“Cursed Child” Set to Arrive on Broadway in 2018!

by · December 1, 2016

Ever since Harry Potter and the Cursed Child‘s London run was announced, fans have been clamoring to know when the play would open on Broadway. Finally, we may have an answer!

Pottermore announced today that Cursed Child producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender are in advanced talks for the show to open at New York’s Lyric Theater in the spring of 2018.

The producers, along with set designer Christine Jones, visited New York in September to scout a theater that would be appropriate for the show. They soon set their eye on the Lyric, which would be completely remodeled before the show goes up.

When the redesigned Lyric was presented to us as an idea and what the possibilities could be, we re-thought the whole thing and totally fell in love with the notion of a theatre being created especially for the Cursed Child, overseen by designer Christine and our director John Tiffany.

We are still subject to planning, but assuming we get the go ahead, we will have the theatre of our dreams that will be intimate enough for a drama, yet big enough for us to follow in the footsteps of the London production and continue to provide low priced tickets throughout the auditorium.

The team is especially excited about a spacious front-of-house lobby, noting that, for fans, the experience begins as soon as they walk through the theater doors.

J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany have not commented directly on this development, but Friedman reports that they support it completely:

They are very, very happy. John is going to be crucial and very, very involved with Christine and the rest of the design team on the look, feel, aesthetic and overall feel of the theatre. Jack can’t wait to see it, and Jo is fully, fully supportive of the whole venture. Our three Js are as great as ever.

While this is thrilling news for fans (even though 2018 still feels impossibly far away!), it’s important to remember that even Pottermore hasn’t fully confirmed this news.

Though it is extremely unlikely given that Pottermore felt confident enough to make an announcement today, this agreement could still fall through since it sounds like a contract has yet to be signed. What is certain, however, is that the Cursed Child team is hard at work trying to bring the show to Broadway, and we can’t wait until they do!

 

Press Release

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in advanced discussions with Ambassador Theatre Group who plan multi-million dollar renovation of the Lyric Theatre to open on Broadway in Spring of 2018.

New York (December 2, 2016) – Producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender, with J.K. Rowling, have confirmed they are in exclusive talks with The Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) to bring the London hit to The Lyric Theatre on Broadway. ATG plans a multi-million dollar renovation to completely transform, remodel and reconfigure the 1,900 seat theatre and turn it into a scaled down, more intimate playhouse, with approximately 1,500 seats.

Friedman and Callender said “We are thrilled about ATG’s ambitious plans which will provide a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a unique theatre space tailored to the specific needs of the production over the play’s two parts. The remodeled Lyric will include a smaller auditorium redesigned to the specifications of the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child team, as well as an adapted proscenium and stage that can house designer Christine Jones’ glorious set without swamping or compromising director John Tiffany’s brilliant staging. The spacious front of house environment will also be transformed to optimize the atmosphere and audience experience,”

“But above all,” Friedman and Callender further commented, “ATG’s plans will provide Harry Potter and the Cursed Child with a bespoke home that will be intimate enough for a drama, yet big enough for us to deliver on our commitment to provide audiences with access to low priced tickets throughout the auditorium.”

J.K. Rowling said “I’m delighted we are one step closer in bringing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to Broadway and very excited by the proposed plans.”

Further updates to be announced at a later date.

Jessica J.

I've been making magic at MuggleNet since 2012, when I first joined the staff as a News intern. I've never wavered from the declaration in my childhood journal, circa October 2000: "I LOVE Harry Potter! If I clean my room, my mom says she'll make me a dinner a wizard would love!" Proud Gryffindor; don't hate.