Palace Theater NOT being raised after all ?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/2/16 at 5:21pm

Took my 8 year old grandson to "An American in Paris" the other day. A friend of mine is in the cast and he graciously gave us a backstage tour. He also mentioned that the plans to raise the whole theater have been put on hold. Does anyone know the details? I always thought it was a bad idea.

Updated On: 9/2/16 at 05:21 PM

[Huss417]

Posted: 9/2/16 at 5:31pm

I wonder if they couldn't raise the 300 million of the 2 Billion? Curious to hear more.

http://therealdeal.com/2016/07/12/developer-wants-300m-in-eb-5-money-for-times-square-redevelopment/

Updated On: 9/2/16 at 05:31 PM

[Keiichi2]

Posted: 9/2/16 at 5:37pm

Curious as well.  if this is true, wonder what could be going into it next year, or if they could be getting a holiday show or concert late this year.

[BroadMagTech]

Posted: 9/2/16 at 5:40pm

Hopefully we will get an update soon.

[10086sunset]

Posted: 9/2/16 at 5:57pm

Keiichi2 said: "Curious as well.  if this is true, wonder what could be going into it next year, or if they could be getting a holiday show or concert late this year."

 

The rumored Sunset Blvd. transfer was mentioned going into the Palace...

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/2/16 at 5:57pm

I was told that the next TWO tenants of the Palace have been booked but was asked to keep mum until the official announcements are made.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 9/2/16 at 6:04pm

I think this would have been great for the theater. The Palace has becomes my least favorite on Broadway and I think the renovations would have added some upkeep to a legendary venue. Curious what these potential two productions are if this is the case. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 9/2/16 at 6:59pm

Sunset Blvd then Singin' in the Rain?

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 9/2/16 at 7:07pm

I know you've all been saying that Frozen is going into the St. James, which I still have a hard time believing because Disney usually has a great business relationship with the Nederlanders, and the St. James is not a Nederlander house.

While we don't know if it's still on track for Spring 2018 since they have to get a new director, could the Palace be a possibility?

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/2/16 at 7:10pm

Possibly 

[BroadMagTech]

Posted: 9/2/16 at 11:24pm

BroadwayNYC2 said: "I think this would have been great for the theater. The Palace has becomes my least favorite on Broadway and I think the renovations would have added some upkeep to a legendary venue. Curious what these potential two productions are if this is the case. 

 

This does not mean that the plans are canned completely. I assume that they are just moving plans ahead a few years so they can raise the capital. I really do hope it will happen.

 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 9/3/16 at 12:46am

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "I know you've all been saying that Frozen is going into the St. James, which I still have a hard time believing because Disney usually has a great business relationship with the Nederlanders, and the St. James is not a Nederlander house.

While we don't know if it's still on track for Spring 2018 since they have to get a new director, could the Palace be a possibility?

 

"

Dude, the deal for Frozen to go into the St. James was signed forever ago. 

[nycgogetter]

Posted: 9/3/16 at 1:06am

Frozen to St. James is possible; but the timeline for Frozen maybe shifting - so all deals maybe off.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/3/16 at 5:40pm

The St James Theater was chosen for "Frozen" because its scenic designs call for a much deeper set than usual. Plans are to blast through the wall of the St James and extend almost as far as 43rd Street.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/3/16 at 5:41pm

But that was with the former creative team? So things could change. Although deepening the stage seems smart either way to me. 

[nycgogetter]

Posted: 9/3/16 at 7:13pm

Exactly . . . Disney maybe able to find a Director who will work with the previous director's design concept, and that will help them keep on track.  BUT . . . with a new director, there may come new designs.  I think a lot of things would be up in the air for Frozen right now.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 9/3/16 at 7:16pm

I was kinda shocked they would put it out of commission for such a long time in order for this to happen. So not entirely shocked it's been postponed.

ETA: especially when the shortage of Broadway Theatres available for new shows coming in is so significant.


I'm intrigued what may be coming in after SUNSET. 

Updated On: 9/3/16 at 07:16 PM

[BroadMagTech]

Posted: 9/3/16 at 7:21pm

Mr. Nowack said: "I was kinda shocked they would put it out of commission for such a long time in order for this to happen. So not entirely shocked it's been postponed.

I'm intrigued what may be coming in after SUNSET. 

 

"M. Butterfly?

 

[AKarp2013]

Posted: 9/3/16 at 8:58pm

Maybe Bandstand or Amelie could take up the Palace?

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/3/16 at 11:02pm

Both would massively flop in those houses. 

And I don't think so, it's a long term investment for the theater owners. Frozen is likely to be a VERY long running show - although I would have guessed the same for The Little Mermaid, so I guess we'll see. So, they'll likely make money hand over fist on Frozen at the St. James for the foreseeable future. So it makes sense. And plus, with the demands of design, etc, I'd imagine more backstage space is great for any incoming show, and if they have the ability to do it, why not? 

Theatre is such an interesting thing because we've been using these theaters built for vaudeville for years now without changing the interior much, when the rest of the world has change so drastically. 

I saw Something Rotten the other night and noticed there weren't a lot of actual set pieces, most of it was all flown in, so they must not have a lot of wing space. 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 8:39am

It's true that the St James lacks wing space. In the original production of DOLLY, the back wall of the Harmonica Gardens was a drop with a cut-out for the famous staircase to fit in. There was no space to store anything more solid.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 9:17am

RippedMan said: "Frozen is likely to be a VERY long running show - although I would have guessed the same for The Little Mermaid, so I guess we'll see. So, they'll likely make money hand over fist on Frozen at the St. James for the foreseeable future."

 

I don't think you can really compare the two. The Little Mermaid was a big hit in 1989. It's fans grew up and tastes have changed over time...and there were many other hits in between that were even better. 

Frozen is a lot more current and it's fans are still around - well unless this is postponed for too long. Time is important when trying to get on a fan base bandwagon.

Interesting to hear what's happening with the Palace.. when and if.

 

 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 11:09am

I'd say it's pretty comparable. I mean The Little Mermaid is an all time classic. More so, than I'd say The Lion King is/was. But, The Lion King was a giant hit for Disney and they turned it into a stage show, and we see how that worked out. 

On a side note: how'd they store the sets for the Producers? I mean they had a whole different set done all in white for the top of Act 2! Did they just fly those in?