3 Weeks After Fire, ‘The Book of Mormon’ Reopens on Broadway
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- "The Book of Mormon" resumed performances on Wednesday night after a three-week hiatus caused by a significant electrical fire at the Eugene O’Neill Theater, where the show has run for 15 years.
- The fire, which occurred on May 4, required a large emergency response involving 192 firefighters and took two hours to control, with firefighters cutting holes in the theater's roof to manage the blaze.
- Matt Stone, one of the show's creators, acknowledged the reopening as the third major opening event for the production, referencing the original opening in 2011, the pandemic reopening, and now the post-fire reopening.
- Manhattan borough president Brad Hoylman-Sigal honored the Fire Department’s efforts with a proclamation during the reopening event before the show resumed with its signature opening number.
- Details on the fire damage and repair costs remain undisclosed by the production and theater owner, though the fire was reported to be isolated to the theater’s spotlight booth or an electrical room.