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In the latest New York City show to fall victim
to the surging coronavirus, Jackman said on Twitter that he had
only mild symptoms, including a scratchy throat and runny nose,
and that as soon as he was cleared he would be back on stage.
Producers announced that all performances of the musical would
be canceled through Jan. 1.
Jackman tested positive after his co-star Sutton Foster came
down with the coronavirus last week and was replaced by an
understudy. Foster will return on Jan. 2 but Jackson is expected
to be out until Jan. 6.
Dozens of Broadway shows, including "Hamilton," "The Lion King"
and "Aladdin," have been forced to cancel performances over the
past two weeks as the virus has raged through the city despite
vaccine mandates for cast, crew and audiences.
Some, like the annual Christmas show by the Rockettes at Radio
City Music Hall, shut down entirely, while musicals "Jagged
Little Pill" and "Ain't Too Proud" have closed weeks earlier
than scheduled because of breakthrough cases and sluggish ticket
sales during the normally busy holiday season.
The surge couldn't have come at a worse time for Broadway, which
reopened only in September after an 18-month closure because of
the pandemic. January and February are traditionally the leanest
months to bring in audiences, and large musicals need full
houses to make money.
"Music Man" is currently running in preview ahead of an official
opening scheduled for Feb. 10. Ticket demand has been strong
despite an official top price of $699 a seat, and are changing
hands on secondary websites for more than $2,000 each.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Sandra Maler)
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