What's next for the Cort Theatre?

[YvanEhtNioj]

King Lear closes June 9th. Are there any sites waiting without a house for next season?

[VotePeron]

Tricky house, as it’s off the beaten path and very hard to have a hit unless an A-List celebrity plays there.

First thing that came to mind is SIX - it’s a small theater/stage, they could offer very accessible tickets in the balcony, and since word of mouth is already so strong, most sure it needs a specific house.

OR, the Shuberts will finally come through and do the renovation they’ve been teasing for...ever? Will be interested to see.

 

EDIT - forgot Six was going to ART in the fall, which simply seems unnecessary at this point. Girl From the North Country, maybe? Secret Life of Bees? 

[GeorgeandDot]

The Cort is a run-down POS house. The ceiling is peeling, the seats are falling apart. It would a wonderful theatre if they pulled it together a bit. It needs renovations.

[MollyJeanneMusic]

GeorgeandDot said: "The Cort is a run-down POS house. The ceiling is peeling, the seats are falling apart. It would a wonderful theatre if they pulled it together a bit. It needs renovations."

Do you think there are any shows out there that could benefit from the run-down atmosphere in the theatre - kind of like how Rent opened at the Nederlander specifically because the theatre was run-down?

[GeorgeandDot]

It's not cool run-down like BAM, which has this cool, grungy look. It's more just sad run-down. I don't think any show would benefit from it looking like a half abandoned movie theatre in a New Jersey ghetto.

[JBroadway]

I assumed Lear was a limited run. Was it not? Or is it now just closing earlier than originally planned?

[Robbie2]

• JBroadway said: "I assumed Lear was a limited run. Was it not? Or is it now just closing earlier than originally planned?"

 

Closing earlier than planned which was till Sunday July 7

[Scarlet Leigh]

I feel like every time a show posts it's closing at the Cort, this same conversation happens. We all agree it needs to be renovated because it badly needs it and start to think it will happen as nothing gets announced and JUST when it seems like it's gonna happen, something gets announced. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

So....... I've love to see it finally get it's well needed renovation....

[RippedMan]

I see nothing opening before the fall, so why not renovate now? I like the theater itself. 

[gleek4114]

Seeing as it mostly hosts plays, maybe the all female Glengarry Glen Ross?

[itsjustmejonhotmailcom]

The Inheritance?

[rg7759]

im very surprised there hasn't been more of a reaction to this, even with the friday night mic drop. i loved it and can't believe glenda could have been better in 3tw than this. this is probably the last thing anyone expected to completely bomb this season. and it was my first visit to the cort, which wasnt as decrepid as i expected. i think it would be perfectly fine to wait til the palace is done before renovating this. its more about adding backstage.

[troynow]

Glengary Glenross WAS going to the Golden and now it is dead.

[saxpower]

Was there additional red tape the Shuberts needed to go through to build the annex that is part of the proposed renovations?  I found one article that they had also sold the theatre's air rights, so if something is being built over it, there's a bunch more permits needed.  I would assume the Shuberts would just keep booking the theatre until all the approvals are in place. 

[Robbie2]

Hoping the much needed reno that's been put off...do it now Shuberts

[SomethingPeculiar]

saxpower said: "I found one article that they had also sold the theatre's air rights, so if something is being built over it, there's a bunch more permits needed."

Nothing is being built above the theatre. The sold Air Rights allow for the new building next door (or some other structure in the area) to be X feet taller -- basically taking the height that could be added to the Cort and adding it on to a different building. Air rights are weird and complicated.

[mufish]

It seems like they haven't had trouble getting productions to take the theatre and it's not as if the building is in danger of being condemned or something, so there might not be a ton of incentive for them to proceed with any renovations that would take the house out of commission for an extended period.  If it gets to the point where productions are staying away or rent is somehow impacted, then maybe they'd proceed.  But with the glut of shows rumored to be looking for theatres, we may see something in there in the fall/winter.

[QueenAlice]

After the other construction on the street is complete, the theatre is getting a full renovation.

[SomethingPeculiar]

mufish said: "It seems like they haven't had trouble getting productions to take the theatre and it's not as if the building is in danger of being condemned or something, so there might not be a ton of incentive for them to proceed with any renovations that would take the house out of commission for an extended period. If it gets to the point where productions are staying away or rent is somehow impacted, then maybe they'd proceed. But with the glut of shows rumored to be looking for theatres, we may see something in there in the fall/winter."


Yes, you're right that the theatre is still in good working shape. The reno is for aesthetic and preventative purposes. When they'll begin probably depends on all the other work on the street, permits, etc.

One of the purposes of the reno is to allow bigger shows (aka musicals) to play the Cort more comfortably. Backstage space and dressing rooms are limited, and the work could make it a much more viable house. The audience bathroom situation is also bad, and handicapped patrons have to go across the street to Chipotle.

Design renderings for the exterior and added annex: https://newyorkyimby.com/2017/11/renderings-revealed-for-cort-theater-expansion-at-138-west-48th-street-times-square.html