It has been announced by ATG’s joint CEO’s Sir Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire OBE that the group will reopen and operate the Hudson theatre on Broadway.
Through its subsidiary, Hudson Theatre LLC, ATG has entered a long-term lease for the theatre, which will be the group’s second theatre on Broadway. from the subsidiary of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc (M&C).
Together, ATG and M&C will be embarking on a multi-million dollar project, restoring the historic theatre to its former glory as a Broadway playhouse.
In a joint statement, ATG’s Joint CEO’s, Sir Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire OBE, said, “As one of the oldest and most beautiful theatres on Broadway, we are thrilled to restore and operate the iconic Hudson Theatre. It presents us with enormous opportunities to present and produce even more productions in New York and in North America and will be the perfect companion to our larger Broadway musical house, The Lyric.”
The theatre will receive significant improvements to the front-of-house to better enhance the experience for audiences -including better seating, the Ambassador premium lounge among the changes to be taking place. Meanwhile back stage will also see many differences such as new and expanded changing rooms and new fly systems will help to transform the Hudson theatre.
It is expected that the Hudson theatre will be ready to relaunch in time for Broadway’s 2016/2017 season.
ATG acquired its first Broadway theatre in 2013, The Lyric – which is the largest theatre on Broadway. It officially reopened its doors last year with a revival of On the Town. It will soon become the home of Cirque du Soleil’s first every Broadway production, Paramour, which will begin performances in April, 2016.
M&C’s Chairman Kwek Leng Beng, said, “It was time for The Hudson to again become a destination where New Yorkers and visitors from around the world will experience great theatre and entertainment. We are so pleased to have Ambassador Theatre Group partner with us on this new journey for The Hudson Theatre.”
ATG’s Executive Director, David Lazar, said “It’s a rare opportunity to give new life to a Broadway venue which helped establish Broadway as we know it. We thank Chairman Kwek for his great vision to return The Hudson Theatre to its rightful place on Broadway in partnership with ATG.”