In July 21, a construction elevator on a building site in New York's Times Square collapsed, killing one, injuring 12, stopping performances at two Broadway theatres, and causing chaos in the heart of the Broadway theatre district.
Playbill On-Line asked readers to share anecdotes about about how their lives were affected. Playbill thanks all who took the time to write. Here are the results:
From Ahwang123:
I work at a theatrical production/management company in Times Sq. The collapse has certainly caused minor inconvenience to many who work in the area or are heading off to the theatre, and major problems for residents and those whose offices were sealed off.
I only belong in the former group - our office is further away from the site. Nevertheless, I couldn't get to certain buildings or stores; traffic was a scene out of hell; and I can't even go to some of my usual lunch spots.
Some tourists seem to enjoy being able to take pictures right on Broadway. On bigger issues, I know people who had tickets to Roundabout shows, who could not get into their apartments, and who could not get to work. Not to mention that dear lady who lost the battle of longevity to a freak accident. The frustration level is high all around, especially for the poor souls whose pets are still trapped in their homes without food or water with NY's grip of heat and humidity this week; some colleagues in my office have organized an effort to call the mayor's office to demand action. There is incalculable financial, emotional, and physical loss combined simply from an act of presumed negligence. I read in the paper today that a class action lawsuit is being sought against the construction company and other affiliates. It may not replace some of the things lost but I certainly hope the responsible parties are made to pay what they owe.
From Amanda Parker:
I'm from Massachusetts and for 3 months I have been planning this trip to New York to see my favorite show, Cabaret, with my friend. Two days before we are scheduled to leave my grandmother calls me telling me that [a construction elevator near], Broadway collapsed.
You can't imagine the thoughts running through my mind. Theatre is my life and this was going to be one of the better days of it. I rushed to playbill on line to see if my grandmother was playing a sick joke. . . No, I find out. Cabaret does not re-open until the 26th of July, even though the theatre has suffered no damage. My tickets were for the 25th. Needless to say it made my day pretty rotten, especially after I controlled my hysterical fit enough to realize if my grandmother hadn't told me I would have driven 4 hours to New York, just to drive 4 hours home even more miserable than I am now.
I would like to thank Playbill On-Line for having all the information posted so quickly to help me understand better what was going on. There is one thing I have learned from this experience however: "Life ain't no Cabaret".
From Joanna Spencer:
I work in the Actor's Equity building [on 46th Street] so we didn't get evacuated. The biggest noticeable change has been the easy walking through Times Square! Sometimes good can come of bad; maybe that idea for the pedestrian mall on B'way from 47th to 46th without cars may stick now. Food-wise, it's meant no lunch at Osteria al Doge for one boss, no breakfast Bruegger's Bagels for my other boss, and no going to Teriyaki Boy for me. It also meant my friend couldn't see Cabaret. I got Email updates from a friend on Tuesday who had a direct view of the wreckage from White & Case's conference room. All in all, a weird week.
From Kim Hale ([email protected]):
I am a 21 year old college student from Iowa State University and devout musical theatre junkie.. I have been in Washington DC all summer interning, and am going back home July 31st. I had planned at the beginning of the summer to schedule a trip to New York and the only weekend that worked was the weekend of July 25-26. I was so excited because I was going to wait in line forever just to see Cabaret, and now those plans are obviously null and void due to the accident. I'm still going, there's so much I want to see and do in such a short period of time, but it just won't be the same- I've been looking forward to seeing the show for 3 months!
That's Life!!!
My heart goes out to all those affected by the accident...
From Brad Baker:
Imagine flying 20 students to NYC to see plays -- including SIDE MAN, YOU NEVER CAN TELL, SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN and CABARET. All the tickets have been purchased, itineraries set. Ooops. Disaster strikes. Now, suddenly, four of your shows are closed! Revamp quickly, max out your credit card, and send each student to the TKTS booth to buy tickets to whatever they can still see (including garbage like SCARLET PIMPERNEL, CATS and HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH!) ... and worry about the "extra charge" of $3,600 when you get back home to Texas. Yep, this will be one "memorable" theatre trip ...
