COVID-19 Update, May 14, 2020: On the Brink

The number of Americans dead from the coronavirus is 84,313.

Thirty-six million Americans are now unemployed: tinyurl.com/y83taqso.

Ousted health official Rick Bright warns that, without a coordinated federal effort, the US faces the "darkest winter in modern history:" tinyurl.com/ybc37h2c.

Can this bromance be saved? The president publicly cools on Anthony Fauci, for being too candid to the Senate: tinyurl.com/y8bdhm8h.

Because it doesn't fit with his messaging, the president sidelines the CDC: tinyurl.com/y8rq8y9h.

Don't panic, but the droplets from mere conversation may be enough to spread the coronavirus: tinyurl.com/y9bglke5.

At least doctors are developing a box of tools to treat COVID-19: tinyurl.com/y9xpmjvm.

Nancy Pelosi puts a $3 trillion relief bill on the table. The GOP recoils: tinyurl.com/yb5yqxlw.

Food for thought:

The pessimist's point of view: An argument that the coronavirus means curtains for artists: tinyurl.com/yctax7br.

The optimist's point of view: Dave Grohl on why concerts must return: tinyurl.com/ycusuvq3.

The realist's point of view: Nicholas Rivero assesses the road ahead and what you can do now: tinyurl.com/ydbwa23p.

COVID Event Planning: A website that you may find to be most useful: tinyurl.com/y9d4hlu2.

Wisdom from actors about dealing with uncertainty and unemployment: tinyurl.com/yc4zhefg.

State of the nation: As Snopes confirms, this sign is real: tinyurl.com/ycvv9c3r.

Mobilizing:

The ultimate lighting shootout. And we mean that literally. On May 17, 10:00am PT, lighting designer Christian Jackson explodes old gear to raise money for crew relief: tinyurl.com/y75wmb7c.

Around the country:

In Arkansas:

That Travis McCready concert, sponsored by Live Nation, looks up in the air now that that the governor has issued a cease-and-desist order: tinyurl.com/y9ure6jn.

In Florida:

Disney Cruise Lines cancels all cruises through the end of July: tinyurl.com/y8hpyds4.

But Carnival Cruises is doing land-office business for August trips: tinyurl.com/y7wfhgw9.

In Louisiana:

Casinos are looking at reopening; in Oklahoma, not so much: tinyurl.com/y77uhz6b.

In Nevada:

It is now the only state not accepting unemployment claims from gig workers: tinyurl.com/y8mhzmtc.

In Wisconsin:

The state's supreme court strikes down the governor's stay-at-home order: tinyurl.com/y8jrcu6q.

Around the world:

In the UK:

Artistic director Matthew Warchus says The Old Vic is in perilous condition: tinyurl.com/y9t7hl2b.

In South Korea:

The country, which did so well in eradicating the virus, faces a setback: tinyurl.com/y9syx5j2.

Training:

Bill Sapsis announces a new training program that is social-distancing-compliant. Bill will bring his 45+ years of experience to your video screen for live discussions with you and your staff and crew on issues that address your specific concerns and the needs of your operation. The classes are held on Zoom or WebEx and are 60 - 90 minutes long. You identify the topics to be discussed. You provide the attendees. These sessions are perfect for organizations, theatre companies, service companies, IA locals, colleges and universities. The classes provide one full ETCP renewal credit for each hour of training. These classes are free for a limited time only. Email Bill for details: Bill@sapsis-rigging.com.

Company news:

From Sapsis Rigging: "Per the Pennsylvania Governor's office, the SRI office and shop remain closed. However, some staff are working from home and are available to assist you with your rigging needs. The sales folks are drop shipping orders whenever possible. Our design teams will help with your temporary and permanent design questions for theatre rigging, fall arrest systems, rescue plans, art installations, and much more. And Uncle Bill is always available to talk with you about rigging or pretty much anything else. (He's like that.)" www.sapsis-rigging.com

Scheduling:

Massachusetts' Great Barrington Public Theater has canceled its summer season: www.greatbarringtonpublictheater.org/.

The Hollywood Bowl has canceled its summer season: tinyurl.com/ydyjz8t8.

MJ, the new Broadway bio musical about Michael Jackson, postpones its opening from August to mid-April 2021: tinyurl.com/yd72c6pv.

Entertainment:

Alanis Morrissette and the cast of Jagged Little Pill will take part in an online benefit for The Actors Fund on May 19 at 8:00pm ET: tinyurl.com/yax7gfsk.

The Howard Ashman Celebration, honoring the great Broadway songwriter, streams May 20 - 31, will be a benefit for Broadway Cares: tinyurl.com/y9hppkxx.

Tonight at 7:00pm, ET: In support of online fundraiser Artist Relief Tree (ART), Jonathan Biss gives a free video recital of Schumann's Kreisleriana, selections from Janácek's On an Overgrown Path, and two works by Mozart -- Piano Sonata in F major, K 533/494, and Rondo in A minor, K 511. Viewers are encouraged to donate to ART, which was established to support artists affected financially by COVID-19. Go to: www.facebook.com/JonathanBiss/, www.facebook.com/artistrelieftree/, or tinyurl.com/ycshvl2h.

Obie Award-winning Metropolitan Playhouse will present a "screened" reading of Susan Glaspell and George Cram Cook's one-act comedy, Suppressed Desires, on live stream video, with special guest J. Ellen Gainor, of Cornell, participating in a post-show talk on May 16 at 8:00pm ET. The running time is 40 minutes. Go to www.metropolitanplayhouse.org/virtualplayhouse or tune in on WBAI Radio. 99.5 FM.

Norm Lewis and Kelli O'Hara will host the third and fourth Memorial for US All broadcasts sponsored by Lincoln Center, on May 17 and 24 at 6:00pm ET. The series, which launched May 3 with Wynton Marsalis, offers unity, comfort, and healing through music. Anyone who has lost a loved one during the pandemic is invited to submit the name of a friend or family member to be honored at tinyurl.com/y7ur5v8k For more information: tinyurl.com/y7lxzo9h.

Today at Lincoln Center at Home: Yo-Yo Ma plays Dvorak at 7:00pm ET. The Metropolitan Opera streams Benjamin Britten's Peter Grimes, at 7:30pm, starring Patricia Racette, Anthony Dean Griffey, and Anthony Michaels-Moore, conducted by Sir Donald Runnicles: lincolncenter.org/lincoln-center-at-home.

The Public Theater streaming of Richard Nelson's moving Apple Family drama, What Do We Need to Talk About?, has been extended through the end of June: tinyurl.com/ycwxb7bn.

On May 20, at 2:00pm Stars in the House, the online show that benefits The Actors Fund, will host a reading of George Bernard Shaw's Candida, starring Andréa Burns, Santino Fontana, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Jay O. Sanders, and Michael Benjamin Washington. David Staller, artistic director of the Gingold Theatre Group, which specializes in Shaw, narrates and directs: www.starsinthehouse.com/.

That's all for today. Stay safe.

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