The musical "The Book of Mormon" has canceled performances for approximately two weeks following an electrical fire at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre [1].
The closure disrupts one of Broadway's most consistent draws, forcing the production to halt operations while the venue undergoes safety inspections and repairs. This suspension affects both the cast and the thousands of tourists who visit the 230 West 49th Street location daily.
The fire broke out in the lighting booth on Monday, May 4, 2026 [3]. In response to the incident, the city Buildings Department issued a safety vacate order, which prohibits anyone from entering the premises until the structure is deemed safe for public use [1], [2].
Production officials said Wednesday that the theater will remain closed through at least May 17, 2026 [2]. While some reports suggested the theater was closed indefinitely [1], the current timeline indicates a two-week window for the primary recovery efforts [1].
There were no reports of injuries resulting from the blaze. The production team is working with city officials to resolve the electrical issues that caused the fire, a process that requires rigorous certification before the show can return to the stage [1], [2].
Ticket holders for the affected dates are expected to receive information regarding refunds or rescheduling as the production team coordinates with the venue management [1].
“The Eugene O'Neill Theatre will remain closed through at least May 17.”
This closure highlights the vulnerability of aging Broadway infrastructure to electrical failures. Because the city Buildings Department issued a formal vacate order, the production cannot resume until the city certifies the venue's safety, making the May 17 date a minimum estimate rather than a guaranteed reopening.
