'Hell's Kitchen' co-producer takes over Blue Man Group's old Manhattan home

A Tony Award-winning theater production company has found a home in Downtown Manhattan.

No Guarantees, the lead producer of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Fat Ham," has secured a long-term lease for Manhattan’s 298-seat Astor Place Theatre, which was home to the Blue Man Group for decades until the show ended its 33-year run there in February.

Although the Blue Man Group’s co-founders Phil Stanton, Chris Wink and Matt Goldman sold the production to Cirque du Soleil, they still co-own the building, and said they’re excited to see what No Guarantees creates in the space.

“We’re proud to have it go into the future with the same relevance and energy,” said Stanton.

No Guarantees was founded in 2017 and has been the lead producer on plays including “Fat Ham” and the musical “Bad Cinderella.” It also has co-producer and investor credits on Broadway shows such as “Hell’s Kitchen,” “Hadestown” and “Come From Away.”

“The theater itself is in amazing condition,” said Megan O'Keefe, the executive vice president at No Guarantees, adding that it could start putting on shows there as early as this fall.

O'Keefe also noted there is “a lot less blue paint" than when she first toured the space.

The company has been looking for a headquarters for some time without finding a space that was quite right, O’Keefe said. She said the downtown address was a draw.

“We wanted to make sure it was in a location that younger audiences would also be excited to go to,” said O’Keefe.

They do have changes planned, however, including converting some of the spaces that were previously used to aid the Blue Man production, such as a laundry room and workshop, into a bar and restaurant. But that’s quite a bit down the line.

One thing that won’t be changing is the theater's director of facilities: Simon Bogigian, who has held the job for over 20 years, will remain in the role.

The neighborhood has evolved over Bogigian's two decades downtown, but he said he’s excited the Astor will remain committed to innovative entertainment.

“I'm very thankful that No Guarantees has the vision and commitment to make sure live theater remains at the core of the New York City and Greenwich Village experience,” said Bogigian.

“I'm expecting less blue paint everywhere, but I'm also expecting the vibe to rock on and the creativity to continue to flow,” he said.