Broadway Cancels Shows: Blizzard Forces Feb 23 Closures

Broadway theaters have canceled all evening performances for Monday, February 23, extending a shutdown triggered by a severe blizzard impacting New York City. The decision, announced by the Broadway League, follows the cancellation of all Sunday evening shows as the city grapples with significant snowfall and hazardous travel conditions.

While many Broadway productions are traditionally dark on Mondays, several shows were scheduled to perform, including Chicago, The Great Gatsby, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and Six: The Musical. These, along with Every Brilliant Thing, starring Daniel Radcliffe, will remain closed. Chicago has proactively added a Thursday, March 5 matinee at 2 p.m. to accommodate ticket holders affected by the cancellation.

The cancellations come as New York City continues to recover from a blizzard that dumped between 16 and 19 inches of snow across the metropolitan area. A state of emergency remains in effect, though New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani lifted a citywide travel ban that was in place Sunday evening. However, a hazardous travel advisory remains, and travel bans persist in surrounding counties.

“Due to the continuing impacts from the blizzard and local travel restrictions still in place, Broadway theatre owners and producers have come to the consensus that performances tonight (Monday, February 23) will be canceled,” the Broadway League stated. Ticket holders are advised to contact their point of purchase directly for information regarding exchanges or refunds.

The decision to halt performances, while disruptive, underscores the industry’s commitment to safety. A former Broadway League President previously emphasized that the primary concern during inclement weather is the well-being of cast, crew, and theatergoers, particularly those traveling from outside the city. The League aims to keep shows running “until it’s no longer safe” for anyone involved.

The timing of this shutdown is particularly notable. The cancellations follow a recent instance approximately a month prior where a similar snowstorm prompted debate within the industry regarding the lack of a coordinated response. At that time, concerns were raised by cast and crew members about the decision to proceed with performances despite a declared state of emergency.

Canceling Broadway shows carries a significant financial cost, potentially amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue per production. However, the League’s decision reflects a growing awareness of the need to prioritize safety and address concerns raised by those working in the theater community. The League’s statement indicates a consensus among theater owners and producers, suggesting a more unified approach to handling severe weather events in the future.

Sunday’s cancellations impacted evening performances of several productions, including & Juliet, All Out: Comedy About Ambition, The Book of Mormon, Chicago, Oh, Mary!, Operation Mincemeat, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, and Wicked. Operation Mincemeat, facing the final performance of its original Broadway cast, ultimately canceled its Sunday evening show, with the February 22 matinee serving as the official farewell for the original company.

Off-Broadway productions were also affected, with BIGFOOT!, Burnout Paradise, Data, and You Got Older all canceling their Sunday performances. The situation remains fluid, and Playbill has indicated it will continue to update its coverage as more information becomes available.

The Broadway League’s swift action in response to the blizzard demonstrates a heightened sensitivity to both the logistical challenges and the safety concerns posed by extreme weather. While the cancellations undoubtedly disappoint theatergoers, the decision underscores the industry’s commitment to protecting its workforce and ensuring a safe environment for audiences.