“The Office! A Musical Parody” reopened last Friday, April 9 in the Jerry Orbach Theater at the The Theater Center on W. 50th Street. The unauthorized version of the hit TV series is among the first Off-Broadway shows to resume in-person performances in New York City. NOTE: Performances currently are allowed to run at 33% capacity.
The production originally opened in the Fall of 2018 but came to halt on March 15, 2020 – one full year ago – just as the Coronavirus pandemic was declared and small entertainment venues closed.
Reports indicate that ticket sales for that 33% capacity went well.
Adherence to Safety Precautions
According to a press release, the reopening at The Theater Center includes numerous safety precautions, upgrades and protocols being put in place:
Everyone who works in the building (actors, stage managers, dressers, technicians, treasurers, house managers and ushers) will all be fully vaccinated.
Everyone entering The Theater Center must wear masks and follow social distancing protocols. All audience members and staff will wear masks at all times. The Theater Center has worked with Ticketmaster to create an easy-to-use contactless ticketing service as well contact tracing.
Newly installed ten Atmosair Matterhorn 1002 “Air Scrubbers,” an innovative Bi-polar ionization system that will catch and kill contaminants in the air throughout the entire complex. It is the same system used by NASA and many hospitals across the country. These units fill the venue with hospital grade air that captures and neutralizes viruses, bacteria, and VOC’s as they happen in real time.
Added Sensedge Air Quality monitors on each floor so patrons can check the quality of the air throughout the space when they first enter the lobby.
Upgraded its HVAC filters to utilize MERV13 filters.
Staff are following all the CDC and NYDOH guidelines for hourly and daily deep disinfection cleaning.
Covid Compliance Officers are on staff to ensure safety protocols are in place and adhered to at all times
All audience members will be seated in “pods” with the people they came with. Each pod is socially distanced from the next.
Building capacity limits will always be posted in plain sight and followed accordingly to state and local guidelines.
Cast and Creatives
The cast for the reopened show includes Emma Brock as Michael Scott, Laura Mehl as Pam, Danny Adam as Jim, Devina Sebnis as Kelly, Nathan David Smith as Dwight, Emily Qualmann as Phyllis, Gabrielle Filloux as Angela, Bob McSmith as Creed, Kevin Bruce Harris as Stanley, and Marissa Hecker and Andy Martinez in various other roles.
The Office! A Musical Parody features a book and lyrics by Bob and Tobly McSmith, music by Assaf Gleizner and direction and choreography by Donald Garverick. Scenic designer is Josh Iacovelli, lighting designer is Alex Stevens, sound designer is Matthew Fischer and costume designer is Dustin Cross.
Performances
The initial performance schedule is as follows:
Thursdays at 7:30 PM
Fridays at 7:30 PM
Saturdays 2:00 & 8:00 PM
Sundays at 3:00 PM
Tickets range in price from $52 – $80. Call the box office at 212-921-7862 or go to ticketmaster.com for tickets or for more information.