Coronavirus, and Broadway
A Documentary series about NYC's Theater District during the CoViD-19 Pandemic
The World saw clearly the devastating effects the CoViD-19 Pandemic had on our daily lives.
One aspect I felt I could document within the pandemic climate, was the effects on New York City’s theater entertainment industry. All the theaters were closed, but the ominous atmosphere surrounding the buildings and marquees spoke volumes.
Between March and October of 2021, I was able to photograph seventeen of the 41 Broadway Theaters that were temporarily closed.
Broadway Theaters are located from 41st Street through 54th Street/from Sixth to Eighth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
Why would I do such a thing as venture out during a pandemic, you could ask. Because I have a deep internal voice that is always saying… If not now, when? Of course there were restrictions on travel within the City. In a free society, no one is asking for “your papers!” Did you, yourself happen to venture outside from 2020 thru 2022? How far did you get? No matter how far you walked/drove/traveled, you had that same exact internal voice I had, directing me to make a decision and stick with it.
As a native New Yorker, I admit to having seen less than a handful of Broadway Shows in my life. I won’t go into why in this article. As I have the experience of living in New York City all of my life, I see that which draws people to spend their money on live entertainment. It’s quite a normal thing (though it’s never thought of as that). Going “out to the theater,” has always been a time when people dress up. To see other people entertain us—but we still get dressed up to sit in a darkened theater. Apologies, I digress.
You’ll notice all photographs are taken during the daytime. In the midst of a citywide “shelter in place.” So, the atmosphere surrounding these usual places of laughter, joy and sometimes sadness—were devoid of that which makes them so enjoyable. I hope you’ve come out of the pandemic with minimal scars to your life. I wasn’t that lucky though it wasn’t because I contracted the virus.
I thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. Please click here, or on the Photo above to watch a video slideshow documentary of the series. it’s just 5 minutes long. I think you’ll enjoy it!
Till next time,
Kenneth