THE PROM, being just across the road from the Walter Kerr, might attract all those last minute folks who get turned away from SPRINGSTEEN ON BROADWAY, at least for its first two months while the runs of the two productions overlap.
Also, aside from BRIGHT STAR, which had a brief run, the Cort has not housed another musical in years. On the other hand, the Longacre has been home to the long runs of A BRONX TALE and LA CAGE, and people have become accustomed to seeing musicals there. :-)
If those reasons were not compelling enough to justify the switch, it has been well-publicized that the Cort will undergo a renovation and expansion in the near future. It is likely, the producers of THE PROM did not want to be squeezed out of their home, similar to the way SPONGEBOB, for similar reasons, must vacate the Palace.
And, of course, the Longacre still glows from its latest renovation, and has better lavs.
Good move! |