Broadway Returns with New Investors, Big Plans

Broadway, the collection of major theaters in the United States, has seen the longest shutdown in its history. It is set on proving that there is no business like show business.

Hopes are high for reopening of musicals and plays starting in September. They are led by the three big musicals in the industry: "Hamilton," "The Lion King," and "Wicked." These three musicals were taking in about $1 million a week before the 18-month shutdown began in March 2020.

Theaters will be permitted to fill their seats to 100 percent. Actors and other crew members will be required to show proof of vaccination¹.

Always ready for risks, Broadway producers are backing new projects even with millions of dollars in lost sales.

Ken² Davenport is a producer who has won Tony Awards, the highest award on Broadway, for his musicals "Kinky Boots" and "Once on This Island." He said, "Producers produce what they're passionate³ about. There's nothing safe about what we do. If we wanted safe, we would be in investment banking⁴, or an accountant, or a lawyer."

Davenport has six new shows in development. He said, "This is a business that favors the bold..." He believes there will be a rebirth of theater over the next five years.

Starting a new Broadway musical requires an immediate⁵ investment of about $10 to $15 million. This includes wages for the cast and crew, advertising⁶, backgrounds, and makeup⁷. Plays – without music - generally cost less than half that number.

Broadway's hopes are still high even though important producer Scott Rudin said in April he would take a leave from the business for a while after several accusations⁸ of bullying¹⁰ actors and others. Rudin has apologized for his behavior.

Instead, Rudin's step back has opened the way for new investors¹¹ who want big projects like bringing back musicals from the past, such as "Funny Girl" and "Dreamgirls."

Gordon Cox is a head writer on theater for Variety, which covers Broadway. He said Rudin's step back has not left a hole. He added there are whole groups of people that now feel like they can get involved and "it seems like a cool thing to do."

Black Investors

Sadly, Disney musical "Frozen" is not returning. Rudin-backed 2020 renewal¹² of "West Side Story" is not returning. And the two-part Harry¹³ Potter play is being combined into one.

The Broadway League said it will not release official numbers of returns for the next few months. However, sales websites show formerly¹⁴ popular shows have had slow sales.

Seven new plays have been announced for this fall, all by Black writers. Some are being financed by first-time Broadway investors. They include co-founder of the television network BET, Sheila Johnson, who is putting money behind the play "Thoughts of a Colored Man." Johnson and famous cook Carla Hall are also investing in a new musical called "Grace" about Black food and cooking history.

Actor Blair Underwood and former sportsperson Renee Montgomery are investing in the play "Pass Over," a modern remake of "Waiting for Godot."

Brian Moreland is the producer of "Thoughts of a Colored Man," opening in October. He said, "There is various new money that is coming into Broadway, and that money is extraordinarily¹⁵ helpful and it is also diverse money, which is also very interesting and new."

Words in This Story

passionate – adj. having, showing, or expressing strong emotions or beliefs

accountant – n. someone whose job is to keep the financial records of a business or person

bully⁹ – v. to frighten, hurt, or threaten (a smaller or weaker person)

classic – adj. used to say that something has come to be considered one of the best of its kind

various – adj. used to refer to several different or many things or people

diverse – adj. made up of people or things that are different from each other

1 vaccination   

n.接种疫苗，种痘

参考例句：

• Vaccination is a preventive against smallpox.种痘是预防天花的方法。
• Doctors suggest getting a tetanus vaccination every ten years.医生建议每十年注射一次破伤风疫苗。

2 ken   

n.视野，知识领域

参考例句：

• Such things are beyond my ken.我可不懂这些事。
• Abstract words are beyond the ken of children.抽象的言辞超出小孩所理解的范围.

3 passionate   

adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的

参考例句：

• He is said to be the most passionate man.据说他是最有激情的人。
• He is very passionate about the project.他对那个项目非常热心。

4 banking   

n.银行业，银行学，金融业

参考例句：

• John is launching his son on a career in banking.约翰打算让儿子在银行界谋一个新职位。
• He possesses an extensive knowledge of banking.他具有广博的银行业务知识。

5 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

6 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

7 makeup   

n.组织；性格；化装品

参考例句：

• Those who failed the exam take a makeup exam.这次考试不及格的人必须参加补考。
• Do you think her beauty could makeup for her stupidity?你认为她的美丽能弥补她的愚蠢吗？

8 accusations   

n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名

参考例句：

• There were accusations of plagiarism. 曾有过关于剽窃的指控。
• He remained unruffled by their accusations. 对于他们的指控他处之泰然。

9 bully   

n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮

参考例句：

• A bully is always a coward.暴汉常是懦夫。
• The boy gave the bully a pelt on the back with a pebble.那男孩用石子掷击小流氓的背脊。

10 bullying   

v.恐吓，威逼( bully的现在分词 )；豪；跋扈

参考例句：

• Many cases of bullying go unreported . 很多恐吓案件都没有人告发。
• All cases of bullying will be severely dealt with. 所有以大欺小的情况都将受到严肃处理。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会

12 renewal   

adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来

参考例句：

• Her contract is coming up for renewal in the autumn.她的合同秋天就应该续签了。
• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。

13 harry   

vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼

参考例句：

• Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天，人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。
• Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。

14 formerly   

adv.从前，以前

参考例句：

• We now enjoy these comforts of which formerly we had only heard.我们现在享受到了过去只是听说过的那些舒适条件。
• This boat was formerly used on the rivers of China.这船从前航行在中国内河里。

15 extraordinarily   

adv.格外地；极端地

参考例句：

• She is an extraordinarily beautiful girl.她是个美丽非凡的姑娘。
• The sea was extraordinarily calm that morning.那天清晨，大海出奇地宁静。