Howard Panter (Ambassador Theatre Group) looking at restoring TWO Broadway Houses

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 9:32am

Howard Panter, owner of the London-based Ambassador Theatre Group, which controls the Lyricon 42nd Street, is currently in negotiations to take ownership of the Hudson Theatre in the Hudson Hotel on West 44th Street. The venue, which currently serves as a conference center, will have to undergo renovations.

The paper also reports that Panter has plans to take over the Times Square Theater, the only 42nd Street theater which has not been redone. The theater was scheduled to become the location of the failed "Broadway 4D," but the project was abandoned due to financial issues.

Panter's company currently controls 40 theaters in England and Asia.

"Howard wants to be a player in New York," shares a veteran Broadway producer. "The best way to become a player is to own theaters."

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Britains-Howard-Panter-May-Become-Fourth-Major-Broadway-Theater-Owner-20150311

Updated On: 3/11/15 at 09:32 AM

[ryandl15]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 11:30am

The more Broadway Houses the better!

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 12:15pm

I'm excited by the news, if it's true. The more Broadway houses, the better, and ATG really tries to make theatre an experience. Just look at what they did to the Lyric, putting in the Ambassador Lounge and making the old merchandise store a full out candy store.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 12:40pm

I agree! I think this is great news. The Hudson is a gorgeous theater and really wouldn't be a hard renovation.

[Princeton Returns]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 2:47pm

Haha its funny you guys say that as in the uk atg are known for ridiculous booking fees and charges, poor service and not looking after their theatres especially.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 2:59pm

^ That's how most of our theater owners are. They'll fit right in.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 3:24pm

Isn't there some sort of problem with the Times Square Theatre, no docking space or something like that now that new buildings have sprung up around it?

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 3:48pm

That's one of the reasons that have been brought up for why it's been hard to get that theatre restored for legitimate use. The only loading door opens directly onto 42nd Street, which would make loading in and out a bit of a logistical challenge.

[ggersten]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 5:49pm

If Second Stage doesn't get the Helen Hayes, perhaps ATG and Delfont Mackintosh will duke it out for a purchase?

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 7:27pm

His name is Panter, not Painter.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 8:28pm

I don't see how that would be such a nightmare. I've walked down 42nd on a Tuesday evening and it's been dead. Why can't they load in the set late at night?

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 8:56pm

I'm sure the unions would love the overnight OT!

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 9:33pm

"I don't see how that would be such a nightmare. I've walked down 42nd on a Tuesday evening and it's been dead. Why can't they load in the set late at night?"

Because nothing says "book your show into my theatre" like automatically increasing the cost and difficulty of loading in.

You'd be looking at overtime and penalty payments from both IATSE and the Teamsters for working overnight. I'm sure the vendors and shops would also be adding in a nice surcharge to make their staff work those hours. What happens when something breaks during tech and needs to be sent out and a replacement brought in? You blow a dimmer rack and several moving lights go with it, or a large speaker cluster and your mix board, at the end of a tech rehearsal? If you can only load in at night you're now looking at not being able to get replacements into the building for 24 hours, as opposed putting in an emergency call to your shop and having them coming in the next morning.

I'm not saying they will never find a way around the loading dock situation, but it's certainly going to involve a whole lot more than just "loading in at night."

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 10:04pm

Alright. Just an idea. Not a good idea. But an idea, ha.

I just don't see it being that big of an issue. They close down busy streets all the time. And for a hit play I think the trouble would be worth it.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 11:14pm

Hope so! We need Broadway houses...the Hudson Theater is beautiful on 44th Street great location.

[Jonwo]

Posted: 3/12/15 at 12:07am

The Hudson looks like it's mostly intact and would give Broadway another playhouse.

I wonder if the Mark Hellinger which is owned by the Times Square Church would ever come back on the market? It's still in great condition and I imagine there would be huge interest from all the theatre owners

Updated On: 3/12/15 at 12:07 AM

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 3/12/15 at 12:38am

The Times Square Church leadership has been approached by a number of producers and impresarios over the years. The list supposedly includes Cameron Mackintosh, Garth Drabinsky, the Shuberts, Clear Channel, Disney, and even John Breglio (the lawyer who control Michael Bennett's estate). The leadership has shown no interest in selling the building back and it's unlikely to return to legitimate use anytime soon. Luckily, as Jonwo stated, it's still in great condition as the Times Square Church has been very respectful of its landmark status. Hopefully if they ever get into financial trouble they will sell it back to somebody who wants to return it to legitimate use and not just let it deteriorate.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 3/12/15 at 2:26am

The Mark Hellinger ~ what a stunning theater sad that the Nederlander's had to sell it as they were financially broke as nothing lasted in this theater during the 80's. I saw Rags & Legs Diamond in the late 80's and it was the last musical before they leased it to the Times Square Church before purchasing it in 1991.