Live Nation, The Araca Group and EBG Partner For ‘In Residence On Broadway’

– Lunt-Fontanne Theatre

After the success of “Springsteen on Broadway,” a number of musicians will be following in The Boss’ footsteps with their own residencies on the Great White Way. Live Nation, The Araca Group and EBG (Entertainment Benefits Group) announced this week the companies have teamed up to bring “a variety of artists” to Broadway venues multiple times each year. 

The first location to host the residencies is the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, located at 205 West 46th Street. “In Residence on Broadway” will run May through July at the venue, with each artist playing five to 10 shows over the course of one to two weeks. 

Performers for the initial batch of “In Residence On Broadway” shows will be announced in the coming weeks. 

The 1,505-capacity Lunt-Fontanne Theatre is one of The Nederlander Organization’s nine Broadway theatres. The venue opened in 1910 as The Globe and after being turned into a movie house in 1932 it was gutted and rebuilt as a theatre in 1958. 

“Over the last few years on Broadway, we’ve seen non-traditional Broadway shows take center stage. In a time when shows other than musicals and plays are being presented, we started dreaming about bringing our favorite entertainers to Broadway,” said Matthew Rego of The Araca Group.

Scott Zeiger of EBG added, “We established In Residence on Broadway as an opportunity for artists to bring their talents to a true Broadway stage in New York, which will be a special experience for fans. The amazing team of designers will create customized stage experiences to reflect each artist’s signature style.”

In Residence on Broadway’s production team includes Tony and Emmy nominated lightning designer Mike Baldassari, five-time Tony nominated sound designer Peter Hylenski and Tony nominated sound designer Garth Helm. The shows will be produced by Live Nation, The Araca Group and EBG, with lighting and sound equipment provided by PRG. 

Bruce Springsteen’s stay at the 975-seat Walter Kerr Theatre won the Pollstar Award for Best Residency. After initially signing on for three months starting in October 2017, the show was extended several times and ended its run Dec. 15. Although he played 236 sold-out shows, selling 223,585 tickets and grossing $113,151,518 over his Broadway run. 

Seeing Springsteen up close and personal cost a pretty penny, with an average ticket price sold on Broadway was $505.93 through mid-November, compared to the average ticket on his “On the River Tour” with the E Street Band during 2016-17 priced at $114.86.

The New York Post reported in November that Live Nation, Creative Artists Agency and EBG had plans in the works for Broadway residency shows, with CAA clients such as Beyoncé and Barbra Streisand named as potential artists. The companies reportedly denied the claims. 

Last week Morrissey announced a seven-show residency at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre scheduled May 2-11.