ATG US city plans?

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ATG US city plans?

Posted: 7/4/18 at 9:55pm

A few years ago, ATG announced plans to enter the US market and bought the Ford/Hilton/Foxwoods, named it the Lyric, and rehabbed and reopened the Hudson. Since then, they've also taken over the Colonial Theatre in Boston and have announced that they'll be handling operations for the Harry Potter sit-down at the Curran in SF and partnering with the theater owner.

If they want to be taken seriously as a competitive player for tours, how many theaters would they need? (realizing that in each city, I'd imagine that there are entrenched presenters owning the prime theaters

Also, what cities have prime (or convertable-to-prime) theaters available?

Updated On: 7/4/18 at 09:55 PM

ATG US city plans?

Posted: 7/5/18 at 12:39am

Nederlander owns theatres in ~10 cities, if that's the other major industry comparison?

Right now, ATG only has theatres in Texas, Louisiana, and the Colonial in Boston. Big cities like DC, Chicago, and LA would probably be good places to start (as long as the cities don't become oversaturated with touring venues like Boston).

ATG probably also needs 2 or 3 more theatres on Broadway to really become a major player. I wonder if they have made any offers to buy the Times Sq. Theatre or New Victory Theatre and convert into Bway houses? If Roundabout ever decides to give up one of their venues, I bet ATG would be quick to pounce.

ATG US city plans?

Posted: 7/5/18 at 1:11am

I had heard that ATG had been eyeing some of the sensational old movie palaces on Broadway street in downtown Los Angeles. They are absolutely stunning but would need enormous renovations and modifications to make them viable for major theatrical productions. I hope they do it though.

ATG US city plans?

Posted: 7/5/18 at 1:18am

I was unaware of Texas and Louisiana. I know the Nederlanders are big in major cities, including SF, but also hear other names.

As far as NY, from what I've read in the past (including here) the Times Square theater and perhaps the New Victory are unusable for load-in/out because the only access is from 42nd St. Although ATG has deep pockets and a cash cow (to scramble metaphors) - I'd think they would need a long-running hit at the Hudson to be considered a power in NY at this point.

Updated On: 7/5/18 at 01:18 AM

ATG US city plans?

Posted: 7/5/18 at 1:20am

You don't think having a long-running hit at the Lyric (like Harry Potter) is enough to earn their respect?

ATG US city plans?

Posted: 7/5/18 at 1:29am

Yeah - while you were posting that, I was editing-away "respect."
#1 - I'm so far from being in the business, what in the hell do I know? and #2, a fistfull of money or a big fat hit will probably get a measure of "respect" real fast.

However, I'd assume that HP might be discounted by some because of London/Sonia Friedman connections as not a "NY show" So - perhaps not "respect" but be considered a peer?

Updated On: 7/5/18 at 01:29 AM

ATG US city plans?

Posted: 7/5/18 at 1:43am

In order to become viewed as a peer in NYC (by the Shuberts, Jucamycn's etc) ATG simply needs to acquire more Broadway theatres. They won't likely ever be at the level of those two giants in terms of NYC real estate, but they are making an awfully impressive showing in a short period of time. I wouldn't at all be surprised to see ATG potentially snatch up Studio 54, The American Airlines and even Circle in the Square (the last of the privately owned theatres) sometime down the road.

ATG US city plans?

Posted: 7/5/18 at 6:08am

Basically, that's what I figured, which is why I was wondering about theaters elsewhere to help give them heft from a different angle.

Looking at your list:
- Who owns the AA theater? Is it still the Times Square Redevelopment Corp (or whatever that organization was/is called)
- In most scenarios including yours, Roundabout lets go of one or more theaters. Of the three under their control, I'd think the Sondheim would be most attractive to others. I know they don't own it, but I wonder if they could sublease it or transfer the lease for cash?
- Circle in the Square is a difficult house to make a profit in, and the in-the-round stage can be difficult to make the most of. ATG hasn't been shy about spending money to remodel theaters to their needs. If they wanted, would it be possible to transform that space into a traditional proscenium setup? (Not saying they should, by any means) I know that for many productions like Lady Day, a small stage was set up on the far end, but that sacrificed the seats behind, and I'd think complicated blocking with the vom at the opposite end.

I also wonder how hard they looked at the Helen Hayes as it went through years of protracted negotiations with Second Stage. ...and in a couple of years, if 2ST finds the deal burdensome, I wonder if ATG would be interested.

Another reason I asked about other cities, is those 41 theaters have been discussed at length (on a Broadway board, go figure!) - but less about other possibilities around the country.

Updated On: 7/5/18 at 06:08 AM

ATG US city plans?

Posted: 7/5/18 at 10:11am

SomethingPeculiar said: "Nederlander owns theatres in ~10 cities, if that's the other major industry comparison?

Right now,ATG only hastheatres in Texas, Louisiana, and theColonial in Boston. Big cities like DC, Chicago, and LA would probably be good places to start (as long as the cities don't become oversaturated with touring venues like Boston).

ATG probably also needs 2 or 3 more theatres on Broadway to really become a major player. I wonder if they have made any offers to buy the Times Sq. Theatre or New Victory Theatre and convert into Bway houses? If Roundabout ever decides to give up one of their venues, I bet ATG would be quick to pounce."

The best way for ATG to acquire more theatres would be to acquire Broadway Across America from John Gore. Broadway wise, I imagine if Roundabout were to divest the Sondheim, ATG would likely be interested, I couldn't see the AA or Studio 54 being divested.

I wonder if ATG could potentially acquire Jujamcyn, I don't see Jordan Roth selling it but it might be something ATG have looked at.

Updated On: 7/5/18 at 10:11 AM

#10

ATG US city plans?

Posted: 7/5/18 at 10:29am

I think Second Stage's agreement to acquire the Helen Hayes Theatre is something that goes back many years. I doubt ATG ever looked at that space.

I suppose anything is possible, but I don't think a structural change to turn the Circle in the Square into a proscenium house would ever be likely. But, in this theoretical guessing - perhaps ATG might use that space to import more productions from venues like The Young Vic which have a somewhat similar seating configuration.

The other space I could imagine ATG acquiring is the old Edison Theatre, where Oh Caclutta played for a decade. It's currently being used as a meeting space (tied to the Edison Hotel), but like the Hudson could likely be used for theatre productions again with some renovations.

#11

ATG US city plans?

Posted: 7/5/18 at 10:42am

^The Edison probably needs a bit more work done to it compared to the Hudson judging from recent pictures but certainly it's a possibility.

#12

ATG US city plans?

Posted: 7/5/18 at 11:06am

I would imagine as long as the Theatre School at Circle in the Sq still exists, those owners will hold onto it for dear life. And its shape is iconic. (Though, is the building itself owned by Nederlander because it's below the Gershwin?)

I think ATG is very respected on Broadway, but they just don't have the real estate assets of Jujamcyn or even Roundabout yet. And they're probably not the only ones on the hunt for theaters - I bet Jujamcyn would gladly scoop up another if they could.

#13

ATG US city plans?

Posted: 7/5/18 at 11:29am

Would it ever be possible to make the Little Shubert or whatever they're calling it these days a legit Broadway house? I always though it felt like a Broadway theater. It's big, it's got a great stage. It only needs a handful more seats to be deemed a Broadway house. I can understand the location might not be ideal, but, if you've got a hit, you've got a hit, so I don't think location matters.

#14

ATG US city plans?

Posted: 7/5/18 at 11:31am

I'm sure both the Shuberts and Jujamycn were presented with opportunities to acquire the Hudson and the Lyric. What is so impressive about ATG is that they clearly outbid their competitors to get the properties. They are showing a tenacity and eagerness that has quickly made them a major player.

I don't know what is going on with the Little Shubert, but for some reason, the Shubert Organization has clearly opted against adding the additional seats to make that a Broadway venue and indeed has seemed okay with letting the space sit mostly unoccupied. Some have theorized its a major tax-write off for the organization. There is a new production of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE opening there next month - it looks like it has more potential to have a respectable run at the Little Shubert than anything else I can remember playing that theatre.

Updated On: 7/5/18 at 11:31 AM

#15

ATG US city plans?

Posted: 7/5/18 at 12:05pm

It's just such a great space and we need more smaller play/musical houses, and I think it'd be a great fit, and it's not that far of a walk and it's next to all the the other major off-Broadway theaters.

#16

ATG US city plans?

Posted: 7/5/18 at 12:22pm

ATG also owns the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn.

"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008

#17

ATG US city plans?

Posted: 7/5/18 at 3:30pm

Jonwo said: "The best way for ATG to acquire more theatres would be to acquire Broadway Across America from John Gore. Broadway wise, I imagine if Roundabout were to divest the Sondheim, ATG would likely be interested, I couldn't see the AA or Studio 54 being divested.

I wonder if ATG could potentially acquire Jujamcyn, I don't see Jordan Roth selling it but it might be something ATG have looked at."

Does Broadway Across America actually own any of the venues that they present in throughout the country, or do they partner with the local presenters/owners to plan their seasons?

#18

ATG US city plans?

Posted: 7/5/18 at 4:55pm

Just remembered: ATG also had a change in senior execs in 2016 when their 2 founders left the company and new leadership team came in. (That was before the official opening of the Hudson and before HP)

I really admire their commitment to their audiences/venues. Hopefully their business ventures are successful.

#19

ATG US city plans?

Posted: 7/6/18 at 12:48am

They are hands down the best landlords on Broadway. When I was in London I LOVED going to their theaters. It didn't feel over priced, and I felt like for what I was getting, the price was worth it.

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