Eugene O’Neil Theatre on fire!!

[brdwybound04]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 10:53am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Two-Alarm-Fire-Ongoing-at-Broadways-Eugene-ONeill-Theatre-20260504

[brdwybound04]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 10:54am

How tragic! I hope they can get this under control ASAP, and that this historic theatre isn’t lost, and that Book of Mormon can continue running!! 😰

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 10:59am

I'm assuming the show tomorrow is likely canceled? 

[brdwybound04]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 11:17am

Upgraded to a 3 alarm fire!! How sad 😰

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 11:37am

https://playbill.com/article/report-fire-breaks-out-at-broadways-eugene-oneill-theatre-home-to-the-book-of-mormon

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 11:48am

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/eugene-oneill-theatre-fire/

[TheOtherOne2]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 11:52am

Terrible news, but at least this didn't happen during a performance.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 12:00pm

Damn, tragic. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 12:12pm

If there's significant damage, does this close the show? Or would they be able to change theaters? What a way to celebrate their 15th anniversary... Thankfully nobody was hurt.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 12:24pm

Fire looks to be isolated to the roof area, which is several stories up. If anything, upper floor dressing rooms were affected. Firefighters didn’t go in thru ground level entrances so it’s safe to assume the stage, lobby, and all levels concerning the performance spaces weren’t affected. 

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 12:26pm

The fire and smoke aren't the only things that cause damage. Most likely, there will be significant water damage through the top floors. If any costumes are stored up there, they're likely destroyed. 

We dealt with a bad fire two floors above our apartment a few years ago. Thankfully, we were several units away from that line, so we were not offected, but multiple neighbors in the floors below experienced significant water damage. 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 12:27pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Fire looks to be isolated to the roof area, which is several stories up. If anything, upper floor dressing rooms were affected. Firefighters didn’t go in thru ground level entrances so it’s safe to assume the stage, lobby, and all levels concerning the performance spaces weren’t affected."

 

Is it though?  It all depends on water damage.

[Kad]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 12:29pm

I would assume they will need to do some kind of assessment to determine the scope of damage and ensure the structural integrity of the roof and building remains sound before the building can be used.  

[ACL2006]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 12:34pm

I guess it's safe to assume they won't be able to have performances this week? Or possibly switch theaters temporarily to do concert versions?

[Kad]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 12:35pm

ACL2006 said: "I guess it's safe to assume they won't be able to have performances this week? Or possibly switch theaters temporarily to do concert versions?"

It's too soon to tell. We barely have any information other than there was a fire. 

But- which theater would they go to? Nothing is available right now. 

Updated On: 5/4/26 at 12:35 PM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 12:37pm

The fire has now been extinguished, and the building will be out of service for some time. 

“At a press conference, FDNY Fire Chief David Simms stated the fire started in the electrical room between the fourth and fifth floor. After that fire was contained more fire was discovered between the fifth floor and the roof. The fire was reportedly difficult to get to, and one firefighter was injured responding to the blaze.

No damage was sustained to the auditorium, the fire and response was limited to the backstage areas. The building, per the FDNY, will be out of service pending repairs, with the NYC Department of Buildings investigating further. There is reportedly some water damage inside the building.”

 

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 12:37pm

Video from above from 7 News:

 

https://www.facebook.com/ABC7NY/videos/the-fire-broke-out-just-before-1030-am-monday-at-the-eugene-oneill-theatre-on-we/963246143335769/

[saxpower]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 12:43pm

3-Alarm fire would seem pretty serious.  NY Post says 60 FDNY units responding. Admittedly, there are reasons to "overrespond" to a fire in one of the theatres, but the scope of the response is concerning.  Is there anything between the auditorium ceiling and the part of the roof where the fire is? In other words, would a fire on the roof have anything to "work through" before getting to the ceiling?

Hopefully, whatever damage can be fixed reasonably quickly and/or with minimal disruption to performances.  As someone noted, first step will be to assess damage and, if necessary, structural integrity.  

[ACL2006]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 12:45pm

"the building will be out of service for some time"... Doesn't sound good. Will the cast and crew keep getting paid if the show is dark long-term?

 

Again, do they consider changing theaters, especially if the set isn't damaged?

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 12:48pm

How unfortunate this happened, I'm glad no one was hurt. I doubt they can just move theaters though. 

[blaxx]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 12:55pm

Kad said: "ACL2006 said: "I guess it's safe to assume they won't be able to have performances this week? Or possibly switch theaters temporarily to do concert versions?"

It's too soon to tell. We barely have any information other than there was a fire.

But- which theater would they go to? Nothing is available right now."

The Majestic and I'm not being snarky.

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 1:01pm

ACL2006 said: ""the building will be out of service for some time"... Doesn't sound good. Will the cast and crew keep getting paid if the show is dark long-term?



Again, do they consider changing theaters, especially if the set isn't damaged?"

 

Seems to me that they would just stay put until the damage is repaired. (Seems like a lot of electrical damage) Don't know how much it would cost but it might be more expensive to move than to stay put and resume performances when they are able to (Unless it is a very long period of time). I am sure the show will announce something after the fire investigation is done.  Also, I would think but don't know how it works, that the production won't have to pay rent/costs to be there if it wasn't their "fault". Just my thoughts. 

Was told they most likely have performance interruption insurance and most likely will not have to pay or lose money. And the theater most surely has insurance to cover any losses.

 

Updated On: 5/4/26 at 01:01 PM

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 1:15pm

There is certainly production insurance that will help cover some loses if the show goes dark for a week or two.

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 1:15pm

I think a best case scenario is they're shut down for three to four days at the least until it's confirmed there's no permanent structural damage. But that's in a dream world. This is looking to be several weeks. Just glad no one is hurt.

Updated On: 5/4/26 at 01:15 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/4/26 at 1:18pm

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "There is certainly production insurance that will help cover some loses if the show goes dark for a week or two."

Just edited my comment above after speaking to a friend in the business. And yes, the show probably has performance interruption insurance and the theater has insurance also to cover losses.