Broadway sees once-in-a-lifetime closures during COVID-19 spread

Businesses deemed "non-essential" across the U.S. remain temporarily shut during the pandemic. That includes New York City's centuries-old theaters, which had close to 15 million admissions last year.

Many famous Broadway theaters such as the Rodgers, Minskoff and Ambassado have suspended ticket sales since March 12, despite New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's hope to keep them open with disinfectant and social distancing efforts.

Even shows that have been running for decades and have attracted millions of foreign visitors, like The Phantom of the Opera, To Kill a Mockingbird and Lion King, had to be stopped.

New York City has been hit hard by COVID-19 with more than 15,000 deaths as of Thursday.

Some performers have not been able to escape infection.

36-year-old Aaron Tveit, who stars in "Moulin Rouge! The Musical" show, tested positive for coronavirus shortly after the theaters closed.

Nick Cordero who acted in the musical "Waitress," has been battling the virus. He had his right leg amputated last Saturday due to COVID-19 complications.

It's uncertain when New York City's Broadway business will reopen but some actors have adapted to this "new normal" by staging live performances in their homes.

Veteran actor Brian Stokes Mitchell, who has won numerous awards, has sung from his apartment window at night in appreciation of essential workers of New York and has announced a livestream concert this Sunday.

This announcement comes as online performances have generated a lot of attention including an all-star concert, One World: Together at Home held last week.

(CGTN)