A fire broke out Monday at the Broadway theater hosting “The Book of Mormon,” forcing the long-running musical to close at least temporarily while the historic theater undergoes repairs.
FDNY Assistant Chief David Sims said the fire started in the electrical room and caused “significant damage” to the Eugene O’Neill Theater. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
“Everyone has safely evacuated the theater,” theater owner ATG Entertainment said in a statement. “We will keep all parties informed of developments.”
It’s unclear how long the 1,108-seat theater will be out of service. A spokesperson for The Book of Mormon did not immediately respond to a message. The next performance of the play is Tuesday.
Sims said the damage was concentrated in the fourth-floor area and a back room containing lighting fixtures and hanging chandeliers. There was also some flooding, he said.
He said firefighters initially had difficulty extinguishing the flames due to walkways and rigging inside the theatre, but eventually brought the blaze under control. One firefighter suffered minor injuries.
“The Book of Mormon” is one of Broadway’s longest-running shows, having played more than 5,000 performances since its 2011 debut at the Eugene O’Neill Theater.
The theater opened in 1925 and has previously staged performances such as “Sweeney Todd,” a revival of Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and the rock musical “Spring Awakening.”
Photo: Fire trucks park outside the Eugene O’Neill Theater on Monday, May 4, 2026, in New York City. (AP Photo/David Martin)
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