Broadway Producer Seaview Acquires Off Broadway Location

Seaview, the Tony Award-winning production company behind Broadway shows such as Stereophonic, Romeo + Juliet, Once Upon a Mattress And While and the recent Off Broadway productions of Hold on to me darling And Danny and the deep blue seaacquired the historic Tony Kiser Theater in Manhattan, formerly owned by Second Stage Theater Company.

The sale, which took effect January 1, 2025, will see a “refresh” of the 296-seat Off Broadway venue located in the city’s downtown theater district and a name change from Tony Kiser Theater to Studio Seaview . Although the Off Broadway designation is retained – Broadway venues must have at least 500 seats – the acquisition transforms the space from a nonprofit venue into a commercial theater.

Studio Seaview’s first production will be directed by Sam Gold and will debut in spring 2025, and will be announced shortly. Seaview has a long-standing relationship with Gold, having recently collaborated on Broadway’s An enemy of the people with Jeremy Strong and Romeo + Juliet with Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler.

Built as a bank in 1927, the building was transformed into the Second Stage Theater performance space in 1999 by architect Rem Koolhaas in association with Richard Gluckman. The theater’s distinctive design “will be treated with the utmost care under the direction of Seaview,” Seaview’s announcement said. Award-winning designer Scott Pask will oversee the preservation of Koolhaas’ iconic design, refreshing elements such as the bar and lobby to align with Seaview’s vision of “a welcoming, community-focused experience.”

The theater’s capacity will remain at 296 seats, with its infrastructure including rehearsal space, dressing rooms, flying space and large stage equipment. According to the new owners, these features make the venue suitable for both plays and musicals and allow for extensive design possibilities.

According to Seaview’s announcement, the new owner will “honor the theater’s rich history while introducing a new generation of theatergoers to new and bold work.”

“Seaview is excited to embark on this exciting new venture,” said Greg Nobile, co-founder and CEO of Seaview. “Seaview has been fortunate to work on Off Broadway since the company’s inception. We’re proud to join the community of theater operators and producers to bring more bold work to the city.

Seaview has recently been the main producer of Off Broadway hits Hold on to me darling with Adam Driver, and Danny and the deep blue sea with Aubrey Plaza and Christopher Abbott. Both productions were presented at the Lucille Lortel Theater in Manhattan’s West Village.

Nobile continued: “Our approach to Studio Seaview prioritizes both the artistic process and the audience experience. We want this space to be a place where groundbreaking works can come to life, where traditional theater barriers are broken down, and creativity flourishes. We are obsessed with creating an environment people want to live in. We believe the experience of going to the theater should be just as unique as the work itself, and we are excited to create that experience at Studio Seaview.

Nate Koch, Seaview’s Chief Operating Officer, said, “We are proud to continue the legacy of the Tony Kiser Theater and the extraordinary work that has been created there over the past 25 years under the leadership of Second Stage Theater by some of the most exceptional writers in our industry. , creatives, performers and practitioners. This is an opportunity to deepen our commitment to the Off Broadway revival – to keep a beloved historic theater intact while expanding our ability as a company to present exceptional creativity, in an intimate, private setting. the constraints of a traditional Broadway model. »

Second Stage left the Kiser – the name honored a donor to Second Stage – in 2024, one of the clearest indicators of the financial challenges facing nonprofit theaters in the city and across the country in the post-Covid era. Second Stage continues to produce shows on Broadway (such as the current Cult of Love and the next Aim) and Off Broadway at the Pershing Square Signature Center on 42nd Street.

“The freedom of Off Broadway allows us to take creative risks and explore new theatrical territories,” Nobile said. “We’re excited to program this space with shows that challenge the traditional theater model and might not find a home on a Broadway stage.” It’s a place where we can nurture work that we’re passionate about and that we think will resonate with audiences.

Seaview’s on-site programming will be scheduled on a show-by-show basis rather than adhering to traditional seasons, according to the producer.

Carol Fishman, former executive director of Second Stage Theater and a key figure in the creation of Tony Kiser Theater, will join Seaview as executive director of Studio Seaview.

“I am thrilled to join Seaview in this vital new venture that will provide resources to visionary artists and I will do so with the extraordinary freshness and imagination that characterize Seaview’s productions,” said Fishman. “Opening the Tony Kiser Theater was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career, and I am thrilled to return to 305 W 43rd Street, alongside Greg Nobile and Nate Koch, to launch Studio Seaview, a theater that will be just as transformative, Off-Broadway and beyond.

Seaview was founded in 2012 by Nobile and Jana Shea as a New York-based theater, film and television company. Upcoming Broadway productions this season include Good night and good luck with George Clooney, and The last five years with Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren. London productions include Slave play And My master builder.

Seaview is represented by real estate agents David A. Green, vice president of Tri-State Retail, and Xander Green, associate of Collier.