Is Rock of Ages closing/moving?

[rorschach37]

Posted: 5/23/12 at 2:52pm

http://www.2st.com/2st_on_broadway/overview

Second Stage is looking to move into the Helen Hayes. I found this pretty surprising because Rock of Ages has still been making its weekly cost and is gaining some more popularity with the movie coming out in a few weeks.

[JP2]

Posted: 5/23/12 at 3:37pm

This seems... odd.

[bobs3]

Posted: 5/23/12 at 3:43pm

I can't see it closing anytime soon. It is playing at an average 90% capacity. The movie has lots of good buzz and will probably bring even more audiences into the Helen Hayes (especially over the summer tourist months). The success of the Mamma Mia film certainly did not hurt but rather helped the Broadway grosses of the show.

[henryt]

Posted: 5/23/12 at 3:55pm

Second Stage acquired the right to buy the theater in 2008, but it seems as though they are still raising money and have not actually purchased it yet. I would assume there is some sort of provision for this in the ROA contract since the deal had been made long before ROA moved in.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/23/12 at 3:55pm

The owners of the Helen Hayes have been in negotiations with Second Stage for several years now about selling them the space when the theatre company has the allotted funding. I think the first announcement was back in 2008.

[NakedMaid]

Posted: 5/23/12 at 3:57pm

The current contract with HH, 2ST and RoA states that 2ST can't take over until RoA decides to close on its on volition.
RoA has been gaining speed with the movie which is the exact reason the producers clawed their way thru the past year and a half to keep this production running.
Last week's avg ticket price was $102.
There have been interviews and camera crews in the theatre doing spots on the Bway show.

[bdn223]

Posted: 5/23/12 at 4:12pm

the real question is "Has Rock of Ages recouped yet?" since there has been no formal announcement...in the last 3 years. If I had to suspect the show has unusually high running costs due to the fact that they have to pay so many people for the music rights, unlike Jersey Boys and Mamma Mia which only pay the group, though in Jersey Boys their are maybe 2 songs by other groups, still their are too many cooks in the kitchen for Rock of Ages which can get expensive.
The producers said that part of the reason for their move to the Helen Hayes was in attempt to make the production cheaper, because they were apparently starting to loose money, despite making over 60% of their possible gross their entire run in the Atkinson. Honestly I believe that their cost are much higher than we think.
On the note of 2ST it must suck for them because they were hoping to get in after Xanadu , but then a donor fell through...then in 2013 and now if you are correct about the "no eviction" clause they have to wait even longer like i predict another 3 years at least to get it. If i were them i would see if they could take ownership and just collect rent from RoA because otherwise they will be collecting money for nothing, if RoA has a run like Mamma Mia which at this rate it will.

Updated On: 5/23/12 at 04:12 PM

[HogansHero]

Posted: 5/23/12 at 5:34pm

I seriously doubt ROA has a contract providing it can stay until it decides to leave. Rather, it has a standard stop clause contract with the theatre, and that contract survives a sale of the premises, unless the premises are no longer used as a theatre.

[Bwaydide92]

Posted: 5/23/12 at 6:07pm

I think NakedMaid meant that Second Stage can't kick them out if they raise the rest of the money needed. They have to either not be paying their rent or the producers have to decide to leave the theatre.

[Skywalker3]

Posted: 5/23/12 at 6:22pm

http://www.2st.com/about_2st/theatre

"Programming in the Helen Hayes will begin in 2013. Until that time, the current owner will continue to operate the theatre."

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 5/23/12 at 7:24pm

I knew Tim Tebow demanding the picture online be removed would have an impact on the show.

[Pammylicious]

Posted: 5/23/12 at 7:46pm

So when 2nd takes possesion of the theater will they (after ROA run) 1) Use it to put their productions on Broadway or 2)just become landlords. Will their productions now be considered Broadway not off-Broadway?

[theatreguy]

Posted: 5/23/12 at 8:06pm

They will use it to put on their own productions and it will continue to be considered a Broadway theater. Same situation as Manhattan Theatre Club at the Friedman or Roundabout at the American Airlines and Studio 54.

[theatreguy]

Posted: 5/23/12 at 8:09pm

They will use it to put on their own productions and it will continue to be considered a Broadway theater. Same situation as Manhattan Theatre Club at the Friedman or Roundabout at the American Airlines and Studio 54.