The Ambassador Theatre Group, a British theater owner and producer that owns nearly 40 theaters in the U.K, has acquired Broadway’s Foxwoods Theatre from entertainment company Live Nation. The Foxwoods Theatre, which is currently home to Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, seats nearly 2,000 people and is the largest theater on Broadway.
Owned by Howard Panter and his wife Rosemary Squire, ATG is the largest operator of theaters in the U.K., including the Donmar Warehouse, the Savoy Theatre, the Theatre Royal and the Manchester Opera House, to name a few. ATG secured all of Live Nation’s U.K. theaters in 2009, including the Lyceum (home of The Lion King) and the Apollo Theatre (home of Wicked). On Broadway, ATG has produced The Mountaintop, Exit the King and Sweeney Todd.
“It is no secret that we at ATG have been looking to expand our impressive portfolio of U.K. theaters, by making acquisitions and alliances in strategic markets around the world,” Panter said in a statement. “We have been waiting for the right opportunity and The Foxwoods Theatre is a perfect match for our ambitions. Ownership of The Foxwoods Theatre within the Group will provide a catalyst to expand in the North American market and to further build on our past production successes in North America.”
Located on West 42nd Street in Times Square, the Foxwoods Theatre was formerly known as the Hilton Theatre and the Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark initially opened on June 14, 2011. Previously, the theater has been the home to Ragtime, Jesus Christ Superstar, 42nd Street, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Hot Feet, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Pirate Queen and Young Frankenstein.