The Cat Is Out of the Sorting Hat: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Planning Broadway Run
Since J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world continuation Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was announced as a play, we knew it had to make its way to Broadway. Now we know plans are officially in the works.
The NY Post reported the play, currently running at London’s Palace Theatre, would make its New York City debut in the spring of 2018 at the Lyric Theatre.
Producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender confirmed their choice after The Post learned the theater would undergo extensive renovations when the current tenant, Cirque du Soleil’s “Paramour,” closes in April.
The Ambassador Theatre Group, which owns the Lyric, is shelling out tens of millions of dollars to tailor the theater specifically for “Harry Potter.”
“They made us an offer we simply couldn’t refuse,” Friedman says.
Officially wizarding world fan site Pottermore added that the theater would be renovated ” from a 1,900 seat theatre into a more intimate 1,500 seat auditorium to accommodate the dramatic look and feel of Cursed Child.” While I didn’t love the story in script form, I could tell the visuals must be stunning on stage. But it looks like the entire building will get in on the fun.
The front of house will also be redesigned which was a ‘massive selling point’ for the team.
‘What’s wonderful about the Lyric is that it has very generous public spaces front of house which will allow the audience a place to mingle in a way that’s unique in the Broadway landscape,’ Colin explained.
‘Having a large and spacious atmospheric front of house lobby area was as crucial to us as the space inside,’ Sonia agreed.
‘We know the moment people walk through the door, the experience begins.’
Rowling said, “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.”
No word yet on if the London cast would be traveling across the pond to continue their roles or of some/all would be recast.