Off-Broadway's Astor Place Theatre, the longtime home of Blue Man Group, will become the new home for Tony-winning Broadway and West End producing group No Guarantees Productions, according to in the New York Times.
No programming has been announced, though the group, led by Christine Schwarzman, hopes to begin producing work there as soon as this fall. Additional plans reportedly include transforming the adjoining space previously used for Blue Man Group's set building and laundry into a restaurant and bar.
As a lead producer, the group is represented in this season with current Best Play Tony nominee The Hills of California, and Goddess, a new musical currently making its Off-Broadway debut across the street from Astor Place at the Public. The company has also served as a co-producer and investor in Broadway's also-currently-Tony-nominated revivals of Gypsy, Romeo + Juliet, and Sunset Blvd.
The move makes the theatre the latest Off-Broadway space to come under the control of a for-profit producing entity, part of a rapidly changing Off-Broadway landscape. Seaview Productions launched its Studio Seaview (formerly Second Stage's Tony Kiser Theater) with the John Krasinski-starring solo play Angry Alan just last week, and Audible has been presenting works in the Minetta Lane Theatre for years, including the world premiere of current Best Musical Tony nominee Dead Outlaw.
The venue, which seats 298, is still owned by Blue Man Group, though No Guarantees has reportedly signed a long-term lease.
