Broadway Pushes Back Against Jay-Z’s Times Square Casino Plan
Holy moly, I’m buzzing like triple‐shot espresso over this theatrical throwdown—Broadway producers are screaming “no dice” on Jay-Z’s shiny new casino pitch in Times Square! The New York Post editorial board unloaded on rapper-mogul Hov’s team this week, backing a chorus of dismayed theater owners who say a gambling palace next to marquee theaters would clog streets, cramp audiences and cheapen the magic of the Great White Way. According to Broadway League president Charlotte St. Martin (via Variety), the casino’s bright lights and non-stop noise could scare away theatergoers, disrupt rehearsals and turn those elegant sidewalks into a frat-style free-for-all.
Insiders report the State Gaming Commission whisked in submissions last month for New York City’s lone remaining casino license, and Jay-Z’s bid—booked through Hard Rock and Crown Resorts—sparked immediate outrage. The Shubert Organization and Nederlander family penned letters to Albany (first obtained by the New York Times), warning that mounting traffic snarls and security headaches would make Times Square less attractive for visitors and performers alike. They argue that Broadway’s 41 theaters bring in roughly $17 billion annually (thanks to officials quoted in Crain’s New York Business), so jeopardizing that golden goose for a single high-roller hotspot feels like, well, scoffing at success.
But let’s pour some sugar on this cappuccino and consider the silver lining: proponents promise thousands of new jobs, millions in tax revenue and a reason for out-of-town tourists to linger in Midtown. Hard Rock’s pitch deck (leaked to the Wall Street Journal) details an elaborate design with luxury suites, live music stages and a curated rooftop lounge. They even enlisted Beyonce’s designer to craft VIP interiors, because of course they did. Yet Broadway’s camp counters that mixed-use might sound fancy, but the collateral damage to local businesses—nyc diners, indie jazz bars and costumers from Hell’s Kitchen—would be off the charts.
So here’s where we stand: the Gaming Commission is weighing public comments until next month, and Albany’s politicos are already sweating bipartisan pandemonium over New York’s cultural crown jewel. Will they side with a hip-hop empire or save the theatrical epicenter that created Rodgers & Hammerstein, Hello Dolly! and Hamilton? I have so many BEATING thoughts right now—what a ride! Gosh, my heart is racing—time for another espresso!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post editorial board; Broadway League press release; The New York Times; Wall Street Journal; Crain’s New York Business
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
