PARAMOUR to Close as the Lyric Prepares for 2017 Renovation/Harry Potter

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 3:18pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/PARAMOUR-Will-Soar-to-Another-Venue-as-Broadways-Lyric-Theatre-Begins-Renovations-20161201?fb=on

Updated On: 12/1/16 at 03:18 PM

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 3:20pm

I have tickets for December 18th. Looking forward to it as I love that time period.

By the by, whatever is going on with ATG's Hudson venture? Is it going to be an "official" Broadway house? What kind of shows will play there, do you think?

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 3:24pm

What renovations does the Lyric need? It is one of the most modern and up to date houses on Broadway...

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 3:25pm

My thought exactly, bwayphreak. I'd be interested in knowing what their renovating intents are...

[kade.ivy]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 3:26pm

I wonder if PARAMOUR will just decide to close by then. What other theatre would take it? It would only fit where, the Marquis, Palace, Broadway, Lunt, or Hirschfeld? 

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 3:30pm

Marquis - Possible if ON YOUR FEET has a rough winter ahead.

Palace - Getting renovated after SUNSET BOULEVARD

 Broadway - MISS SAIGON until January 2018 (at least)

Lunt - CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY until January 2018 (at least)

Hirschfeld - Possible, but KINKY BOOTS is still holding on at least through February/March 2017 with Todrick Hall

[littlemouse921]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 3:30pm

Cirque shows never really close. They just sort or relocate and then restart somewhere else. But I feel like this is their way of saying that Paramour is closing.

[Cfried]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 3:31pm

kade.ivy said: "I wonder if PARAMOUR will just decide to close by then. What other theatre would take it? It would only fit where, the Marquis, Palace, Broadway, Lunt, or Hirschfeld?"

Agreed. It should really close now as there are no available theatres that fit this production. The only possibility I can see is the Marquis...assuming ON YOUR FEET is going to close soon. 

[kdogg36]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 3:36pm

Ado Annie D'Ysquith said: "IBy the by, whatever is going on with ATG's Hudson venture? Is it going to be an "official" Broadway house?"

I'm having trouble finding a link, but I'm pretty sure that the Tony committee announced, after their first meeting this fall, that productions at the Hudson would indeed be Tony-eligible.

[TonyVincent]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 3:37pm

If anything, the Marquis would fit the show, given Cirque is best known for occupying hotel theaters in Vegas.  Walking through a hotel lobby to a Cirque production feels a little more familiar than walking into a "real" Broadway theater.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 3:37pm

bwayphreak234 said: "What renovations does the Lyric need? It is one of the most modern and up to date houses on Broadway...

 

"

Maybe they are taking in an unusually large tenant, maybe King Kong.

[Tag]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 3:40pm

Definitely something fishy going on (ie. maybe the Lyric has a big tenant lined up?).  It could also transfer to a non-Broadway house.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 3:52pm

How big is the physical production? I mean it's been making money. But I'd love to see it at Stage 42. Such a great venue with a ton of space. Might have to downscale a little. But could see it working. 

[Willie4316]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 4:00pm

Perhaps Rebecca or Love Never Dies for the 2017-18 season? Both have quite big set pieces, LND particularly if they are doing a carbon copy of the Australian version. 

I really hope this isn't their way of saying their closing. I could see it taking the Marquis if either OYF! closes or perhaps moves to a smaller theater.

Updated On: 12/1/16 at 04:00 PM

[Cfried]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 4:02pm

Deadline is reporting that PARAMOUR is closing and is not saying anything about a transfer. 

http://deadline.com/2016/12/cirque-du-soleil-paramour-to-close-at-lyric-theater-broadway-1201863040/

Conflicting articles here...but I imagine they won't end up transferring. 

Updated On: 12/1/16 at 04:02 PM

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 4:06pm

Thanks for sharing that, Cfried. The conflicting articles are quite strange. The Lyric is a total behemoth—I honestly can't imagine that even a group as big as Cirque would spend the time, money, and energy downsizing for another house. Closing seems more ostensible.  

[trpguyy]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 4:27pm

Making room for Harry Potter

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 4:27pm

I don't know about that Deadline article...it sounds like Jeremy Gerard doesn't know what he's talking about. Not the first time. He mentions they're only making 60% of their gross potential, like they're doing so badly. I doubt their running cost is a million per week? If it is, they're just morons.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 4:29pm

trpguyy said: "Making room for Harry Potter"

 

That was my first thought too.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 4:35pm

euphemisms. fishy indeed (and pretty transparent). 

The English translation:

1. The show is closing..

2. Cirque does not want to admit that publicly.

3. ATG is pushing them out.

4. Cirque definitely does not want to admit that humiliation publicly.

5. The show will "transfer" to another destination, not another Bway theatre.

6. To lubricate the departure, ATG agreed to put it on itself so Cirque would not have to limp out of town. 

7. Renovations. Yeah, right. Like taking down the signage. 

 

[Cfried]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 4:39pm

HogansHero said: "euphemisms. fishy indeed (and pretty transparent). 

The English translation:

1. The show is closing..

2. Cirque does not want to admit that publicly.

3. ATG is pushing them out.

4. Cirque definitely does not want to admit that humiliation publicly.

5. The show will "transfer" to another destination, not another Bway theatre.

6. To lubricate the departure, ATG agreed to put it on itself so Cirque would not have to limp out of town. 

7. Renovations. Yeah, right. Like taking down the signage. "

 

EXACTLY. This is spot on!

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 4:41pm

trpguyy said: "Making room for Harry Potter"

Ooh. Good call.

[Cfried]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 4:43pm

Now I'm confused...

PARAMOUR's official FaceBook page posted that they "would consider moving" if they found another home.

So, doesn't seem like this transfer is definite at all. We'll see...

[Clyde15]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 4:43pm

I may be wrong but I thought Cirque signed a ten year deal wit ATG for the Lyric theatre? Does that mean ATG ended this contract?

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 12/1/16 at 4:57pm

Cfried said: "HogansHero said: "euphemisms. fishy indeed (and pretty transparent). 
The English translation:
1. The show is closing...
5. The show will "transfer" to another destination, not another Bway theatre....
7. Renovations. Yeah, right. Like taking down the signage. "
EXACTLY. This is spot on!"

I have no doubt that some other locations, perhaps in Europe would welcome the production (and/or do a shortened Vegas edition). 

I wonder when Cirque knew of this. Their investment in the Macy's Thanksgiving performance seems to be wasted now.

Harry Potter is a very interesting theory. I just checked and the Palace Theatre in the West End is not an ATG house, but I'd gather that being based in London would give ATG an edge in access and familiarity to the rights holders (or disadvantage, depending upon their experiences). 

Updated On: 12/1/16 at 04:57 PM