Following the May 4 fire at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, The Book of Mormon on Broadway had to go dark. The show initially announced it would reopen May 21. But due to repairs taking longer than expected, the show has announced a new reopening date of May 27.
Said ATG Entertainment, the owners of the O’Neill, in a statement, though they “were encouraged by the speed of initial work in the theatre…recovery took longer than expected this past weekend.”
The O’Neill box office is now operational for ticket buyers.
On May 4, a fire broke out in the spotlight room at the O’Neill, which contains electrical equipment and is located between the fourth and fifth floor. The fire then spread to the roof. The New York City Fire Department subsequently characterized the fire as three alarm, leading to holes in the roof and “heavy fire, water, and smoke damage.” There was no damage to the public spaces of the theatre. Following the fire, the New York Department of Building issued a vacate order to the Eugene O’Neill, saying it was “not safe for people to be in the building until it is repaired.”
ATG Entertainment had been working to repair the theatre. Progress has been fast, with the DOB on May 13 rescinding the vacate order partially, saying the theatre’s public spaces can be reoccupied. Official reports read that: “observed damages in public assembly spaces have been repaired, are in compliance to be reopened for public occupation. However, spotlight room is to remain vacated.”
Said ATG and The Book of Mormon in a joint statement: “ATG Entertainment, who are the owners and operators of the O’Neill, and The Book of Mormon are extremely grateful to the FDNY and the Department of Buildings for their help and cooperation throughout the repair efforts.”