The Broadway musical in New York, USA, which had been suspended due to the spread of the new coronavirus, has resumed in earnest for the first time in a year and a half.
It is expected that infection control measures such as requiring the presentation of vaccination proof will be introduced, leading to economic revitalization.
On Broadway in New York, all theaters were closed in March last year due to the spread of the new coronavirus, and most musicals have been suspended for a year and a half.
Even in the United States, caution continues against the highly infectious mutant virus "Delta strain", but in New York City, 72% of people over the age of 18 have completed two vaccinations, and the average number of infected people per week Is on a downward trend.
Under these circumstances, on Broadway, the four popular musicals "The Lion King," "Wicked," "Hamilton," and "Chicago" resumed for the first time in a year and a half, and the theater has a long audience waiting for the performance. I made a line.
As an infection control measure, spectators are obliged to show vaccination certificates and wear masks in the theater, and at the entrance of the "Lion King" theater, staff members use smartphone screens and cards issued by the CDC = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And so on.
The number of visitors was not limited, and in the stage greetings after the performance, a full audience of about 1,700 people stood up and gave generous applause to the performers.
There are about 40 major theaters on Broadway, many of which are scheduled to resume performances over the next month, and are expected to help revitalize the economy, including restaurants in the surrounding area.
Audience "I was looking forward to" "Memorial night"
Audiences who were waiting for the resumption of the "Lion King" performance began to gather about an hour before the performance started.
A woman living in New York who visited with her two children said, "I was very much looking forward to seeing the stage because it is a part of life for people living in New York. Coming to the theater on the first day with the children will reopen Broadway. I thought it was the best way to celebrate. I'll do whatever it takes to show my vaccination certificate, wear a mask, and so on. "
A 9-year-old daughter said, "I'm really looking forward to this work because I love it. I'm very happy to restart it. I have to wear a mask, but it's not a big problem."
Also, a Japanese woman living in New York said, "I was looking forward to the long-awaited resumption. When I was a kid, the first musical I saw in Japan was" The Lion King, "so I'm really looking forward to seeing it at home. It was a memorable night. "
Performers "Like a dream" "Come to see"
The performers of "The Lion King" said in an interview with NHK that they were delighted to resume the performance.
Sidi Maine, who has played the role of baboon magician Rafiki for 22 years, said, "It's like a dream. When I step into the dressing room, the glasses are left as they were, as if there was a performance the night before, and finally. I felt that the time had stopped since the performance on March 11th. Broadway is like my beloved home, "he was pleased with the reopening of the stage.
In addition, Brandon McCall, who plays the role of the main character Lion, Simba, said, "I have a lot of excitement, gratitude, and a little anxiety, and various emotions, but I feel the joy of returning to the place we love. I look forward to delivering magic to you. Please come and see it. "
Last month's rehearsal, which took place for the first time since the performance was decided to resume, began with the practice of the "Circle of Life," which was sung at the beginning of the musical and was based on the theme of the cycle of life. Some people shed tears.
Inoculation certificate must be presented at the theater
In principle, organizations created at theaters in New York are obliged to inoculate the new corona vaccine not only to the performers and staff, but also to the audience when the theater is reopened.
When entering the theater, you are required to show a card that proves your identity, along with an inoculation certificate card issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and a smartphone app that indicates that you have completed the inoculation. increase.
Foreign tourists can enter by showing the inoculation certificate officially issued in that country, so they will check the contents using a translator.
In addition, for children under the age of 12 who are not eligible for vaccination, or for those who cannot be vaccinated for religious reasons, it is necessary to present the results of a virus test that can prove negative.
In addition to the staff who confirms the ticket, there is a staff member who confirms the vaccination certificate at the theater, and the opening time has been shortened by about 15 minutes in consideration of the time required for confirmation.
Expect restaurants around the theater
There are many restaurants around the Broadway theaters, many of which have been closed since the theaters closed around March last year.
Of these, the Italian restaurant near Times Square in the center of New York has decided to resume operations from the 14th when the musical will resume in earnest, and is preparing to repair the signboard of the store from the previous day. Was there.
On the 14th, a ceremony was held to celebrate the reopening, and employees who were waiting for the reopening welcomed customers.
A woman who came to eat before watching the musical said, "I feel great. I've been at home all the time last year, so I'm very happy to go out and see the stage."
The restaurant owner said, "It was a tough decision when I was closed, and it's been a tough year and a half, but I'm really looking forward to reopening. It's a powerful impetus for the city's economy." I was talking about it.
Audience "special night" after the performance
After the performance, a man living in New York who saw "The Lion King" on the first day of the reopening said, "Everyone felt the energy of unity and was very impressed by the courage of the actors on the stage. It was a special night. I was talking.
A woman who has seen this musical 10 times so far said, "I was really looking forward to seeing this work for the first time in a long time after the performance, and it was really special to feel the enthusiasm of the audience. Everyone came to the theater. I was told that I was looking forward to it. "
Also, a Japanese man who saw "The Lion King" for the first time said, "The enthusiasm of the customers was amazing. The performers seemed to be very happy, and I felt that the customers were united." rice field.