Jamie Lloyd on Evita coming to Broadway "trying to find a theatre with a balcony"

[mitchern]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 1:20pm

https://packaged-media.redd.it/qqcbieovxzrf1/pb/m2-res_480p.mp4?m=DASHPlaylist.mpd&v=1&e=1759179600&s=f9bbe02b5fb000c54b9978a2e5344182b6c46133

[Kad]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 1:37pm

Not surprising, particularly considering most of the discussion here has been about potential theatres, but it is interesting to me how non-definitive Lloyd is about the transfer. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 1:41pm

Apparently Tim Rice gave an interview the other day as well saying he didn’t think it would happen. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 1:46pm

The Palace is lowkey the obvious choice but it would not work considering the balcony faces Times Square and that would create a logistical nightmare and innumerable safety issues.

The Majestic could work if they are allowed to repurpose the fire escape, but that is also a safety hazard.

Honestly, I think Tim has the right idea. Unless they are willing to omit the one major production element that was a draw for this production, it’s not gonna work.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 1:59pm

It’s too bad the New Victory Theatre isn’t a broadway house, because that front stairway would look so good.

[Kad]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 2:06pm

Frankly, I think the other very major hurdle is the logistics of having what is essentially a one-song public concert 6 days a week in an extremely busy area. I really don’t know whether the city would permit something like that 8 times a week. 

Updated On: 9/29/25 at 02:06 PM

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 2:09pm

Call_me_jorge said: "It’s too bad the New Victory Theatre isn’t a broadway house, because that front stairway would look so good."

I always wish producers could petition the Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing to include productions in alternative spaces as broadway/Tony-Eligible. I don't have any spaces in mind with a balcony but it would certainly widen the net in the search. I get they want the awards and attention and "on broadway!" of it all so I think they should be able to say "Hey, we're not trying to make this space a permanent broadway but if we play X space which fits all other criteria can we get Tony noms?" For example, Here Lies Love could have had 500 tickets in a more warehouse/former nightclub space and not had to have spent millions renovating a theatre.

[pablitonizer]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 2:51pm

I don't think this scene would work in the US tbh. It's a way more dangerous environment than the UK. I'm not saying they won't find a way to do it, but doing it on a open space without security... a big no for me!

 

 

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 3:06pm

FWIW, London has ample security on the ground and alongside her in the balcony. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 3:18pm

pablitonizer said: "I don't think this scene would work in the US tbh. It's a way more dangerous environment than the UK. I'm not saying they won't find a way to do it, but doing it on a open space without security... a big no for me!

Yeah, even if she has security beside her or down below, it's still a public street and incredibly dangerous for an outspoken Woman of Color to be exposed to any insane person who wants to hurt her, considering what occurs almost daily in America. Scary.

Updated On: 9/29/25 at 03:18 PM

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 3:32pm

I've already imagined they will need a bulletproof barrier between her and the street.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 3:33pm

Jesus, you're right. Sigh.

[merle57]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 3:35pm

The safety for the actress is an issue in with shooting massacres on a weekly basis in America, but also the safety for the crowds outside which become a traffic hazard as well as an invitation for a Vegas styled shooting incident. The NY theatre district is not safe like the theatre district in London.  

The other unspoken problem is the heavy  financial loss of his Sunset Blvd which received a Tony for the production and the lead actress, sold very well at the box office, but still  lost over 6 million dollars. Even if it had sold every single ticket during its run, it still would barely have paid back it investment. 

 

[BJR]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 3:41pm

merle57 said: "The other unspoken problem is the heavy financial loss of his Sunset Blvd which received a Tony for the production and the lead actress, sold very well at the box office,but still lost over 6 million dollars. Even if it had sold every single ticket during its run, it still would barely have paid back it investment."

I think this is really the hold-up. 

[chernjam]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 4:07pm

My guess has been to see how Queen of Versailles does.  If the St James should become available I think we might see it this Spring

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 5:13pm

I don’t even care if this comes to Broadway or not. The way Webber talks about it is like he’s resigned himself to the fact that it won’t make any money so why bother. Just release the full album please.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 6:03pm

CATSNYrevival said: "I don’t even care if this comes to Broadway or not. The way Webber talks about it is like he’s resigned himself to the fact that it won’t make any money so why bother. Just release the full album please."

This...and **** it, just reopen on the West End.  Make Broadway come to London.

[schubox]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 6:56pm

merle57 said: "The safety for the actress is an issue in with shooting massacres on a weekly basis in America, but also the safety for the crowds outside which become a traffic hazard as well as an invitation for a Vegas styled shooting incident. The NY theatre district is not safe like the theatre district in London.

The other unspoken problem is the heavy financial loss of his Sunset Blvd which received a Tony for the production and the lead actress, sold very well at the box office,but still lost over 6 million dollars. Even if it had sold every single ticket during its run, it still would barely have paid back it investment.

"

A shooter doesn't need this to get an insane crowd in Times Square

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 7:29pm

Play Esq. said: "CATSNYrevival said: "I don’t even care if this comes to Broadway or not. The way Webber talks about it is like he’s resigned himself to the fact that it won’t make any money so why bother. Just release the full album please."

This...and **** it, just reopen on the West End. Make Broadway come to London."

+1 just remount it in London for a few months if scheduling is not a problem. 
 

I missed it when it was running in London, would like to have another chance to see it.   LOL

[BobbyBaccalieri]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 8:57pm

CATSNYrevival said: "I don’t even care if this comes to Broadway or not. The way Webber talks about it is like he’s resigned himself to the fact that it won’t make any money so why bother. Just release the full album please."

Even the way Jamie responded to the question sounded less than enthusiastic. I’d put money on it not transferring. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 9:15pm

nasty_khakis said: "Call_me_jorge said: "It’s too bad the New Victory Theatre isn’t a broadway house, because that front stairway would look so good."

I always wish producers could petition the Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing to include productions in alternative spaces as broadway/Tony-Eligible. I don't have any spaces in mind with a balcony but it would certainly widen the net in the search. I get they want the awards and attention and "on broadway!" of it all so I think they should be able to say "Hey, we're not trying to make this space a permanent broadway but if we play X space which fits all other criteria can we get Tony noms?" For example, Here Lies Love could have had 500 tickets in a more warehouse/former nightclub space and not had to have spent millions renovating a theatre."

Oh you know the theatre owners would never let this happen, lol.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 9:46pm

I think that is a good idea. 

Failing that, I can only think of two theatres where I could see a balcony scene working, taking into consideration public safety, managing traffic in and around Times Square: (1) the Vivian Beaumont, which is clearly away from traffic.  I can imagine that, as part of the production costs, they could work something out to build a balcony outdoors or to use the loge mezzanine, in which case the crowd would need to be in the lobby of the theatre.

The Shubert.  I cannot remember whether there is a balcony there that can be used or whether they would need to build one.  Shubert Alley seems to me to be the best option for the crowd scene.  There would clearly need to be extra security making sure that 44th St. traffic did not stop (noise?), but in the past Shubert Alley has managed to hold a lot of people who were watching events being held in the Alley.

I just can't see NYC allowing them to close NYC streets 8 times a week for a Broadway show number.  It needs to be somewhere that traffic is not an issue or can be reasonably managed without causing major anxiety for many unsuspecting drivers in mid-town Manhattan.  I can think of no other theatre that provides a Shubert Alley type of option.  The London Palladium is in a narrow street which, although super close to Picadilly Circus, would not disrupt traffic the way virtually any Broadway theatre would do.

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 9/30/25 at 1:36am

For those that saw the production in London, is it special enough to play Broadway without the balcony gimmick?

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 9/30/25 at 2:11am

She’ll get shot in New York. 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 9/30/25 at 3:16am

Take the Palace and utilize the new TSX stage that hosts concerts facing Times Square.