Francisco Mathurine, of the Times Square Alliance, clears snow from the steps in Father Duffy Square in New York, Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. Officials cautioned Northeast residents to not be misled by a relatively smooth Monday morning commute, and pressed their cautions to prepare for a "crippling and potentially historic" storm that could bury communities from northern New Jersey to southern Maine in up to 2 feet of snow starting later in the day. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Republished January 26, 2015 - 1:17 PM
Original Publication Date January 26, 2015 - 9:25 AM
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Broadway theatres are shuttering as a snowstorm blasts Times Square.
The Broadway League said all plays and musicals will be closed on Monday, a traditionally quiet night with only a few shows available. No firm decision about Tuesday has been made.
A blizzard warning was issued for a 250-mile stretch of the Northeast, including New York. The city's mayor has warned of "a storm the likes of which we have never seen before."
The Broadway League waited some five hours before the first shows were due to start to announce the closing of Broadway, citing a late-night travel ban in the city and other restrictions.
The last time Broadway took a big hit from the weather it was Hurricane Sandy in 2012. That storm darkened Broadway for four days and cost more than $8.5 million in lost revenue.
Other venues also weren't taking their chances. The famed Birdland Jazz Club cancelled all Monday shows and two open rehearsals by the New York Philharmonic were scrapped for Wednesday. And Louis C.K.'s show at Madison Square Garden was cancelled for Wednesday.
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Online: http://www.broadwayleague.com
News from © The Associated Press, 2015