The 39 Steps To Re-Open Off-Broadway in March

What was only speculated a couple months ago is now final: The 39 Steps, which recently enjoyed a two-year run on Broadway before closing at the Helen Hayes Theatre on January 10, will re-open Off-Broadway at New World Stages. The new production, which has yet to be cast, will start performances on March 25. In making this move, The 39 Steps has copied the route recently taken by Avenue Q, the popular musical that had a long Broadway run and then, very shortly after closing its Broadway production, moved to New World Stages Off-Broadway. The theory is that shows like these, which have relatively low production costs (because of small casts and simple sets) and still have some selling power (just not enough to fill an entire Broadway theater), can prolong their New York life by transferring to a smaller Off-Broadway theater where running costs are lower. When Avenue Q made the move, it appeared to be a fluke. But now that The 39 Steps is attempting the same strategy, Broadway wags think it could be a trend.

The 39 Steps Pulls An Avenue Q

The Alfred Hitchcockian comedy The 39 Steps, scheduled to conclude its lengthy Broadway run in January, appears to have its eye on Off-Broadway. Earlier this year, Avenue Q raised eyebrows when, immediately following its Broadway closing at the John Golden Theatre, it announced that the production would be re-opening at New World Stages for another Off-Broadway run. It looks like the producers of The 39 Steps were inspired to try the same strategy, as they are now posting casting notices for a new Off-Broadway production of the show. Like Avenue Q, The 39 Steps is a small show (it only has a four-person cast) that could work quite well Off-Broadway. The fact that it survived two years on Broadway - a major feat for a play - indicates that there is a good audience for the show, so Off-Broadway may be the perfect place for it. There will not be pressure to sell as many tickets to a smaller theater, and the running costs will be lower.

Avenue Q Returns To Off-Broadway

After a mere month-long hiatus, the popular musical Avenue Q re-opens in New York City today, this time at Off-Broadway's New World Stages in Times Square. The amazing thing about this opening is that it marks the extremely rare event of a show beginning life Off-Broadway (at the Vineyard Theatre), transferring successfully to Broadway (at the John Golden Theatre), enjoying a healthy multi-year Broadway run, closing, and then almost instantaneously transferring back to Off-Broadway. Rare though this approach is, it seems logical since the "puppet musical", which is still known and loved by audiences, will be cheaper to produce Off-Broadway and will not have to fill as many seats. This "new" Avenue Q is essentially the same production as the one seen on Broadway, but it features brand new cast members.

Avenue Q To Return To Off-Broadway!

It appears that we may have eulogized Avenue Q too soon. At the closing performance at the John Golden Theatre on September 13, the show's producers announced that though the beloved puppet musical may be leaving Broadway, it won't be leaving New York City. The show will re-open on October 9 at the Off-Broadway theater complex New World Stages. So Avenue Q fans need only walk five blocks north to see their favorite Sesame Street-inspired satirical musical now. This kind of move, taking a show from Broadway to Off-Broadway, is highly unusual, but actually makes a lot of sense for this particular show. Avenue Q already proved that it can do well Off-Broadway with its pre-Broadway Vineyard Theatre run, and even the long-running Broadway production never completely ran out of steam - the show still has many fans and still draws a fair number of tourists. Moving Avenue Q to a smaller Off-Broadway space, which will be easier to fill and likely has far cheaper rent, could be a very smart, innovative move. It will be interesting to see if any other smaller Broadway shows might try the same strategy in the future. Casting for the Off-Broadway production has not been announced yet, but tickets are already on sale.

Lortel Awards Honor Off-Broadway Shows

The winners of the 2007-2008 Lucille Lortel Awards, which award excellence in New York's Off-Broadway theatre, were announced today. The honors were fairly evenly distributed among notable Off-Broadway productions including George Packer's Betrayed (Outstanding Play) and Adrienne Kennedy's Ohio State Murders (Outstanding Revival). Some of the recipients of acting honors included Elizabeth Franz in The Piano Teacher and Mare Winningham in 10 Million Miles. The closest thing to a sweep was The Adding Machine's four wins, for Outstanding Musical, Director, Lead Actor, and Lighting Design. This is the 23rd year for the Lortel Awards, which are presented by the League of Off-Broadway Theatres and Producers.

$20 Off-Broadway Ticket Deal Is Back

The "20 at 20" ticket discount, which allows people to buy $20 tickets to any of 20 different Off-Broadway shows, has returned for a limited time from February 25 to March 9. The catch is that these discount tickets don't become available until 20 minutes before curtain and are subject to availability. For more information, and a list of participating Off-Broadway shows, see www.offbroadway.com.

See Off-Broadway Shows for $20

This is your last chance to take advantage of the special "20 at 20" offer that allows you to get $20 tickets for a variety of Off-Broadway shows, including Altar Boyz, The Fantasticks, Forbidden Broadway, and Stomp. At 20 minutes before curtain, these and many other Off-Broadway plays and musicals will sell any remaining tickets to the show for just $20 each. This offer ends this Sunday, September 16. Visit www.offbroadway.com for a complete list of participating shows.