'Harry Potter And The Cursed Child' News & Updates: To Officially Open On Broadway in 2018
A hit in London, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will thankfully open in New York in the spring of 2018 at the barn-like Lyric Theatre, which, under that and several other names, housed some of the most expensive flops in Broadway history.
It was confirmed by producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender after The Post learned the theater would undergo extensive renovations when the current show, Cirque du Soleil's "Paramour," concludes April, according to New York Post.
Owners of the Lyrics, the Ambassador Theatre Group is spending tens of millions of dollars to prepare and renovate the theater specifically for "Harry Potter." "They made us an offer we simply couldn't refuse," Friedman says.
"I'm delighted we're one step closer in bringing "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" to Broadway and very excited by the proposed plans," says J.K. Rowling.
Getting the "Harry Potter" play is a major deal as three of Broadway's other dominators - the Shuberts, the Nederlanders and Jujamcyn - had notably pursued and courted its producers for the show, offering up their best theaters, according to /Film.
The Lyric is the second-largest theater on Broadway as it has currently 1,900 seats. Producers complain that shows often get swallowed up in its vastness. To make the theater more intimate for "Harry Potter," 400 seats will be removed and the back wall of the auditorium will be moved closer to the stage.
Expectedly, "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" has caused a massive ticket-buying in its London premiere. The advance sales exceed $50 million which is, of course, the highest in London theater history. Friedman and Callender recently released 60,000 more tickets which were immediately sold out within 15 minutes.
With such hype, Broadway insiders even think the demand will be even greater in New York. The Lyric Theatre, originally known as the Ford Center, is, in fact, a combination of two theaters from the early 20th century: the Apollo on 42nd Street and the Lyric on 43rd, as reported by Broadway.com.
"Harry Potter" set designer Christine Jones will still be deeply involved in renovating the theater. "When you step over the threshold of the theater, you will be entering the world of Harry Potter," Callender says.
No announced prices were yet released for the New York pricing, but in London, prices for both parts of the play range from $40 to $176 which is considered a bargain on Broadway. "Hamilton" orchestra seats cost about $850.
