Broadway shows going mask-optional in July

Broadway announced Tuesday the suspension of its in-theater masking mandate — for July, at least, with the policy for August and beyond to be evaluated each month.

The Broadway League, which represents all 41 Broadway theaters, said masks would be optional, although masking would still be encouraged. The wearing of masks has been required in plays, musicals and other shows since the theaters reopened last summer after being closed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Audience masking protocols for August and beyond will be evaluated on a monthly basis as we continue to monitor the science and will be announced in mid-July. Come join us on Broadway with more than 30 shows performing this summer!," the league said in a statement posted to its website.

Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League, said in the statement: "Millions of people enjoyed the unique magic of Broadway by watching the 75th Tony Award Ceremony recently. Millions more have experienced Broadway LIVE in theatres in New York City and throughout the U.S., since we reopened last fall."

In May, at a post-show question-and-answer following the musical “Company,” actor Patti PuPone scolded, and cursed at, a patron for failing to fully mask.

“Put your mask on over your nose, that is the rule,” Northport's LuPone says in a video that went viral on Twitter. “That’s why you are in the theater, that is the rule. If you don’t want to follow the rule, get the [expletive] out!”

The audience applauded and she added: “I’m serious. Who do you think you are, if you do not respect the people that are sitting around you?”

Long Islanders were 800,000 of the 14.8 million admissions to shows, according to the league's latest statistics, covering 2018 to 2019.

In May, most of the theaters discontinued checks of proof of vaccination — another protocol in place since the reopenings last summer.

Theaters statewide, as well as other public gatherings, went dark by state order in mid-March 2020 as the pandemic first swept through New York.

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.