The Broadway League has announced that all of Broadway’s 41 theaters would remain shut down at least through Labor Day.

This simply recognizes the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the policy of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to reopen the arts and entertainment only in the last of four phases.

This is the third cancellation date that the League, the trade organization of producers and theater owners, has announced since the governor shut down Broadway theaters on March 12th, at a time when 39 productions were either running or scheduled to open. First, the plan was to reopen theaters on April 13. On April 8th, the League announced that it would extend the shutdown through June 7, 2020.

The League says that those holding tickets for performances through September 6, 2020 will receive an e-mail from their point of purchase with detailed information regarding refund and exchange options. “Any customers holding tickets through September 6, 2020 that have not received an e-mail by May 18th are advised to contact their point of purchase for assistance after this date.”

Last week, the Society of London Theater announced that shows in the West End have been canceled until June 28. “This does not mean theaters will reopen on 29 June,” the society’s announcement said. “If further cancellations are necessary they will continue to be announced on a rolling basis.”

That seems the unspoken reality on Broadway as well. One of the questions that remains is: Will audiences come back?