Well a lot has happened in the past 24 hours. My friends who work on Broadway are all out of work for at least the next month, and by that I mean not only actors, but ushers and front of house staff, dressers, props, all crew members, stage managers, orchestra members. Regional theaters are closing productions and in some cases, the rest of their season. Regional theaters are already hurting, this could ruin some. Independent bookshops are actively worried about their survivability. All small businesses are worried, in fact. Though I know the impact will be far and wide, in businesses, trade, schools closing, museums and theme parks, and on and on, I’m speaking to what I know; theater, books, music.
Tours will be cancelled. My friend Noble, who is touring in The King’s Speech, is now out of work. It was just about to open at Hartford Stage. I haven’t heard about the Anastasia tour yet, but I’m sure they’ll have to hit pause, at the very least.
I know each of you knows of other businesses that will be impacted.
It’s really a nightmare, isn’t it?
Consider ordering from small businesses if you can over the next month.
Just when we thought we had done everything to prepare to stay in place, we have to go out to get Don’s prescriptions and grab a few things at our local supermarket. As I said to Don this morning, “After today, can we please stay home?” We’re using hand sanitizer, washing our hands, and using disinfectant wipes on door handles and shopping carts. But I’m over this now. Time to stay home.
I finished The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford. Simply wonderful; very funny and moving. Going back to The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler seems a little jarring. I have to take a few deep breaths before I move on.
Other than that, my friends – and ‘that’ is a lot – we’re doing what everyone else is doing.
Let me share this quote from Shelf Awareness, which is all about books and booksellers. Organizers of The Bay Area Book Festival, which has just been cancelled, said this:
During this tough time, let’s all remember one tried-and-true way to promote wellness. Stress and anxiety are terrible for our immune systems, and there’s a proven antidote for that: read a book. In the midst of the chaos and uncertainty, it can help to spend half an hour escaping with a novel, feeding your soul with poetry, or finding companionship in a memoir.
I suspect I’m preaching to the choir. Grab a book, make a cup of tea or coffee, and read.
Happy Friday.
