CURSED CHILD to alter BW production — Page 2

DrewJoseph said: "IF cursed child would be closing. What do you guys recon would happen to the lyric, design wise? I absolutely love the new look and auditorium and would think they would want to keep it this way? Then again, so much of Harry Potter lore has been integrated in the wallpaper and floors and such that it kinda feels weird to do that?
Id hate to see it returned to how it used to be before this show."

I don’t know what was in an Ambassador Theatre Group in the West End, but even as cavernous as the theatre would be for any show other than Cursed Child, I think a transfer of the West End revival City of Angels that closed early could work well in the space. Or would the Lyric be better suited as a house for a big blockbuster type of musical?

I would think it's in their contract to restore the theater to its original design/intent. But, I haven't been in there so I can't speak to how drastic it is, but the theater owners might enjoy having a smaller space. Who knows. It is funny they took two theaters and put them together and now they went to back to one smaller theater.

In regards to the Lyric, I imagine ATG would remove or change some or all of the elements that are related to Harry Potter when the show eventually closes but I suspect that they'll keep the auditorium mostly intact.

VotePeron said: "I can’t find a link, but there was an article a few years ago about another Broadway show whose budget/capitalization had to include $XX to restore the theater back to its original state. Maybe Great Comet? "

That is standard, but Harry Potter was vigorously pursued by all of the landlords, who were quite willing to bare almost any cost to get the show. I would bet waiving any restoration costs was included in the offer.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/28/theater/harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child-broadway-return.html

Looks like it's becoming official?

Good writeup as per usual from Mr. Paulson, but it is worth noting Part One will be 2 hours 40, and Part Two will be 2 hours 35, all presented in one single performance.

I thought (and had previously heard) this condensed “Potter” wasn’t going to happen until sometime next year, so I’m so glad this is getting back on its feet sooner than expected.

Edited: Nobody knows yet how long this single part will be, but it probably won’t be 5+ hours like the pre-COVID production. Sorry about the above mention.

Updated On: 6/28/21 at 03:38 PM

DrewJoseph said: "Is there any way in the world they’ll have shows before the 16th? Like try-outs? I’ll be leaving NYC on the 13th and can’t believe I’ll miss this by 3 days?! "

….They’d never do that. The show has to do casting, read throughs potential edits of the new show, tech…they wouldn’t open it until they’re satisfied with the new version. Plus they’ve already had so much time with the pandemic. So no, that wouldn’t happen.

Call_me_jorge said: "How will this work contracts wise? Will this be considered a new production? I wonder if they might try to be eligible for the 2022 tony awards… also, hope they don’t cut down on the cast. Would hate to see people lose jobs…"

Yeah - an old schoolmate of mine was in rehearsals as a replacement when the shutdown happened. It was to be their Broadway debut. I know “that’s show biz” and all but it would be almost cruel to dispense with some of the actors.

Jordan Catalano said: "I think a trimmed version could very well be a much bigger success than a two part version that excludes a lot of tourists who just don’t have the time to see both. "

It's anecdotal, but I know quite a few people who were only in the city for a day or two and wanted to see Harry Potter, but the 2-part nature of the show prevented that.

Updated On: 6/28/21 at 09:38 PM

Call_me_jorge said: "I wonder if they might try to be eligible for the 2022 tony awards”


There is no way on earth. That would be some utter bs.

I imagine it would be treated like any other show that makes changes to the material during the run. Lion King made some big cuts in 2010, but you didn’t see them vying for best revival. Granted, these changes are much more drastic, to a degree that I’m guessing is unprecedented. But on principal it’s essentially the same thing.

(If this post sounds aggressive, I don’t mean to direct it at you, Jorge. It’s just that I’m appalled even imagining a scenario in which something like this would be allowed at the Tonys, even though it hasn’t, and almost certainly won’t happen in real life)


EDIT, regarding the other productions remaining 2-parts: I imagine those productions are also not as reliant on international tourists, whose time constraints are generally the most prohibitive.

Updated On: 6/28/21 at 10:43 PM