New Jersey Stage Issue 73 | Page 38

As a writer, Van Zandt says his life during the pandemic has not been that different from his life pre-pandemic. The obvious difference is that there are no tv shows being shot and none of his plays are being performed right now. And, of course, he imagined spending the summer on a book tour but is doing podcasts from home instead. He does miss coming back to New Jersey though. He’s proud of his family’s roots in Monmouth County, which go back to the early 1600s. One regret is that his kids were the first two Van Zandts’ not born in the Garden State. Asked when he thinks live theatre will return and he paints a depressing picture. He’s been in contact with theatres that have told him they are planning on removing two out of every three seats. Knowing the financial side of running a company he asks, “Name a theatre that can survive on 30% capacity?” He also points out that having an audience get sick two weeks after a show is a horrible thought and one that could endanger theatres. New Jersey Stage Store NJ STAGE - ISSUE 73 INDEX NEXT ARTICLE 38