WICKED tour performances cancelled in New Orleans following collapse of building next door

[TheGingerBreadMan]

The under-construction Hard Rock Hotel, next door to New Orleans' Saenger Theatre where WICKED was scheduled to run through Oct 20th, has collapsed, forcing WICKED to cut this leg of the tour short. One person was killed in the collapse and others were injured.

Here's to the safety of those who have to load out WICKED from the Saenger under such hazardous conditions.

https://www.wdsu.com/article/all-wicked-performances-cancelled-for-remainder-of-run-at-saenger-theater/29448182

 

[uncageg]

Saw this on the news yesterday right after it happened. They never mentioned a theater next door.

[hak5]

in the collapse, some of the rumble did minor damage to the theatre roof. 

in an update the local news is now saying 3 dead

[NOLAguy]

Live in NOLA and had tickets to tonight's show.  Sad I wont be able to go, but completely understand given the sad circumstances.  Only thing, the whole area around the hotel and theatre is under mandatory evacuation, as officials think the building could still collapse.  With that said, I doubt the city is even letting Wicked into the theatre to load out.  Evacuation could go on for weeks it has been said.  How will this affect the next tour stop.  Is the first national set in storage somewhere and could be used?

[QueenTwinnied]

I would hope there's a contingency plan given the next venue is the Fox in Atlanta for a several week run. That would be a huge loss for the theater given Atlanta is a huge market. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Do we know how the building collapsed? Surely there will be an investigation into this. People should not be dying in construction zones with the type of technology we have.

Regarding Wicked. Who pays for the cancelled performances? The venue/promoter or Wicked?

[NOLAguy]

As of now the cause has not been determined, mainly due to the fact they are still in rescue/recovery searches as there is still a missing worker trapped somewhere. Once the worker is recovered the investigation will begin. Tragic scene, looks like a bomb went off. Hole in the roof of the Saenger Theatre as well

[dramamama611]

Call_me_jorge said: "Do we know how the building collapsed? Surely there will be an investigation into this. People should not be dying in construction zones with the type of technology we have.

Regarding Wicked. Who pays for the cancelled performances? The venue/promoter or Wicked?"

I would GUESS that insurance kicks in for both the production as well as the rental house.

[IAMREADING]

NOLAguy said: "Live in NOLA and had tickets to tonight's show. Sad I wont be able to go, but completely understand given the sad circumstances. Only thing, the whole area around the hotel and theatre is under mandatory evacuation, as officials think the building could still collapse. With that said, I doubt the city is even letting Wicked into the theatre to load out. Evacuation could go on for weeks it has been said. How will this affect the next tour stop. Is the first national set in storage somewhere and could be used?"

yikes the set and costumes are inside already?

[NOLAguy]

IAMREADING said: "NOLAguy said: "Live in NOLA and had tickets to tonight's show. Sad I wont be able to go, but completely understand given the sad circumstances. Only thing, the whole area around the hotel and theatre is under mandatory evacuation, as officials think the building could still collapse. With that said, I doubt the city is even letting Wicked into the theatre to load out. Evacuation could go on for weeks it has been said. How will this affect the next tour stop. Is the first national set in storage somewhere and could be used?"

yikes the set and costumes are inside already?"

Yes, the show was in the middle of its run when the hotel collapsed Saturday morning. 

 

[NOLAguy]

https://www.nola.com/news/article_4ee5312a-eeff-11e9-adbe-cbe82486463c.html

[QueenTwinnied]

The Fox in Atlanta just emailed details for the lottery today. I guess that's a positive sign the hotel collapse won't affect the following stops. 

[SouthernCakes]

If I’m correct, I think Wicked is one of the touring companies that has 2 sets? So it may not affect Atlanta but maybe the city after?

[NOLAguy]

I could very well be wrong, but I thought they only had a second set for the time dragon and surrounding proscenium! But I hope I am wrong!

[QueenTwinnied]

SouthernCakes said: "If I’m correct, I think Wicked is one of the touring companies that has 2 sets? So it may not affect Atlanta but maybe the city after?"

I feel like I've also heard this. There's only two days between the NOLA and Atlanta runs, so having rotating sets makes sense. I'd imagine the load in/out times for Wicked are fairly extensive. 

[Fosse76]

Even assuming they have a jump set, it's not a complete duplicate set. It would be mostly lighting and sound equipment, maybe a couple of set pieces that would commingle with that equipment. It might include the stage deck, but I thought I heard for the first national tour they didn't. It would not be a full duplicate set. It certainly wouldn't include costumes and props.

[ArtMan]

Is this the first time something like this occurred?   That a tour didn't have access to their costumes and sets.  One would think that the huge amount of money that tours  (especially like Wicked) generate, they would have a back up plan in place for future stops.

[QueenTwinnied]

Someone mentioned earlier that the old First National Tour set might be in storage. Not sure if it could realistically be mobilized on such short notice. 

[Fosse76]

ArtMan said: "Is this the first time something like this occurred? That a tour didn't have access to their costumes and sets. One would think that the huge amount of money that tours (especially like Wicked) generate, they would have a back up plan in place for future stops."

The third national company of Phantom of the Opera had a truck containing the false proscenium stolen, sp they performed the show without it (or was eventually recovered).

[Tag]

^It seems to have happened twice(?) to the Phantom tour in 1998!

Stolen Phantom Tour Equipment Recovered

Trailer Carrying Props Is Stolen

[sparksatmidnight]

ArtMan said: "Is this the first time something like this occurred? That a tour didn't have access to their costumes and sets. One would think that the huge amount of money that tours (especially like Wicked) generate, they would have a back up plan in place for future stops."

No one has a backup plan for something that is virtually impossible. Even if they had to cancel this and the next five stops, they would still be winning vs carrying a backup of the whole production for so long with no actual use.

[Fosse76]

I found a 2018 article that confirms that the Wicked national tour does in fact have an advance set. However, this is mostly lighting, curtains and other flying scenery pieces. 

That said, there is no reason to believe that they will be unable to load out the show and make the next engagement. The stage door is on the other side of the building on a different street, and there is a through alley were it looks like the loading doors are located, also closer to this street. Unless the alley is needed for recovery purposes/access or there is any structural damage to the theater which prohibits entry, there should be no major issues getting the show loaded out.

[QueenTwinnied]

Fosse76 said: "I found a 2018 articlethat confirms that the Wicked national tour does in fact have an advance set. However, this is mostly lighting, curtains and other flying scenery pieces.

That said, there is no reason to believe that they will be unable to load out the show and make the next engagement. The stage door is on the other side of the building on a different street, and there is a through alley were it looks like the loading doors are located, also closer to this street. Unless the alley is needed for recovery purposes/access or there is any structural damage to the theater which prohibits entry, there should be no major issues getting the show loaded out."

Thanks for your research! I have a ticket to see Wicked in Atlanta and was getting a little nervous

[NOLAguy]

Fosse76 said: "I found a 2018 articlethat confirms that the Wicked national tour does in fact have an advance set. However, this is mostly lighting, curtains and other flying scenery pieces.

That said, there is no reason to believe that they will be unable to load out the show and make the next engagement. The stage door is on the other side of the building on a different street, and there is a through alley were it looks like the loading doors are located, also closer to this street. Unless the alley is needed for recovery purposes/access or there is any structural damage to the theater which prohibits entry, there should be no major issues getting the show loaded out."

I sure hope you are right.  My only concern though is the mandatory evacuation around the hotel, which the entire theatre is in, which is expected to last weeks.  The city is not allowing anybody who is not a rescue worker in the buildings in the evacuation zone.  This is mainly due to the two cranes still standing, but leaning, that if they fall they will fall right on top of the Saenger.  

 

[Danielle0314]

Out of curiosity, how extensive is the set for Dear Evan Hansen? That's the next show for Broadway in New Orleans, and I'm curious (if schedule allows) if it's able to be moved to the Mahalia Jackson for the performances.