Seaview will take over the former Tony Kiser Theater, to become a commercial Off-Bway theater

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 11:55am

There have been rumblings about this for a while. Exciting that it will remain a theatre space under the name "Studio Seaview"!

https://broadwayjournal.com/seaview-scoops-up-a-times-square-theater/

“When Second Stage announced it would be vacating the Tony Kiser Theater operating since 1999, like the rest of the industry, Seaview mourned what seemed unavoidable; the loss of yet another theater in New York,” Seaview said in the document. Instead, the company will rebrand the space as “Studio Seaview” and “produce exceptional productions created by the best theatrical creative talent and performers in New York.”

In addition to presenting theater, Seaview plans to serve wine by the glass, beer, mixed drinks, non-alcoholic beverages and light food at “The Vault” at Studio Seaview. Community Board 4 is scheduled to consider Seaview’s plan at a meeting on Tuesday.

[Kad]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 12:05pm

Woah, a big move for Seaview. Considering they've been selling out the Lortel with their productions, as well as quietly producing smaller off and off-off Broadway runs, they'll have no problem in that space.

Seaview has really become the dominant theatrical producer in NYC post-pandemic.

[singer234]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 12:44pm

Wow this is interesting, but great. Seaview is a lead producer on The Last Five Years-from what I understand, if the show is received well/sells well on Broadway, they'd like to transfer and cycle thru musical theatre names a la Little Shop. It'd be interesting if it moved there.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 12:52pm

Kad said: "Woah, a big move for Seaview. Considering they've been selling out the Lortel with their productions, as well as quietly producing smaller off and off-off Broadway runs, they'll have no problem in that space.

Seaview has really become the dominant theatrical producer in NYC post-pandemic."

Yes, they've picked up where Rudin left off.

It's clear that they also have A+ relationships with agents, which is the secret sauce to getting all these star-driven plays produced.

Between Seaview, Sonia Friedman, Wagner & Johnson, ATG, Tom Kirdahy, and the nonprofits, we're in a great place for plays and riskier work being produced on Broadway. Plus the old guard like David Stone and Jeffrey Richards and Kevin McCollum, and financiers like Hunter Arnold.

Greg "Seaview" Noble is also a principal partner in the Freaky Tiki bar on 9th, so the food & beverage side of the Kiser space wouldn't be his first rodeo.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 1:09pm

I am so curious where the money comes from for producers. I know they produce “hits”, but is the profit from the Lortel shows and recouped Stereophonic enough to finance this?

[Kad]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 1:18pm

VotePeron said: "I am so curious where the money comes from for producers. I know they produce “hits”, but is the profit from the Lortel shows and recouped Stereophonic enough to finance this?"

This season alone, Seaview is producing Romeo & Juliet, Once Upon a Mattress, All In, Last 5 Years, and Good Night and Good Luck.

Updated On: 1/13/25 at 01:18 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 1:23pm

VotePeron said: "I am so curious where the money comes from for producers. I know they produce “hits”, but is the profit from the Lortel shows and recouped Stereophonic enough to finance this?"

It's not their personal money. They raise it through investors, like producing a show or opening a restaurant or starting any other startup. Seaview's hit rate has been better than some other producers, but they've also had plenty of shows that didn't recoup. But again, this is not their personal money. That's what the list of 20+ co-producers is for.

Seaview also has a corporate owner for the company, Sony Music, which might put up a larger investment in the property.

(btw, if Stereo only recouped in its final weeks, that will be pennies of profit...but that is better than dollars of losses!)

Updated On: 1/13/25 at 01:23 PM

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 2:01pm

Just walked past the theater on Saturday after seeing Little Shop and was mourning the loss of such a great space that hosted so many remarkable productions...elated to hear it's going to have a second life!

[OhHiii]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 2:02pm

Also worth noting that lead producers make their money to finance their staff, offices and endeavors from a fee that's a piece of the weekly costs for productions. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 2:10pm

Hot take, I think Greg will accomplish more in the theatre world than Rudin ever did by the time he turns 50. 

[OhHiii]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 2:14pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "Hot take, I think Greg will accomplish more in the theatre world than Rudin ever did by the time he turns 50."

Considering there are a good almost 20 years left for Greg to go to add to his resume to achieve that, I'd say that's pretty certain.

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 2:15pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "Hot take, I think Greg will accomplish more in the theatre world than Rudin ever did by the time he turns 50."

I don't think this is a hot take at all. Greg is such a savvy producer. Broadway is endlessly lucky to have him, but I do wonder if he hasn't any desire to cross over to film/TV like Rudin.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 2:28pm

Alex Kulak2 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Hot take, I think Greg will accomplish more in the theatre world than Rudin ever did by the time he turns 50."

I don't think this is a hot take at all. Greg is such a savvy producer.Broadway is endlessly lucky to have him, but I do wonder if he hasn't any desire to cross over to film/TV like Rudin."

 

Except Rudin was already a huge film/TV producer then crossed over into theatre.

[OhHiii]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 2:29pm

Seaview is already producing films. Syndey Sweeney in Reality in 2023 garnered some acclaim which was their project.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 2:34pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "Hot take, I think Greg will accomplish more in the theatre world than Rudin ever did by the time he turns 50."

 

hot take  (noun)    a quickly produced, strongly worded, and often deliberately provocative or sensational opinion or reaction (as in response to current news)

Your post was not a "hot take".

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 3:19pm

JSquared2 said: "Alex Kulak2 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Hot take, I think Greg will accomplish more in the theatre world than Rudin ever did by the time he turns 50."

I don't think this is a hot take at all. Greg is such a savvy producer.Broadway is endlessly lucky to have him, but I do wonder if he hasn't any desire to cross over to film/TV like Rudin."



Except Rudin was already a huge film/TV producer then crossed over into theatre."

Looking at his filmography, it seems like his success in stage and screen coincided pretty closely. His first big hit in film was The Addams Family, which was only 3 years before he won his first Tony for producing Passion.

[Kad]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 3:20pm

Arguably, though, it was the massive success of Book of Mormon that launched Rudin as the foremost broadway producer. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 3:26pm

Kad said: "Arguably, though, it was the massive success of Book of Mormon that launched Rudin as the foremost broadway producer."

It’s also no surprise that his shift towards Broadway coincided with reaching Mount Everest in the film world: winning the Oscar for NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN in early 2008.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 4:13pm

Officially confirmed, with further details:

• The first production at Studio Seaview will happen THIS Spring, directed by Sam Gold.
• Scott Pask will work on re-designing aspects of the space but they're keeping much of the existing design intact.
• Carol Fishman (former Managing Director of 2nd Stage and longtime GM of Playwrights Horizons) has been poached to serve as General Manager of Studio Seaview.
• "Seaview's programming philosophy will be highly flexible, with productions scheduled on a show-by-show basis rather than adhering to traditional seasons. The company will prioritize productions that inspire both artists and audiences, focusing on an “eventized” approach to Off-Broadway theater."

[Sauja]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 4:54pm

If this means we get productions like Danny and the Deep Blue Sea and Hold Onto Me Darling and don't have to go to the Lortel (truly, only of my least favorite venues), then I'm all in! Excited to see what's forthcoming!

[JSquared2]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 5:55pm

Sauja said: "If this means we get productions like Danny and the Deep Blue Sea and Hold Onto Me Darling and don't have to go to the Lortel (truly, only of my least favorite venues), then I'm all in! Excited to see what's forthcoming!"

 

Oddly enough, while I'm also not at all a fan of the Lortel (although the seats ARE more comfortable than those in most Broadway houses), I do enjoy going to see shows there, because it gets me out of midtown -- and also gives me an opportunity to visit some of my favorite restaurants and shops down in the Village. Same thing with the Minetta Lane/Audible.

[Kad]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 7:04pm

I have a soft spot for the Lortel but there’s no denying it needs a renovation desperately. But I like its character more so than the former Kiser, which feels antiseptic.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 7:54pm

“ Seaview is a lead producer on The Last Five Years-from what I understand, if the show is received well/sells well on Broadway, they'd like to transfer and cycle thru musical theatre names a la Little Shop.”

 

There is a zero percent chance this happens. 

[singer234]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 8:20pm

That may be true, but that's still their hope lol. They do not plan for it to end after Nick and Adrienne.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 8:31pm

Just as we are experiencing a shift in what is being produced, we are also in the midst of a generation change in how it is produced, which of course includes how it is financed. The Rudin model is giving way to what we will call, at least as a placeholder, the Nobile model. Speaking of the former, and just to correct one thing, that poor excuse for a human actually has a very strong theatre provenance starting decades before his splash in the film business.

Seaview's apparent mission for the corner of 43rd and 8th is to invert Second Stage's. Instead of taking a second look at shows that did not resonate originally, they will eschew retreads in favor of the new and fresh. Until they change their mind as Second Stage did. :-)

I love this.