Moulin Rouge, Tina the Musical, and Six the Musical are selling  in an off the chart fashion. 

Broadway shows have been reopening, one after the other since early September and from the looks of it, things are going very well. Personally, I’ve been to three shows myself and the crowds seem to be enjoying themselves like they always have.  Sure, patrons are asked to show proof of vaccination, identification and wear masks during all the performances but Broadway is not skipping a beat, not for even one moment.

And our small family business, Applause-Tickets.com has had the pleasure of serving the needs of the theater going public once again. Many of our friends and clients from the hotel and hospitality industry around the country have been calling us nonstop since early July now. We are getting busier and busier every day and are thrilled to be talking to these wonderful people once again.

 And some new shows are coming to Broadway. Diana the Musical, Mrs. Doubtfire and the return of a shortened version of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, originally a two-part production, now able to be seen in one sitting, are going to be settling into their theaters for open ended runs in the days ahead.  

Sitting in the theater and once again and witnessing the laughter and the joy of theatergoers is thrilling to say the least. I’m looking forward to going to see as many Broadway shows as I can this season.  How about you?

If you want to talk about any of the shows on Broadway or need any help with making plans to see one of the great shows, it would be my pleasure to assist you.

I hope you’ll consider calling Applause-Tickets at 212-307-7050 whenever your plans include a visit to see a Broadway show.  We are here for you to help you in any way we can to make sure your Broadway experience is a great one.

Bravo! To everyone associated with Broadway’s comeback. We are so glad to see you once again.

Sincerely 

Rich Gladstone

President

Applause-Tickets

NY NY

Phone 800-451-9930

212-307-7050

https://www.applause-tickets.com/

‘Six’ finally opens on Broadway

 

Photo credit: Joan Marcus

Rare is the girl-power show in which the characters died 500 years ago.

But that’s “Six,” the new musical about Henry VIII’s sextet of wronged wives that finally opened Sunday night on Broadway. It was a victorious moment for this upbeat, high-energy British import. The show was originally slated to open on March 12, 2020, but hours before the curtain went up, all theaters were shut down for what turned into an 18-month eternity. Now “Six” is back and vivacious as ever.

80 minutes, no intermission. At the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, 256 West 47th St.

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Updated Vaccine & Mask Requirements

Keeping you safe and informed is our top priority. The following health and safety protocols established by all Broadway theatres have implemented the following vaccine and mask requirements for all Broadway performances.

VACCINE REQUIREMENTS

All ticket holders must be fully vaccinated with an FDA or WHO authorized vaccine and must show proof of vaccination at their time of entry into the theatre with their valid ticket. 

The only exceptions are:

• guests under the age of 12, who must be accompanied by an adult that meets the vaccination requirements; or

• guests who need reasonable accommodations due to a medical exception or a sincerely held religious belief, must present proof of a negative COVID-19 test. (negative COVID-19 antigen test taken within 6 hours of the performance start time, or negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the performance start time.)

MASK USAGE

Masks are required to be worn properly at all times except while actively eating or drinking when seated.

QUESTIONS?

If you have purchased tickets through our service, feel free to call us with any questions at any time.

TRAVEL AGENTS

Travel Agents, please make sure that you call your clients and tell them of the new Broadway Theatre requirements.

Broadway Show Re-openings Are Growing Daily-More Than Twenty Shows Are Coming Back

I'm very pleased to say that it looks like a show or two announces its Broadway comeback every few days or so.  And the phone calls and email requests we are receiving at my ticket company Applause-Tickets on a daily basis, are building slowly but surely.

Although I don't think most shows are likely to bounce back to near full capacity in the near term as Broadway starts to reopen, it sure feels like over the next 6 months to a year or so, we may very well see a marked improvement in people coming back to see a live show in a Broadway theater.

Here's a current list of Broadway scheduled re-openings along with the dates of their restarting to play again to live audiences.  I hope you'll consider a call to my company www.applause-tickets.com whenever your plans include a visit to Broadway again.

If you need any assistance obtaining great seating options at reasonable prices for your friends, family or yourself, I hope you'll consider a call to Applause-Tickets.com today.

Here's a list of Broadway Show re-openings on the Applause-Tickets.com web site below

https://www.applause-tickets.com/broadway-theater.html

Welcome Back Broadway- we sure did miss you old friend.

Cheers and good luck to everyone associated with the Broadway Theater.

Rich Gladstone

President/ Applause-Tickets.com

NY NY

Phone 212-307-7050

Broadway's Tony Awards Is Set for September 26-2021

 I'm so excited.  After the closing of all Broadway Theatre on March 12, 2020 during the pandemic, The League of New York Theatres and Producers has selected a date to celebrate the outstanding achievement in the theatre for the 2019-2020 shortened Broadway season.  That date will be September 26-2021.

The Tony Awards will air once again on CBS from 9-11pm.  Prior to that, people can check out the first two hours being aired on the Paramount Plus streaming network.  Right now there's a free trial of this streaming service.  Their usual fee is 5.99 a month. 

The Tony Awards has been expanded this year from the usual 3 hours to 4 in 2021.  During the Paramount Plus start of the Tony Awards show, we will get to witness the bulk of the Tony Awards given out for acting, directing, choreography, lighting, costumes and other technical categories.

In CBS's final 2 hours, they will feature many recognizable Broadway performers and Tony Award winners in a kind of reunification concert.  These wonderful  entertainers will perform well-known classics celebrating everything that we've all come to love and enjoy about going to see live theater in our lifetime.  It's going to be awesome I'm sure.  In the evening's finale, they will be presenting the three most coveted awards-Best Musical, Best Play and Best Revival.

One of the great privilege's of attending several Tony Awards shows live at various New York theaters over the years, has been to witness so many recognizable performers in my lifetime, up close and personal.  To see their nominations and winning of Tony Awards live was thrilling for sure.

Since Broadway was shut down on March 12-2020, unfortunately 16 shows never got to play and/or open to critics reviews.  For the 2020 Broadway season, this Tony Awards night will feature only 18 plays and musicals down from 34 in 2019.  This year, Jagged Little Pill leads the field with 15 Tony Award nominations.  Moulin Rouge has 14 nominations and Tina has 12 nominations.  The Best Play category will feature 5 shows that include Slave Play, Sea Wall/A Life, The Sound Inside, The Inheritance and Grand Horizons.  Slave Play has received 12 nominations, the most ever for a play in Tony Awards history.

I know that I'm not alone in finding it difficult to contain my excitement to once again see the Tony Awards in 2021.  And of course attend some shows that I missed during the last season.  The Broadway shutdown has affected over 100,000 jobs in or relating to the Broadway Theatre in New York City.  The restarting of shows performing again this September 2021 will be a great shot in the arm (sorry about the vaccine pun) for so many of us.  My ticket selling business at Applause-Tickets.com is just starting to make its comeback the last few weeks.  Thank goodness.

The theater that will be used for this years Tony Awards hasn't been selected as of yet but shows that are nominated, will be able to perform on the telecast from their own theaters.  This will allow for the avoidance of overcrowding in the host theatre.

If I can ever be of service to you, your friends, business colleagues or your family, I hope you'll consider a call to me at 212-307-7050 or 800-451-9930 whenever your plans include seeing one of the fabulous Broadway Shows in New York City.

Cheers to the comeback of The Broadway Theater.

Rich Gladstone

President

Applause-Tickets

Phone 212-307-7050 /800-451-9930

The Nutcracker Ballet Returns To NYC This November 2021

New York City will welcome back the New York City Ballet production of The Nutcracker.  Performances will start on Friday November 26-2021 and continue straight thru to January 2-2022.  The great American ballet choreographer George Balanchine was the co-founder and artistic director of the New York City Ballet and his dance routines are still used today in this ballet.  Performances will take place at NYC's David H. Koch Theater in Lincoln Center.

The Nutcracker first premiered on February 2, 1954 with music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky.  The music was written in 1892.  The show is a perfect way to kickoff the holiday season.  I'm looking forward to taking my family this year, especially seeing as how it seems like life is beginning to return to normal.  What a treat it will be.

Being one of the most complex ballet's to take place on any stage, The Nutcracker has 90 dancers, 62 musicians, over 40 stagehands and more than 125 children performing.  Two rotating casts from the school of American Ballet will participate.

In addition, the costume's are stunning and the sets truly quite amazing.  Along with the intricate lighting and visual effects with a special mention to a one ton Christmas tree that grows from 12 feet to more than 40, audiences have been known to be in awe of what takes place on the stage.  Audiences that have never seen The Nutcracker Ballet will truly enjoy this unique performance.

I sincerely hope you enjoyed this post today.  If you need tickets to The Nutcracker Ballet, please consider a call to my company Applause-Tickets.com, located in NYC at 212-307-7050 or 800-451-9930.  We are open seven days a week to talk with you about Broadway Theater, Ballet, Opera, Sports or just about anything entertainment related.

Stay well

Rich Gladstone

Applause-Tickets.com

NY NY 

Broadway Shows That Are On Sale Now

Dear Friends

Broadway is making a roaring comeback.  With performances beginning in September, twenty shows have put tickets on sale now.  Hadestown is the latest to jump in front of all the others now.  It's going to begin playing to audiences starting September 2, 2021.

Here's a list of Broadway (and a few Off Broadway Shows) coming to a theater near you.

Shows are starting on Sept 2 (not all of them start this week) and more will be announced every few weeks.  Right now, here’s what we have on sale with the date of the first performance.  I’d love to assist.

Regards

Rich Gladstone

Applause-Tickets.com

Phone 212 307 7050

Web site www.applause-tickets.com

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The Housewives of Secaucus.  What A Drag!- Off Bwy May 29

Metamorphosis-Off Bwy June 3-July 30

Blindness-Off Bwy playing since April 2021

Hadestown Sep 2

Chicago Sep 14

Wicked Set 14

Hamilton Sep 14

The Lion King Sep 14

Six The Musical Sep 19

Come From Away Sep 21

Little Shop of Horrors-Off Bwy Sep 21

Moulin Rouge! Sep 24

Aladdin Sep 28

Tina Oct 8

Girl From The North Country Oct 13

The Play That Goes Wrong-Off Bwy Oct 15

Ain’t To Proud Oct 16

Mrs. Doubtfire Oct 21

Jagged Little Pill Oct 21

Phantom of the Opera Oct 22

Diana The Musical Nov 2

Jersey Boys-Off Bwy Nov 15

MJ (The Michael Jackson Musical) Dec 6

Dear Evan Hansen Dec 11

Company Dec 20

The Music Man Dec 20

To Kill A Mockingbird Jan 21

Netflix Limited Series "The Queen's Gambit" May Be Coming To Broadway

During the pandemic this past year, we have certainly watched more than our fair share of television series and movies in the Gladstone household.  Personally, I can't wait till my wife Celeste and I are in a Broadway Theater again.  Hopefully sooner rather than later.  I can imagine that I speak for lots of people these days. 

One of our favorite series that we watched was The Queen's Gambit.  In the Best Limited Series category, The Queen's Gambit won both the Golden Globe and Critic's Choice Awards.  The story tells of the amazing journey of a young orphaned girl named Beth Harmon, who not only learned the game of chess from the custodian of the home for girls where she lived- but she went from prodigy to become a world class chess champion.

Walter Tevis wrote the novel in 1983.  It was turned into a mini-series launched by Netflix in October 2020, The Queen's Gambit immediately became Netflix's most watched own "scripted" mini-series logging over 62 million viewers during the first month alone. That's incredible.

In the series, the main character's early life starts out in Kentucky and as Beth constantly develops an uncanny knack for studying the game of chess, we get to witness her beating all of the previous experts, one after the other.  First she travels all thru the Unites States then to Paris, Moscow and all over the world.  Although the story begins with us feeling so sorry for this young person's lot in life, we get to see her battle with overcoming an extremely difficult childhood including addiction as well as entering the practices and prejudices of a male-centered world.

Level Forward is the company that owns the rights to the story and is looking forward to bringing this fascinating story to the live stage at some point in the not too distant future.  It's a very good time to bring this particular story that deals with racial equality and gender struggles.  Allot to be learned from The Queen's Gambit.  If you have a chance, I highly recommend that you watch this amazing limited series.

Cheers and I look forward to attending live Broadway Theatre again in the not too distant future.

Sincerely

Rich Gladstone

President

Applause-Tickets.com

NY NY

Phone 212 307 7050

BROADWAY THEATERS TO PARTICIPATE IN NEW YORK POP-UP EVENTS STARTING APRIL 2, 2021

Exciting News. Starting April 2, 2021 a few Broadway theaters will participate in allowing small audiences to attend some non Bwy show type events after negative Covid tests as a means of helping the city to start to bring back Broadway.

Checkout this link below under LATEST BROADWAY UPDATE and click on the exciting article in the RED BOX

https://www.applause-tickets.com/broadway-theater.html 

Cheers

Rich Gladstone

President

Applause-Tickets.com

NY NY

Phone 212 307 7050

www.applause-tickets.com

BROADWAY THEATER-WORKING MY WAY BACK TO YOU

I always loved the song "I'm Working My Way Back To You", made popular in 1966 by The Four Seasons and also The Spinners in 1980.  Hence the title of my post today regarding the future of Broadway Theater reopening's this year.

So far, there are a handful of shows that are selling tickets, hopefully for performances beginning at the end of May 2021 (although I think it'll get pushed back somewhat).  Those shows include, Chicago The Musical, Hadestown, Jagged Little Pill, Jersey Boys (Off Broadway),The Music Man with Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster (coming in December 2021), Mrs. Doubtfire and The Play That Goes Wrong (another Off Broadway show).

In an effort to try and revive the entertainment life of New York City, Governor Cuomo and local authorities are allowing some large venues like Madison Square Garden and Barclay Center in Brooklyn to start selling tickets to a 10% capacity audience.  The NY Knicks and The NY Rangers as well as the Brooklyn Nets will start within days.  Along with a ticket of admission, which for sports will probably only allow for some season subscribers to attend before the general public, all attendees will need to present a negative Covid 19 test prior to entry.  

Theaters will be more complicated as they are very old and will require improved ventilation.  And of course, Broadway doesn't really want to reopen to 10% capacity as show producers will only lose lots of money.  Their cost of doing business requires at least 3/4 of the audience to be filled.  Otherwise the business model they have simply won't work.

It's worth noting that "testing" is the only way to safely reopen our entertainment venues.  We'll need to get used to this.  Luckily for us, I think we will see local and fast testing places popping up all over New York in the coming days and weeks ahead.

The Governor himself is on the record as recently saying he would attend a Broadway Show with 150 people in the theater if everyone tested negative.  Again, that will not sustain a Broadway Show profit wise unfortunately, although maybe a few wealthy producers might go along with this just a test the future viability regarding larger capacity possibilities in the months ahead.  I'm sure a show like "Hamilton" can afford this type of Broadway comeback test.  And how cool would it be to happen on July 4th weekend of 2021?  Awesome idea right?

Beginning on February 20 and following the successful test with January Buffalo Bills football games that allowed 6700 fans to be tested then attend playoff games, the Governor and his team have helped coordinate the "NYPopsUp" program.  The program can be found at 

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-marshals-return-performing-arts-new-york-ny-popsup

Over 300 entertainment events will be presented through the five boroughs as well as all over NY State.  The program is being designed to be a bridge to New York's safe return and entertainment comeback.  It sure makes sense to me.  How about you?  Exciting stuff my friends.

The events will be free of charge and take place over 100 days or so.  I'm sure the state will gather plenty of Covid 19 test information and follow up contact tracing so that hopefully it will lead to a big comeback with entertainment, including Broadway Theater.  Wouldn't that be great?

Artists including Alec Baldwin, Amy Schumer, Chris Rock, Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster are just a few of the headliner names that will be performing in various shows.  Shows and venues will be announced fairly close to performance dates so as not to create too large of a crowd.

As we see the Covid 19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths coming way down (at the moment) along with the ramping up of vaccinations, I'm personally looking forward to seeing a show- any kind of show quite frankly. Maybe we can find a way to remember the dear people we lost to this pandemic prior to the shows.

I've been providing a personal ticket service for Broadway theatergoers all of my working career- 43 years now.  Although I'm somewhat looking more toward retirement these days, I just didn't want to "go out' this way.  I'd like to see my native New York City make a "comeback", not just so I can sell some tickets.  I always loved coming into the city (when we didn't live there).  There's nothing like the pulse of New York City for me, whether it's strolling along the Broadway Theater District or just walking the "highline" or watching the changing personalities of each neighborhood every several minutes or so as we walk through them.  

Sure, a full comeback will take time, especially waiting for the over 60 million visitors New York has been receiving for years now to return.  Let's all keep our fingers crossed.  Stay well my friends.

Regards

Rich Gladstone

President

Applause-Tickets.com

Phone 212 307 7050

www.applause-tickets.com

“

WATCH NOW

VIDEO02:26

Broadway performers hustle to survive

Much of the state’s plan hinges on a pilot program it conducted in January, where nearly 7,000 football fans were allowed to attend the Buffalo Bills’ home playoff game as long as they presented a negative Covid-19 test.

The governor previously announced at the end of January that New York would allow some venues to reopen for wedding ceremonies with limited capacity beginning on March 15. People will be able to hold a wedding if everyone attending is tested before the event and the organizers receive approval from their local health department beforehand, he said.

“Opening sites with testing is something where New York wants to lead the way,” Cuomo said on Monday.

New York’s first steps to reopen its beleaguered entertainment industry will begin on Feb. 20 with the start of a new “NY PopsUp” initiative. The program will organize more than 300 pop-up performances over 100 days that will be free to watch, though their locations won’t be disclosed beforehand to prevent crowding, Cuomo said.

The initiative will include some big names, such as Hugh Jackman, Alec Baldwin, Chris Rock, Billy Porter, Sarah Jessica Parker, Patti Smith and Mandy Patinkin, among others, Cuomo said.

The events will lead up over the summer to the 20th anniversary of the Tribeca Film Festival in June, Cuomo said. The governor said the program will start with the spontaneous performances and hopefully “migrate” to the opening of some indoor entertainment venues.

“New York leads, and we’re going to lead in bringing back the arts because we’re at a point in time where the future, my friends, is what we make it,” Cuomo said.