Hugh Jackman and Amy Schumer among stars taking part in New York Arts Revival initiative

Photo credit: Vianney Le Caer, Invision

Hugh Jackman, Renee Fleming and Amy Schumer are among 150 artists taking part in the New York Arts Revival Initiative to help bring back cultural events to the city and provide employment for performers in the wake of the pandemic.

A series of statewide pop-up performances will start on 4 February, spearheaded by producers Scott Rudin and Jane Rosenthal, along with the New York State Council on the Arts.

The initiative will also examine how socially distanced performances can go ahead safely and will distribute grants to help artists get back into work, with funding being given to community arts groups.

US State Governor Andrew Cuomo hopes to expand rapid COVID-19 testing in an effort to allow people to be tested ahead of entering restaurants or theatres.  He said: "New York City is not New York without Broadway.”