The Book of Mormon has announced a return date at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre. The O’Neill box office (which was temporarily relocated to the August Wilson Theatre) will be reopen to the public May 15, and the show will resume performances May 21. The show had to pause performances ever since a fire broke at the theatre May 4.
In celebration of the show’s 15th anniversary, the first 50 people at the box office on Friday can purchase $15 tickets for select performances throughout the summer. Each person will be able to purchase two tickets.
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, who owns the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, 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.”
