Majestic Theatre Renovation?

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 2:04pm

Has it been confirmed that they are renovating the theatre?  I recently saw Phantom, and the Majestic looks as stunning as ever.  What would they need to change?

[Robbie2]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 2:09pm

Broadway Flash said: "Has it been confirmed that they are renovating the theatre? I recently saw Phantom, and the Majestic looks as stunning as ever. What would they need to change?"

It sill is stunning but It has been playing the Majestic for 35 years! Needs upgrades-refurbishing. 

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 2:10pm

From what I understand from someone that I worked with in the cast years ago, the set of Phantom was built into the foundation of the Majestic. 

So it's going to be a TON of working loading out the show, and there will need to be major changes made to the backstage area. 

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 2:12pm

Broadway Flash said: "Has it been confirmed that they are renovating the theatre? I recently saw Phantom, and the Majestic looks as stunning as ever. What would they need to change?"

I'd imagine the carpeting and seat cushion/fabric would need to be changed. That's 35 years!

More restrooms. 

 

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 3:22pm

I hope they don’t change the color scheme, or the look of it. It’s the prettiest theatre on Broadway. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 4:09pm

Cameron said the plan was to renovate it after PHANTOM closes, but obviously that's Shubert's call and the extent of that is unknown.

I, like many others, am hoping tomorrow's final performance ends with them re-naming the theatre for Hal Prince.

[The Scorpion]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 4:27pm

Broadway Flash said: "I hope they don’t change the color scheme, or the look of it. It’s the prettiest theatre on Broadway."

There are a few things in the theatre that aesthetically are Phantom-specific so those will presumably be changed back to how they had been or somehow redone (such as the blacked out boxes, which were Hal's requirement for the production). 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 4:29pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "I, like many others, am hoping tomorrow's final performance ends with them re-naming the theatre for Hal Prince."

God, I hope they announce that soon! Having a theatre named after Hal Prince is LONG OVERDUE! TBH, I wish they did this while he was still alive!

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 4:56pm

There's so much that has to be done to put the theater back into non-Phantom condition. The proscenium was raised 9 feet, so if they take that back down again, that alone is a massive undertaking. 

All of that black paint on the inside goes over a lot of intricate details that would have to be restored. However, I'm often reminded how the figures on the boxes look just like Phantom's Degas-inspired ballerinas, and the figures at the top of the posts look just like the candelabras that rise from the stage. 

The curtains that surround the house were all put in at the request of Maria Bjornson. 

And then you'd have to wonder if the structural posts that they moved to accommodate scenery storage backstage would just stay the way it is or be put back. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 5:06pm

This is such a unique scenario that the producers and Shubert probably worked out a plan in the past few months for what needs to be restored by the production vs. what doesn't, in conjunction with Shubert's own reno plans. Something like the proscenium height might stay as is, but maybe not.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/16/23 at 9:53am

It's believed this will take a while as the theater isn't available even for next season to occupy. Whether or not the new, scaled-down production takes the Majestic is to be announced.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 4/16/23 at 11:24am

The load-out is expected to take six weeks, with renovations taking at least eight months. If history is any indication, they'll basically be gutting the interior. I even expect a new color scheme. 

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 4/16/23 at 1:52pm

Phantom4ever said: "And then you'd have to wonder if the structural posts that they moved to accommodate scenery storage backstage would just stay the way it is or be put back."

Typically if a production does something to improve the usability of the space, like reinforcing structural overhead beams to remove a post/column no one is going to want that to be reverted. 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 4/16/23 at 2:05pm

Fosse76 said: "The load-out is expected to take six weeks, with renovations taking at least eight months. If history is any indication, they'll basically be gutting the interior. I even expect a new color scheme."

I cannot wait to see what it will look like when it reopens to the public. Hopefully, under the new name, "The Harold Prince Theatre." 

[The Scorpion]

Posted: 4/16/23 at 2:41pm

ACL2006 said: "It's believed this will take a while as the theater isn't available even for next season to occupy. Whether or not the new, scaled-down production takes the Majestic is to be announced."

I think they'll go for a smaller theatre, it doesn't make sense to go through the hassle of planning cuts to a production to bring it back in a cheaper form only to then put it in a house with such a huge capacity requirement, not to mention a minimum number of musicians that is well beyond what Cameron is prepared to hire.

I have heard rumours (only rumours) about a potential production for the Majestic and I have no idea to what extent they have any truth in them; it could work but if that's the one that the Shuberts have in mind then the theatre will need considerable remodelling.

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 4/17/23 at 12:38am

Honestly, I hope they don't change the name of the theatre, or the color scheme.  Everything works so beautifully, why would they change it?  The color of the theatre, the seats, it all looks elegant and timeless, they'd be dumb to change that.

Also, would you care to share what show you're talking about coming in?

[brdwybound04]

Posted: 4/17/23 at 1:32am

I would love to see the revival of “The Wiz” play here next season and return to its original Broadway home!!

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 4/17/23 at 8:12am

I would love for them to do research into what the original color scheme was for the theatre and return it to that. 

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 4/17/23 at 9:56am

I hope they reopen the theatre with a big new musical. The way the Majestic was intended

[signorafosca2]

Posted: 4/17/23 at 10:12am

Broadway Flash said: "Also, would you care to share what show you're talking about coming in?"

They are talking about the revival of Cabaret. My understanding is this theater is no longer in the cards for that production but we do live in a world of possibility, so maybe it will still happen.

[sbflyfan]

Posted: 4/17/23 at 11:38am

I'm assuming each production has a clause to cover the costs of any restoration after a show loads-out, but I'm wondering, with the theaters being "landmarked," where is the line drawn as far what is considered "historic" vs. what can be altered inside for a specific production?

For example, painting the inside of the auditorium black, or raising the proscenium height, as previously mentioned in this thread.

Or with something like "Moulin Rouge," are all of those auditorium elements (which looked very seamless to me!) merely set pieces installed, and once removed, will the auditorium be pretty much back to the way it was prior to load-in, with very little "restoration" needed?

Perhaps someone could explain it better.  Thanks!

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 4/17/23 at 12:23pm

signorafosca2 said: "Broadway Flash said: "Also, would you care to share what show you're talking about coming in?"

They are talking about the revival of Cabaret. My understanding is this theater is no longer in the cards for that production but we do live in a world of possibility, so maybe it will still happen."

Yep I heard the same- at one point Cabaret was going to be the next tenant and the renovations would be used to convert the theater to Cabaret’s specifications/needs.  But that has fallen through and if Cabaret does still transfer to Broadway it won’t be to the Majestic.

 

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 4/17/23 at 12:54pm

Why did Cabaret fall through?  I would think doing a big musical is what they would want. Something like Smash or The Great Gatsby

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 4/17/23 at 1:31pm

I still call BS on Cabaret. 

It just feels like such a betrayal for the artistic vision of that production to be staged in such a huge venue. 

The only possibility I could see is that they were intending to use it as a big open space and build their own theatre inside of it, which seems so much more complicated and expensive than just using a smaller theatre. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 4/17/23 at 2:23pm

Sweatyoracle on tiktok suggested that phantom is simply returning, as is, to the majestic. The theatre is simply just getting renovated.