New York (AFP)

Stopped since March 12, Broadway still has no visibility on the conditions of its reopening, probably not before September, and fears carnage without public aid.

In the evening, the neon lights remain on, but for almost two months, there has been no one to queue at the entrance of theaters near Times Square in New York.

Each week, 33 million dollars in box office receipts soar.

Still paid two weeks after the closure, professionals can now only count on unemployment benefits, which many have still not received, due to administrative chaos.

"Unfortunately, it is almost impossible for a stage musician to earn any money at the moment," regrets Clayton Craddock, drummer of the orchestra of the musical "Ain't Too Proud".

The basic fee, according to several sources, is around $ 2,000 per week, but can go significantly beyond that.

According to the president of the Local 802 musicians' union, Adam Krauthamer, several members have already died of the Covid-19.

Among the 16 shows in preparation at the time of the interruption decided by the governor of New York State Andrew Cuomo, only two have officially given up.

"It is likely that some will not return, but we do not yet have this information," said Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League, representative body of the community.

- Impossible to separate -

The prognosis is all the more delicate since apart from the certainty that nothing will happen before July at least, Broadway has no visibility on its reopening and many are now talking about September, at best.

The prospect seems all the more distant since a solution similar to that envisaged by certain sports, that is to say playing behind closed doors or with a reduced gauge, is already excluded.

"Broadway's business model is such that social distancing is impossible," warns Charlotte St. Martin. "Even with halls 50% full, a show could not pay its bills."

Pieces and musicals fall into the category of mass gatherings, "which will likely be the last to be licensed," said the president of the Broadway League. "And we have no information on what the conditions will be for them to stand," she said.

"The general mood among my colleagues, as for earning a living by playing music, has never been so gloomy", notes Maxim Moston, violinist and member of the orchestra of the musical "Moulin Rouge".

"I think we have all given up hope a bit and many are considering other careers at this point," he said. Arranger and orchestrator, Maxim Moston is currently working on other projects.

- "The city needs Broadway" -

"I see this period as an opportunity to restart," considers a member of the orchestra of another musical, on condition of anonymity, who does not exclude a retraining. "If Broadway comes back in September and I can get back to living on it, that's perfect," he says. "But I'm prepared for it to be more complicated."

Clayton Craddock says to himself, "optimistic": "I think people will want to see music on stage (...) They are thirsty for interactions, for direct contact".

To hold out until the recovery, Broadway mobilizes with local elected officials and Congress, which is working on new measures to support the economy.

"If there is no money (in this future plan) for those who work in Broadway orchestras, we will not get there," warns Adam Krathaumer, president of the Local 802 musicians union. " I can't be more clear. "

"Economically, the city needs Broadway to come alive, so tourism, hotels and restaurants are healthier," says Charlotte St. Martin, who cites a study assessing the economic impact of the industry. to $ 14.7 billion a year in New York.

"For a lot of the shows to continue, we're going to need some form of financial support," she says.

When Broadway is able to reopen its theaters, a subsidiary question will then arise: that of the public's appetite. "Music will always be necessary," says Maxim Moston. "But I can see people refusing to go out in groups or to visit New York for a long time."

© 2020 AFP