(l to r) Tala Ashe (Elham), Hadi Tabbal (Omid), Ava Lalezarzadeh (Goli), Marjan Neshat (Marjan), Pooya Mohseni (Roya) in Roundabout Theatre Company’s Broadway premiere production of “English.”
Photo by Joan Marcus/provided
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the reopening of the Todd Haimes Theatre in NYC’s Theater District on Thursday.
Renovations at the venue, which is part of the Roundabout Theatre Company, began in August last year as a $24 million makeover project, funded in part by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), Empire State Development and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY).
“The curtain rises on a new chapter at the Todd Haimes Theatre as this transformative renovation supports greater accessibility to the arts for all,” Hochul said. “Our unparalleled Theater District brings visitors from all around the world, all throughout the year. Iconic venues like this drive tourism, boost our economic strength and make New York State the global capital of arts and culture.”
According to a press release from the governor’s office, the renovations include a restoration of the venue’s historic interior, electrical improvements to the façade, updates to elevators, accessible renovations to restrooms, improved safety systems along with new seating and carpet.
Further accessibility is planned, with a new Bluetooth-enabled assistive listening system that will allow deaf or hard-of-hearing audience members to connect devices directly to the 115-year-old theatre’s sound system.
NYC officials applauded the renovations, underscoring the importance of Broadway and theater to the city’s economy. According to the trade organization, the Broadway League, NYC’s 2024-2025 theater season wrapped with whopping grosses of $1.89 billion.
“Thank you to Governor Hochul for her continued investment in Manhattan’s cultural institutions and the Theater District, which remain central to our borough’s identity and economic vitality,” Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal said. “The reopening of the Todd Haimes Theatre ensures this historic Broadway venue is more accessible, welcoming and equipped to serve audiences for generations to come. I’m grateful to Roundabout Theatre Company and our state partners for strengthening a cornerstone of Midtown and keeping Manhattan at the heart of the global arts community.”
State Sen. Liz Krueger, who represents Manhattan’s East Side, said she is a “lifelong theater-goer” who has seen first-hand the benefits of theater improvements.
“With enhanced accessibility and revamped multi-purpose spaces, the renovated Todd Haimes Theatre will advance Todd’s legacy to better serve over 400,000 theatregoers, artists and community members every year,” she said.