NEW YORK — The hottest ticket on Broadway will soon be vaccines.
The city is setting up vaccination sites along the Great White Way to get Broadway workers jabbed, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday, though the state is yet to make actors, producers and the rest of the talent that goes into a show eligible for shots.
“It’s part of our identity, it’s part of who we are … It is so important to our future,” de Blasio said at a press conference, noting the $15 billion theater industry accounts for 100,000 jobs.
Entertainment venues will be allowed to reopen at 33% capacity starting April 2, under state guidelines previously announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. De Blasio said he wants to see Broadway fully running in the fall.
“There’s a long time for Broadway shows to come back,” de Blasio noted, saying he’s “looking ahead to September” for the full resumption of performances.
He called on the state to make theater workers eligible for vaccines and to establish measures on keeping workers, performers and audience members safe.
De Blasio was joined Thursday by Andre De Shields of “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and “The Wiz” fame.
“New York is on its way back, but it will not completely arrive until not only Broadway, but all theater across this great city has returned,” De Shields said.
Along with vaccination sites in the Broadway area, the city will provide a mobile vaccination site for off-Broadway performers, de Blasio said.
