Renovations While Theatres Are Closed

It looks like the theaters will be closed for a while. (Personally, I predict the fall at earliest, but most likely next year, whenever we have mass distribution of treatments or, better yet, a vaccine.)

Anyway, it seems like the perfect time for theaters to undergo whatever much-needed renovations can be done, particularly in making sure that the spaces are clean once it is safe again for audiences to gather. What renovations do you think can and should be accomplished at this time? Replacing worn-down seats, cleaning floors/bathrooms, etc. And which spaces need them the most?

Be specific if you'd like - for example, "The seats in the orchestra of the XYZ Theatre are worn-down and should be replaced."

I'd think the Majestic Theater (Phantom of the Opera) would have some sort of renovation given how it has not had any major renovations since 1988.

There may also be a period where theatre is permitted, but the shows are rehearsing, making sure sets are still working, etc, which will provide some time for at least maintenance.

Still, I would think anything done would be more in the way of maintenance/repair than wholesale renovations- those take more time and I'm sure the theatre owners and other parties want to be able to reopen quickly once the all clear is given and not risk the "all clear" being given and being stuck waiting for plasterwork to go back and scaffolding to come down. I remember reading they were able to replace all seats at the August Wilson between a Sunday matinee and Tuesday evening- so they could take the opportunity to do that sort of thing, replace carpet, etc- particularly in something like the Majestic or Ambassador which have had long term shows and less of a chance to fix things as they come up.

Of course, the other question is how many shows actually do manage to re-open- if the theatre is going to be dark, more could conceivably be done- the question might arise as to whether the Shuberts/Nederlanders/Jujamcyn would be in a financial position to do it after all this or would be inclined to spend the money until they get a better idea of the recovery.



Depending what goes on with The Minutes, maybe the Shuberts can finally renovate the Cort which supposedly has been planned for a while.

If they didn't spend the money while they were *earning* money, they certainly won't be spending them now or leading up to the reopening. New seats accross the board would be nice, though.

This is the perfect moment. Finally there is an opportunity for theater owners to add additional bathroom capacity in theaters with long running shows. Nederlander, Shubert, Jujamcyn, please, do this work!! It would make the theater going experience so much more pleasant.

Oh my this thread is giving me anxiety. You know I'm always worried one of these threads is finally going to convince Cameron Mackintosh to mess with Phantom of the Opera in some way and now here we go again with "let's change let's update". Yeah sure maybe there is some chipping paint in the Majestic's auditorium. But I just worry that they start that and then the next thing you know, the new tour's scenery is being loaded in smh. So in that sense, I'd rather they not touch a thing.

And as for the Ambassador, they just replaced the seats and the carpets a few years ago.

What happened to the Cort Theatre renovations that were already announced? Are they still in the planning stages? But this goes to the original question - doing renovations is more than just letting workers in and getting to work. It's planning and design and budgets and contracting and supplies, very hard to do when there are current tenants in the venue, and no clear timetable for re-opening. Sure they can replace the seats over a long weekend, but that doesn't just happen with a couple of weeks or even months' notice, even in the best of circumstances.

sparksatmidnight said: "If they didn't spend the money while they were *earning* money, they certainly won't be spending them now or leading up to the reopening. New seats accross the board would be nice, though."

Agree 100%.

Theaters would only renovate if they were forced to do so. If owners were inclined to spend money on seats, they would have done so by now. You could replace all of the seats during a load-in in most houses! If they cared about crappy bathrooms they could be done.

i believe that it would take a ticket-buyer revolt to force changes to the quality of the audience amenities. They would need to know that doing a renovation would lead to more money in their pockets.

Kad said: "Frankly, renovations may even be necessary in order to make theaters themselves safer for mass gatherings. Broadway theaters are generally compact spaces, both front and back of house."

^^ this

Installing a new production sound system is NOT renovating or updating a theatre.
The Majestic is a glorious house that currently looks like a sweaty brown armpit.

So many theaters could use some renovations during this closed down-pause but I highly doubt and of our Theater Owners are thinking about doing this at this time...prior to reopening whenever that may be?

Wow! How ugly! Berg + Moss love boring glass buildings, looks like this one will be no exception.

Thrilled for the Cort though.