When Broadway houses went dark in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, nobody was certain when they might reopen. With the theatres shuttered until at least early June, commercial productions around the world are thrust into unchartered waters. Which shows will actually come back? Which upcoming productions will get delayed? Will audiences come back to theatres?
Tony winning theatre producer Ken Davenport remains optimistic. He tells us that, while there will be some inevitable shuffling of staged and touring productions, the shutdown gives live theatre a chance to return smarter, stronger and more prepared for a new reality. The industry however, must act now to get ahead.
Of course we also cover some of the week’s top entertainment headlines including why France is upset with Google, the straight to VOD release of “Trolls” may have been a success and the launch of the new streaming service Quibi.

Ken Davenport’s Website
https://www.theproducersperspective.com
Ken Davenport on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/KenDavenport/
The Theatermakers Studio
https://theatermakersstudio.com/
2011 Broadway Company of GODSPELL Will Reunite to Raise Money for The Actors Fund
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/2011-Broadway-Company-of-GODSPELL-Will-Reunite-to-Raise-Money-for-The-Actors-Fund-20200409
France Rules Google Must Pay News Firms for Content
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-google-france/france-rules-google-must-pay-news-firms-for-content-idUSKCN21R14X
Quibi Hits 1.7 Million Downloads in First Week
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/quibi-hits-17-million-downloads-first-week-1289986
‘Trolls World Tour’: FandangoNow Reports That Movie Posts Best Weekend For Streaming Service
https://deadline.com/2020/04/trolls-world-tour-fandangonow-weekend-record-1202906902/
Mort Drucker Dies: Famous Fans Post Favorites From Mad Magazine TV & Movie Caricaturist
https://deadline.com/2020/04/mort-drucker-dead-obituary-mad-magazine-tv-movie-caricaturist-1202904928/
John Prine, One of America’s Greatest Songwriters, Dead at 73
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/john-prine-obit-253684/
Hal Willner, Music Producer and Longtime ‘SNL’ Music Supervisor, Dead at 64
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hal-willner-obituary-979949/