Among the first of the NYC venues to reopen on April 2, in accordance with Mayor Bill de Blasio’s safety guidelines for the return of live performances, is The Green Room 42. Located on the 4th floor of the YOTEL at Tenth Avenue and 42nd Street, the hotspot attracts both tourists staying at the hotel and local fans who have become regulars.
Founded in 2017, the intimate cabaret space has become a home base for a number of stars from the Broadway stage, including Tony winner Lillias White, scheduled for 7 pm on this Friday’s reopening date and the following night, and The Boy Band Project, who have made frequent appearances, not just at night, but with their recurrent Boy Band Brunch on Sunday afternoons at 2.
With the pandemic protocol in place, the Easter resurrection of the award-winning show of steamy boy-band covers and choreography, original songs, and videos will be a little different. Audience capacity is limited to 33%, social distancing will be observed, and masks will be required at all times. There will be no food or beverage service inside, but tickets purchased will include a $10 food-and-beverage credit that can be enjoyed conveniently on the same floor, at the Green Fig restaurant’s rooftop terrace, just steps outside of the club (the voucher can be collected at the box office starting three hours prior to show time).
I spoke with The Boy Band Project’s creator, producer, and member Travis Nesbitt about what to expect and how they feel about their return to the stage.
When the audience arrives, what will be the procedure for entry?
Travis: In order to keep audience members safe, the brunch service will happen just outside the cabaret theater, on the YOTEL terrace, before and/or after the show. The theater won’t open until fifteen minutes before each performance and each party must remain six feet from each other before entering. The staff is screened daily and vaccinated wherever possible, and audience members will have temperatures taken and information collected for contact tracing, all in keeping with the New York State Entertainment Venue guidelines.
Can you give us a preview of the set list for this Sunday?
Travis: Heck no!! Surprising our audiences is part of the fun. I will say that we may or may not be kickin’ it a tiny bit ‘Old School.’
What will be the main difference between past performances of the Boy Band Brunch and the new version?
Travis: We will be EXTREMELY committed to keeping the twelve feet of distance between us and the audience. Normally, we perform at and all around the tables, and bring someone on stage at one point during the show to ‘get up in their business.’ That will not be happening for a while, but we’ve already experimented with this ‘socially-distanced’ version of the show and the response has been AMAZING.
Do you have any concerns about reopening?
Travis: I want people to know how serious we are about the precautions and regulations being implemented in order to allow us to perform. Our commitment to keeping people safe allows us to do our job. We are by no means minimizing the gravity of the global pandemic, and we are profoundly grateful for the opportunity to make money doing what we do best.
What are you most looking forward to with the return of The Green Room 42 programming?
Travis: Reconnecting with all the wonderful humans involved with Boy Band Brunch and The Green Room 42. It’s such a special venue for us and it feels like it’s been an eternity since we’ve performed there.
Many thanks, Travis, for giving our readers a peek at the reopening strategy and the highly anticipated return of the acclaimed show! I look forward to joining you again soon.
Boy Band Brunch plays on Sunday, April 4 (and every Sunday), at 2 pm, at The Green Room 42, 570 Tenth Avenue, 4th floor. For tickets, call (646) 707-2990, or go online.
