Certainly did NOT expect this! Guess it makes sense to do some repairs on the Helen Hayes, but I think they're getting a little too greedy moving this to the Schoenfeld:
Don't know if greedy is actually the right word. The Hayes worked perfectly because it was so small. While the Schoenfeld is still pretty small by Broadway standards, it is still almost double the size. I just wish there was another small theater that The Humans could have moved to in order to keep that intimate feeling.
The Humans was always supposed to vacate the Hayes by August 1 for renovations. That was part of their agreement with Second Stage. The show was on sale thru Dec at the Hayes which I thought was odd and possibly meant something happened with the renovations plan, so was not surprised to hear it is transferring.
I don't understand the greed comment any more than anyone else, and I am surprised by the move because I thought they'd be able to work out a deal to postpone renovations for a bit. Maybe Scott thinks he has a show that will run a long time. Or maybe 2ST was not in a mood to negotiate.
It's not greedy at all. I heard that Second Stage wasn't letting them stay past a certain date, and since the show is selling so well it makes no sense to close it. I'm a fan of the play, but regardless it's exciting that a new American play with no movie stars is doing well on Broadway.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
HogansHero said: "I don't understand the greed comment any more than anyone else, and I am surprised by the move because I thought they'd be able to work out a deal to postpone renovations for a bit. Maybe Scott thinks he has a show that will run a long time. Or maybe 2ST was not in a mood to negotiate.
"
From what I heard, from very reliable sources, Second Stage needed them out by a particular date because renovations needed to start by August 1 or so for certain tax breaks/grant funding to kick in
Nothing to do with tax breaks, only capital campaign funding and other related contingencies. 2ST is on a two-year funding plan and capital campaign that doesn't allow for "open ended" delays. They vacating is no surprise. The move to another theater, however, is. Good luck to THE HUMANS
how is the being greedy?? They have to be out by August 1 & the show is doing well. Why not move it to another theater. In terms of smaller theaters, there's about 10 smaller than the Schoenfeld, but none are available except the Circle and the whole show would need to be restaged if it moved there.
American Airlines - The Cherry Orchard
Friedman - Heisenberg
Golden - The Encounter
Lyceum - Fully Committed[closes July 31, The Humans would be dark for about a month before it could reopen here]
Walker Kerr - Falsettos
Music Box - Shuffle Along
Studio 54 - Holiday Inn
Belasco - Dear Evan Hansen
Barrymore - Curious Incident[closing Sept. 4]
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
Good for them. I am continually surprised and immensely impressed that a frankly underwhelming play (with top-notch acting, don't get me wrong) is selling like gangbusters. In this day and age, it's a total feat.
The Booth would seem the ideal theater for the Humans to play. Then, Les Liaisons Dangereuse could play the Schoenfeld. LLD is playing for 12 weeks, so a bigger house for a bigger production makes sense. At this point it would seem doable.
I see less as greedy but more as ambitious. Really curious to see what the finances will be like after the transfer.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
I think Second Stage was ready and eager to start their renovation project. If they kept letting shows lease the theater (or in this case, extend) they would have never got their work done.
That being said, I'm still surprised by this news. Less because of the success of The Humans, which I personally loved and will continue to root for, and more for the size of the house they are moving too. I understand the lack of availability in houses, I just have to wonder how they will do in a house twice the size.
There is no greed here. There is a want for a great new American play to continue forward. There is a passion for a project that has found success without celebrity or flashy lights or musical numbers which is a rare occurance these days. Congrats to all involved.
Would the renovations for the St James and Helen Hayes coincide?
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Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
HogansHero said: "vampire musical said: "Did anyone else notice there was no mention of Second Stage in that article? Am I reading too much into that?"
no and yes. what would you have wanted it to say?
"
I dunno. Something about why the renovations are happening and a quick mention of Second Stage and it's purchase of the Hayes, etc. I feel like these types of press releases always have additional details like that. That and...I guess I'm surprised Second Stage pulled together the funding. A few months ago it seemed dire and the vultures were circling. Now renovations are happening. Just didn't seem likely.