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How do Broadway Stars Cope with Silent Theaters? They Sing

Associated Press

   NEW YORK - The coronavirus silenced Broadway. It could not silence two
   of its rising stars.
   Samantha Pauly and Brittney Mack, who play two wives of Henry VIII in
   the musical "Six," have turned their disappointment at having their
   musical on hold by doing what they do best -- singing for an audience,
   this one on social media.

   "It's partly making sure that I am still vocalizing and singing every
   day and doing something. But it's also kind of keeping me sane," Pauly
   says.

   The daily songs are just one way that theater folk have passed the time
   since Broadway went dark. Playwrights like Lauren Gunderson and Young
   Jean Lee are offering online tutorials, performers are doing
   fundraisers and choreographers are breaking down dances online.

   The cast of "Come From Away" did a video to say thank you to medical
   personnel. The cast of "Beautiful" gathered for an online version of "
   You've Got a Friend." Andrew Lloyd Webber has serenaded Twitter with
   tunes on his piano. And the cast of "Hamilton" reunited -- albeit
   remotely -- to perform " Alexander Hamilton." Some shows have pivoted
   to becoming audiobooks.

   Broadway theaters abruptly closed on March 12, knocking out all shows
   on the Great White Way but also 16 that were still scheduled to open,
   including "Diana," "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Company." The news was
   especially crushing for the cast and crew of "Six" since they learned
   about the shutdown hours before they were officially to open.

   "It's like you're at the Olympics and you're right there at the finish
   and you tripped over something you don't even see," says Mack.

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