Playhouse Square has 3 livestreamed events in works

Earlier this year Playhouse Square officials were hoping for more of "Everything's Alright" and a little less "What's the Buzz/Strange Thing Mystifying" when the pandemic closed the national touring production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" appearing in the Connor Palace. "At that point it was, when are we going to be able to get 'Jesus Chris Superstar' back onstage since we were in the midst of (the pandemic)?" Playhouse Square Senior Vice President of Programming David Greene said. "Nobody anticipated a shutdown that would go as long as it has. "I don't think anybody at that point understood the magnitude of what we would be facing. At that point it was, how quickly can we reschedule the shows we had booked in what we thought would be a short period we'd shut down." Naturally COVID-19 had other plans. Seven months later live performances have yet to return as theater companies around the nation beg "Could We Start Again Please?" While Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued an order in late August allowing performing arts venues to reopen, the guidelines were cumbersome. Not only is attendance capped at 15 percent of seated capacity — or up to a maximum of 300 people for indoor theaters — but performers must social distance at least 6 feet from each other and 12 feet from the audience. "We're still looking at those options," Greene said. "Things take time. Hopefully, we'll have some opportunities to share information with audiences at a future time, but our work continues to figure out how best to get back to live performances. "In the meantime, in order to engage with audiences, we're taking it the digital route." While this spring included virtual offerings such as community engagement and education programs, Playhouse Square is about to take its next step presenting livestream concerts "Live from the West Side: Women of Broadway" on Oct. 24 (Patti LuPone), Nov. 14 (Laura Benanti) and Dec. 5 (Vanessa Williams). Playhouse Square is one of 20 nonprofit arts organizations participating in a three-part streaming concert series, which normally would be offered from Broadway producers. However, these aren't normal times. "The participating organizations sought this," Greene said. "This is our collaboration of performing arts centers, which have gone to the artists to say we would like to feature you in a concert. We've heard time and time again from our season ticket holders, donors and audiences that they're missing Broadway. "To be able to give a very up-close, front-row seat to everybody who purchases one of these streams is really exciting. It's a star-studded lineup. When this came together there were collective cheers from all over the country. "There were a number of names that were talked about and to know that we landed on these three women is beyond our wildest dreams." Proceeds from sales of the livestreams will support Playhouse Square. Financially speaking, Greene said the "Live from the West Side: Women of Broadway" won't be anywhere close to having a successful Broadway production in town for a two-week stint. However, that's not really the intended goal. Instead, the idea is to engage Playhouse Square audiences and keep Broadway front and center in people's homes. "Hopefully there will be watch parties with their bubble group," Greene said. "They'll get together and enjoy this as they would enjoy a show at the Connor Palace." As far as a message for Playhouse Square subscribers and theatergoers, Greene offered, "Stay strong. We'll be back and better than ever." WHAT: Playhouse Square presents livestream concerts "Live from the West Side: Women of Broadway" WHEN: 8 p.m. Oct. 24 (Patti LuPone), Nov. 14 (Laura Benanti) and Dec. 5 (Williams) COST: $30 per performance INFO: PlayhouseSquare.org.