Benjamin Button's Chances for Success?

It's heavily rumored to be transferring to Broadway.

Did you already see the extension? It's not on the Public's website...

The Public run will generate buzz mostly by virtue of being sold out before performances even begin. Opening off-Broadway early enough in the season to transfer by spring seems like the goal, but even with ecstatic word of mouth, I don’t see this ultimately doing well commercially even if it collects nominations/awards. It only ran a year in London once it transferred to the West End (where limited runs and repeated extensions imply scarcity and demand that doesn’t actually exist) and that theater is teeny in comparison to most of our houses (the Ambassadors seats under 500). Plus, I think the regional specificity will make it near-impenetrable to a good chunk of Americans.

Updated On: 9/2/26 at 10:24 AM

what size theatre will this need/want for a transfer?

CoffeeBreak said: "They have a theater already. It's east of Broadway."

I assume this means it's moving in after a beloved former Vice President vacates.

The Public run will extend thru December 13 eventually (making them $$). Prior to the announcement and eventual move uptown.

Updated On: 9/5/26 at 03:49 PM

This show at least might make financial sense on Broadway. 13 actors who play instruments so no additional musicians. One set that never really changes. They can have some time to build their audience. I think this season is shaping up to be interesting, particularly with Paddington, Warriors, The Heart, and Benjamin Button.

Magic2Do said: "...and the London production was built on actor-musicians -- the whole company plays. That staging conceit is either going to be the thing everyone raves about or the thing that reads as twee to a New York crowd. I genuinely cannot predict it."

That conceit is not new to New York theatergoers. John Doyle staged a couple of high-profile minimalist Sondheims a couple of decades ago where the actors served as their own orchestra. I, personally, thought it was a distracting anti-dramatic device that did not serve Sweeney or Company well.

ACL2006 said: "This, Paddington and Warriors battling it out for Best Musical this season!!!"

Wouldn’t be surprised if this makes a surprise transfer at the last minute…I mean it’s pretty much almost sold out at the Public so this wouldn’t be a shock to me…and if it does happen, i think it’s gonna be between this, Paddington, Wanted & Warriors battling it out for best musical this season

Theatrefanboy1 said: "any thoughts on the chances of it playing in NY somewhere the first week of March 2027?"

Your guess is as good as ours. All signs point to it opening on Broadway before the typical April cut-off, but we’ll see. Late additions to the season tend to open in mid-March to early April.

DaveyG said: "If Mormon closes in January, it would be a great fit for the O’Neill"

I can actually see the show going into the Hudson Theater given how much the actor-musicians are on stage, especially since Hudson is one of the few Broadway theaters that has no orchestra pit.