The hit Broadway musical “Mamma Mia!†will transfer from the Winter Garden Theater to the Broadhurst Theater six blocks south this year so the Shubert Organization â€" which owns both theaters â€" can clear the way for the possible opening of a new musical, “Rocky,†at the Winter Garden next season. “Rocky,†which had its world premiere in Hamburg in November, has not been announced for Broadway, but two theater executives familiar with the “Rocky†plans said Thursday that the current plan is to open it at the Winter Garden by next spring, though nothing is set. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the “Rocky†plans are confidential. As for “Mamma Mia!,†its lead producer and creator, Judy Craymer, announced her show’s move on Thursday, and predicted that it would secure the future for “Mamma Mia!†on Broadway “for many years to come.†The reason: “Mamma Mia!†will save as much as $100,000 a week in running costs at the 1,160-seat Broadhurst, because the 1,530seat Winter Garden comes with higher costs, including rent, that are tied to its size. A spokesman for “Mamma Mia!†declined to provide the show’s weekly running costs; theater veterans believe the amount is between $600,000 and $700,000. After 12 years of performances the show’s ticket sales are usually in the mid-to-high six figures; last week it grossed $750,520.
