Global pandemic postpones this year’s Tony Awards

NEW YORK » With Broadway shuttered amid the coronavirus pandemic, producers of the annual Tony Awards have postponed this year’s celebration of American theater.

The show was scheduled for June 7, but the virus forced all 41 Broadway theaters to go dark and caused turmoil in the Tony schedule. The awards show will be rescheduled at a later date, according to producers.

Broadway theaters abruptly closed on March 12, knocking out all shows on the Great White Way along with 16 that were still scheduled to open, including “Diana,” “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Company.” Already some shows scheduled to open this spring have abandoned their plans.

Broadway producers have vowed to resume musicals and plays the week of April 13, but that would be only 10 days before the official cut-off for eligibility for the Tonys. There was no word on whether the original timetable will stay, but all signs indicate the eligibil

James Taylor, wife donate $1M to help fight virus pandemic

BOSTON » James Taylor and his wife, Kim, have donated $1 million to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston to support the fight against the spread of the coronavirus.

The gift will support the hospital’s Emergency Response Fund, established in response to the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 to provide flexible resources that can be deployed quickly to support immediate needs.

The money will help the hospital direct resources where the need is greatest, whether for purchasing supplies and equipment, repurposing space, or furthering research, the hospital said in a statement.

Taylor, 72, has deep ties to the hospital. His father, Dr. Isaac Taylor, completed his residency in internal medicine, served as chief resident and conducted research there. James Taylor was born there in 1948.

Elton John