Image by New York State Governor’s Office.ALBANY – New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo is introducing new rules to combat COVID-19 clusters and urged local police to step up mask enforcement and crack down on other violations.Cuomo repeated what experts have warned since the outbreak began: As fall rolls in, instances of the virus are bound to increase.He says that the state is doing well “on the numbers,” but that there’s a serious cluster issue owing to mass gatherings. Examples of clusters have appeared in Brooklyn, Queens, Binghamton, Orange County, and Rockland County.The governor placed the responsibility for growing numbers on large groups gathered at bars, parties, concerts, factories, restaurants, college campuses, places of worship, and the White House. He said that fines would raise for sponsors of mass gatherings. Cuomo says that mass gatherings cause clusters, which cause community spread. With that in mind, he announced a “Cluster Action Initiative” to crush clusters and stop the spread. The initiative represents a new model with new rules. After identifying a cluster by actual number of cases, there’s now going to be a three-step process:Take dramatic action within a red cluster zoneTake action in the areas surrounding the cluster, in the orange warning zone to stop the spreadTake precautionary measures in outlying communities, represented by a yellow precautionary zoneCuomo said the trick is to keep clusters small through intense, targeted effort. Within the three zones of a cluster—red, orange, and yellow—the new rules for worship, businesses, restaurants, schools, and mass gatherings are as follows:These new rules can go into effect as soon as Wednesday, but no later than Friday. They’ll be in effect for a minimum of 14 days, and the state government will monitor the results. Weekly testing for yellow zone schools will start next week. Any schools needing additional testing equipment should contact the Office of the Governor.The governor also repeated that compliance requires enforcement from the local government, and that lack of enforcement has contributed to the problem. To that end, all local governments will be required to provide the state task force with personnel to enforce compliance. Cuomo said New York City will be required to supply 400 personnel to deal with hot spots there.Still, the governor said compliance is ultimately up to individuals and organizations. “It’s not government’s job to catch you,” he said. “It’s the citizen’s obligation to do the right thing.”Take a look at the slides from Cuomo’s presentation:Failed to fetch Error: URL to the PDF file must be on exactly the same domain as the current web page. Click here for more info Share:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
Into the California Sunlight! Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame Will Have Its U.S. Premiere at La Jolla
The musical is a darker take on Disney’s 1996 film and Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel about Quasimodo, a deformed bellringer at the Notre Dame catherdral, and his unlikely relationship with the gypsy Esmeralda. La Jolla is producing the tuner by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions, which previously teamed with the theater on an early run of Peter and the Starcatcher. Do you hear that? Why, it’s the bells of Notre Dame tolling away, and Quasimodo is out there and ready to ring, ring, ring! According to Variety, the stage musical adaptation of Disney’s 1996 animated film The Hunchback of Notre Dame will have its U.S. premiere as part of the 2014-15 season at San Diego’s La Jolla Playhouse. Directed by Scott Schwartz (yes, he’s the very talented son of that Schwartz), the musical is scheduled to run October 28 through December 7. Casting has not yet been announced. Check out Quasimodo’s heartwrenching ballad “Out There” from the animated movie! Featuring songs by Oscar and Tony winner Alan Menken and lyrics by Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz, The Hunchback of Notre Dame premiered in Berlin under the name Der Glöckner von Notre Dame and featured direction and an original book by Tony winner James Lapine. However, this new version has a book by Peter Parnell (On a Clear Day You Can See Forever). No word yet on if Disney has plans to take Hunchback to Broadway following its run in California. View Comments
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Casting Complete for Broadway Premiere of Violet, Starring Sutton Foster
Alexander Gemignani Star Files Gemignani has appeared on Broadway in Chicago, Assassins, Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables, Sunday in the Park with George and The People in the Picture. Davis’ Broadway credits include Les Miserables, Thoroughly Modern Millie, La Boheme and A Little Night Music. Golden currently stars on the hit Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black. She’s appeared on Broadway in Xanadu, The Full Monty, On the Town, Ah, Wilderness!, Leader of the Pack and Hair. Sutton Foster Complete casting has been announced for the forthcoming Broadway premiere of Violet, starring two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster, Tony nominee Joshua Henry and Colin Donnell. Directed by Leigh Silverman, the musical is set to begin previews at the American Airlines Theatre on March 28. Opening night is scheduled for April 20. In addition to Foster as Violet, Henry as Flick and Donnell as Monty, the cast of Violet will feature Alexander Gemignani as Father, Ben Davis as Preacher, Annie Golden as Hotel Singer/Old Lady, Emerson Steele as Young Violet and Austin Lesch, Anastasia McCleskey, Charlie Pollock, Jacob Keith Watson, Rema Webb and Virginia Ann Woodruff. Violet tells the story of a young woman’s quest for beauty amidst the image-obsessed landscape of the 1960s. Facially disfigured in a childhood accident, Violet dreams of a miraculous transformation through the power of faith. Convinced that a televangelist in Oklahoma can heal her, she hops a Greyhound bus and starts the journey of a lifetime. Along the way, Violet forms unlikely friendships with her fellow riders, who teach her about beauty, love, courage and what it means to be an outsider. Related Shows Violet
Show Closed This production ended its run on Aug. 10, 2014 Joshua Henry View All (4) The creative team for Violet includes scenic design by David Zinn, costume design by Clint Ramos, lighting design by Mark Barton, sound design by Leon Rothenberg and choreography by Jeffrey Page. Colin Donnell View Comments Featuring music by Jeanine Tesori and a book and lyrics by Brian Crawley, the Roundabout production of Violet will be based on the New York City Center Encores! Off-Center concert in 2013, which also starred Foster, Henry and Steele and was directed by Silverman.
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No More Musicals! Anna Kendrick Loves Beer & Cheese, Hates Singing
View Comments Been dreaming up more movie musical roles for Anna Kendrick now that she’s got Into the Woods and The Last Five Years in the can? Well, STOP DREAMING. Kendrick told Broadway.com at the February 24 industry screening of The Last Five Years that she is done with movie musicals. “I never want to have to think about taking care of my voice again,” she said. “And to have to think, ‘Oh, I really shouldn’t be eating this cheese or having this beer.’ I’m just not used to that. I’m going to be really relieved to just speak in movies!”
Kendrick plays Cinderella in Into the Woods, out December 25, 2014 and Cathy Hyatt in The Last Five Years, out hopefully sooner. And then she’s. Never. Singing. Again. Did you hear her? Never!* *Except for Pitch Perfect 2. Duh.
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What Percentage of Water Is Celery? Watch Audra McDonald Sing the Answer!
Related Shows Remember that time Jimmy Fallon had Tony winner Audra McDonald sing Yahoo Answers, and it was awesome? Well, here’s another installment! Fallon brought the sold gold bit to his new gig as the host of The Tonight Show, and yes, it’s still brilliant. This time McDonald, who is about to return to Broadway as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, knows all about which side of a potato chip is saltier, what to do to alleviate boredom and so much more. Watch and let her blow your mind. Enjoy! Show Closed This production ended its run on Oct. 5, 2014 Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill View Comments
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Tickets Now On Sale for Off-Broadway Premiere of Ethel Sings
Related Shows Ethel Sings follows Ethel Rosenberg, the determined mother, singer, writer and actress, and her husband Julius, played by Ari Butler, who become swept up in the fatal Red Scare hysteria of the 1950s. Julius’ need to “save the world” becomes his undoing, and Ethel’s love for her husband becomes hers. View Comments Tickets are now on sale for the off-Broadway premiere of Joan Beber’s Ethel Sings, starring Tracy Michailidis as real-life convicted spy Ethel Rosenberg. The play, under the direction of Will Pomerantz, will begin performances on May 31 at Theatre Row’s Beckett Theatre and run through July 13. Opening night is set for June 6. In addition to Michailidis and Butler, the cast will include Adrienne Moore, Kevin Isola, David Fierro, Tanesha Gary, Sheira Irving, Kenneth Lee, Joel Leffert and Serge Thony. Ethel Sings Show Closed This production ended its run on July 13, 2014
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Broadway Grosses: Tony-Nominated Tuners Play Packed Houses as the Big Sunday Approaches
Source: The Broadway League FRONTRUNNERS (By Capacity) 1. The Book of Mormon (102.63%) 2. Hedwig and the Angry Inch (102.31%)* 3. A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (100.55%) 4. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (100.24%) 5. Aladdin (100.04%) FRONTRUNNERS (By Gross) 1. The Lion King ($1,959,485) 2. Wicked ($1,804,729) 3. The Book of Mormon ($1,628,410) 4. Kinky Boots ($1,358,527) 5. Aladdin ($1,196,720) UNDERDOGS (By Gross) 5. Act One ($395,328) 4. Violet ($365,403) 3. Rock of Ages ($291,010) 2. Casa Valentina ($245,811) 1. Mothers and Sons ($159,811) View Comments It’s the week before the Tonys and audiences are scrambling to catch some nominated shows before they potentially bring home top honors at Radio City Music Hall! Three of this year’s four Best Musical nominees (Aladdin, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder) played to full houses, as did the revivals of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and A Raisin in the Sun. While Act One and Mothers and Sons both appeared in the bottom five by gross and capacity, a win for either Best Play or for their leading players (Tony Shalhoub and Tyne Daly, respectively) could help boost them out of the underdogs. We’ll have to tune in on June 8 to find out! Here’s a look at who was on top—and who was not—for the week ending June 1: UNDERDOGS (By Capacity) 5. Act One (63.79%) 4. Rocky (63.11%) 3. Once (62.36%) 2. Bullets Over Broadway (61.27%) 1. Mothers and Sons (41.44%) *Number based on 7 regular performances
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Andrew Lloyd Webber & the Cats Team Reunite with Furry Friends
View Comments You’re invited to the Jellicle Ball! That’s right, after a completely unnecessary 12-year Cats drought in the West End, the hit musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber is back at the London Palladium for 12 weeks this winter. Check out all the details here! We’ve had Cats fever (or should we say cat scratch fever?) since the news was announced, and we’re especially excited about Rum Tum Tugger as a “contemporary street cat” who does hip-hop. Check out this adorable shot of director Trevor Nunn, Lloyd Webber and choreographer Gillian Lynne getting frisky with four of the show’s fuzzy felines, then see Cats at the Palladium beginning December 6!
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Check Out the Poster For the New Annie Movie
Star Files All we want for Christmas is a star-studded new Annie movie—and December 19, our wish will come true. The film reboot will give our favorite Broadway orphan (sorry, Gavroche) a 21st-century makeover, featuring Oscar nominee Quvenzhane Wallis as the lovable redhead. The movie will also feature Jamie Foxx as Benjamin Stacks, Cameron Diaz as Miss Hannigan, You Can’t Take It With You star Rose Byrne as Stacks’ assistant Grace and Broadway alum Bobby Cannavale as a tough political advisor. Fandango revealed the poster for the new movie, featuring the stars and of course, Sandy the pup. Now that you’ve seen the poster, check out the trailer and mark your calendars…Christmas is just around the corner! Bobby Cannavale
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Watch Skylar Astin Introduce His Girlfriend to Wicked on Ground Floor
View Comments Related Shows Wicked The TBS comedy Ground Floor is about to get swankified. On the January 20 episode, Brody, played by Broadway alum and Pitch Perfect star Skylar Astin, takes his girlfriend Jenny to the national tour of Wicked. Check out the clip below, in which the couple sits next to a positively emerald—and borderline unstable—Shizhead (is that what Wicked fans call themselves? It definitely should be). It’s worth the watch, and not just for Astin’s “Defying Gravity” riff. from $95.00
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