Broadway aficionados and Frozen fans alike are shocked at the announcement that “Frozen” On Broadway will be permanently ending its run and not returning after the COVID-19 shutdown on Broadway.
According to The New York Times, Disney Theatrical Productions stated that its stage adaptation of “Frozen” will not reopen once the pandemic eases, making it the first musical to get permanently shut down due to the health crisis.
“Frozen” was never the Broadway powerhouse that “The Lion King” and “Aladdin” proved to be, and the theatrical company does not believe the crowds will be back once the lockdown is lifted. The production was mildly received by critics and by February, was only averaging $1 million in weekly sales.
Thomas Schumacher, President of Disney Theatrical Productions issued the following statement in a letter to staff:
“This difficult decision was made for several reasons but primarily because we believe that three Disney productions will be one too many titles to run successfully in Broadway’s new landscape.”
Broadway remains closed after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo banned gatherings of over 500 people on March 12. Disney plans on resuming the theatrical tour of “Frozen” once theaters reopen across North America in hopes that it fares better outside of New York.