The U.K.-based Ambassador Theatre Group has assumed control of San Francisco’s Curran Theatre from producer Carole Shorenstein Hays, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
ATG, which operates 50 theatres around the world (including Broadway's Lyric and Hudson Theatres), was leased the Curran as of June 11.
Shorenstein Hays, a key player in the San Francisco theatre scene since the late '70s, also lost a court case with the Nederlander Organization, her former partner through Shorenstein Hays Nederlander (SHN), which claimed she violated a non-compete clause by presenting Dear Evan Hansen at the Curran last season. The clause barred the producer from presenting Broadway works within 50 miles of San Francisco. The June 20 Delaware Supreme Court ruling overturned a previous decision that allowed the presentation of the Tony-winning musical.
SHN attorney Matthew Larrabee confirmed he plans to pursue damages for Dear Evan Hansen as well as the tours of Fun Home, Bright Star, and Eclipse, previously seen at the Curran. The upcoming sit-down engagement of the two-part Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is expected to go on as planned.
Shorenstein Hays, who purchased the Curran in 2010 and refurbished it in 2017, will continue to own the venue and retain a silent 50 percent partnership in SHN.
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