Ever since Harry Potter and the Cursed Child debuted this summer at the Palace Theatre London, fans have wondered if the Harry Potter play would ever hop the pond to make its way stateside. Now we know that J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter sequel will come to the U.S. in 2018, and every Broadway theatre wants Cursed Child on its marquee.
Asking how Cursed Child would fare in the U.S. is a rather foolish question. Back in July, The New York Times reported that "a Broadway production of the play is as close to a surefire success as one can imagine." The New York Post quotes an unnamed Broadway producer, who says that the Harry Potter play would enjoy "a 10-year run in New York at the very least."
Cursed Child isn't your average play, and I'm not talking about the special effects. The stage is a lot like any other creative career field: a slush pile. For most actors, writers, directors, producers, and their plays, it's difficult to rise to the top without a little luck and a wealth of talent. But the wizarding franchise's iconic status means theatre owners will be locked in a bidding war for the Harry Potter play, and Cursed Child producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callendar won't be sitting home alone by the phone.
Now the question is, which of Broadway's 41 theatres will Cursed Child appear in? Some of New York City's finest institutions are clamoring to secure the Harry Potter play for a 2018 run, including the Al Hirschfeld, which is currently showing Kinky Boots.
Logistics may prevent some would-be candidates from snatching up Cursed Child, however. The Neil Simon (Cats) and the Imperial (Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812) may both have an opening before 2018, making them likely choices for Friedman and Callendar. On the other hand, it's unlikely that Andrew Lloyd Webber would be willing to see his Tony-nominated adaptation of School of Rock pushed out of the Winter Garden, even for his fellow Brits.
For now, U.S. Potterheads will just have to wait and see where Albus and Scorpius wind up.
Tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child are currently sold out, but you can always try your luck with the Friday Forty.
