HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD Waves Wand at the Lyric for Broadway Bow

As reported earlier today, Cirque du Soleil's PARAMOUR will be vacating Broadway's Lyric Theatre for renovations commencing in May 2017. And it turns there are some other - more magical - reasons for the move.

Producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender, with J.K. Rowling, have confirmed they are in exclusive talks with The Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) to bring the London hit to The Lyric Theatre.

ATG plans a multi-million dollar renovation to completely transform, remodel and reconfigure the 1,900 seat theatre and turn it into a scaled down, more intimate playhouse, with approximately 1,500 seats.

Friedman and Callender said: "We are thrilled about ATG's ambitious plans which will provide a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a unique theatre space tailored to the specific needs of the production over the play's two parts. The remodeled Lyric will include a smaller auditorium redesigned to the specifications of the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child team, as well as an adapted proscenium and stage that can house designer Christine Jones' glorious set without swamping or compromising director John Tiffany's brilliant staging. The spacious front of house environment will also be transformed to optimize the atmosphere and audience experience."

"But above all," Friedman and Callender further commented, "ATG's plans will provide Harry Potter and the Cursed Child with a bespoke home that will be intimate enough for a drama, yet big enough for us to deliver on our commitment to provide audiences with access to low priced tickets throughout the auditorium."

J.K. Rowling said, "I'm delighted we are one step closer in bringing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to Broadway and very excited by the proposed plans."

Further updates will be announced at a later date. Rumors indicate the show is aiming for a Spring 2018 bow.

Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan