Broadway to Gain New Venue; Ambassador Theatre Group Will Reopen Hudson Theatre

Broadway officially has a new power player! British theater bigwig Howard Panter and his Ambassador Theatre Group have acquired the Hudson Theatre in the Hudson Hotel. They were previously reported to be in talks to to take over and renovate the 112-year-old venue, which would then seat 950. This will bring the number of Broadway theaters up to 41; building work is anticipated to be completed by November 2016.

The Hudson Theatre was granted landmark status for both its internal and external features in 1987. Situated just east of Broadway on West 44th Street, it opened in 1903 with Cousin Kate, starring Ethel Barrymore. It most recently has been used as a conference venue.

ATG already has in its portfolio the Great White Way’s Lyric Theatre, where Lord of the Dance is currently playing. Cirque du Soleil is set to take up residency at the Lyric next year, beginning with Paramour.

“The Shuberts” own 17 Broadway houses, followed by “The Nederlanders” who operate nine theaters and Jordan Roth’s Jujamcyn, which holds five. ATG additionally controls 40 theaters in Britain and Asia.