Mark Hellinger Theatre

[Wicked63]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 8:49am

Have any of you been there?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 8:51am

It's not like it's an abandoned coalmine...

[Born To Reign]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 8:52am

I always pass and want to go in, pretending I want to go to church. Haven't done it yet though.

[Wicked63]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 8:52am

i asked if anyone had been there. youd be surprised of the number of people who havent why that remark?

[FrontRowCenter2]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 8:54am

I think there have been numerous threads on this - absolutely beautiful theater, saw Coco there (among others) now a church (of sorts)
Praying it will again be a legitimate theater soon

[Wicked63]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 8:57am

Go in, especialy if theres a service going on. They dont mind you just walking in and haveing a look around. Im from the UK and on most NY visits i try and get a 5 minute walk around. It truly is a stunning theatre, one of the most beautiful ive been in on all my travels around the world. I posted this for the people who may never have known it as a theatre thats all!
Updated On: 6/26/07 at 08:57 AM

[Wicked63]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:00am

The Nederlanders sold it to the church for $17m dollars around 15 years ago which basiclay seals its fate as church for some time. It wasnt the most successful of Broadway houses which proberbly prompted the sale. The church have spend millions on restoring the auditorium without takeing any of the theatrical feel away. Its just stunning.

[Born To Reign]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:01am

I still find it amusing that it's where the original Jesus Christ Superstar played... now it's a church... funny

[Wicked63]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:05am

I think Sugar Babies was its longest tennent with a great run of 1200 perf in 1978/9. It had some pretty dire shows there also such as Grind and Legs Diamond. The original production of The Sound Of Music moved here to end its run. Id love to have seen CoCo- i was listening to it only last week.

[FrontRowCenter2]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:08am

1949: The Mikado; The Pirates of Penzance
1951: Two on the Aisle
1953: Hazel Flagg
1955: Plain and Fancy; Ankles Aweigh
1956: My Fair Lady
1962: The Sound of Music
1964: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum; Fade Out - Fade In
1965: On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
1966: A Joyful Noise
1967: Illya Darling
1969: Dear World; Coco
1971: Man of La Mancha; Jesus Christ Superstar
1973: Seesaw
1976: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue; Porgy and Bess
1977: Shenandoah
1978: Platinum
1979: Sugar Babies
1982: A Doll's Life
1983: Merlin
1984: Oliver!
1986: Rags
1988: Legs Diamond

[jordangirl]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:14am

Where IS it?

[Wicked63]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:16am

Broadway and 51st Its got a theatre marquee saying TimesSquare Church on it- very hard to miss. Please go.

[Wicked63]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:18am

Hey FrontRow! thanks for that list- i love lists. You can see the decline in quaility of its shows before it closed.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:18am

Ew. That "church" scares me. I like liturgy. :)

[Wicked63]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:20am

You'll never see the most beautiful theatre then. Up to you! It doesnt feel like a church in any way- its 100% preserved as a theatre. Its as if a show is about to strike up its overture. Go and report back to me imediately!

[Wicked63]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:22am

I agree its not the best looking exterior is it, but not the worst. Looking at the show list in more detail it sure had a massive share of bad luck with its shows.

[FrontRowCenter2]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:24am

Wicked, you're absolutely right - if you haven't had the chance to see the inside of the Mark Hellinger - GO - it is one of the most beautiful theaters I've ever seen -
oh the memories!!!!

[jordangirl]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:24am

No thanks. I deal with enough with the scientology freaks shoving postcards in my face. And with the church members of that place on the streets and in restaurants after their service assuming I haven't been to my own place of worship, which I have...over on Park between 51st and 52nd. :) I HAVE a church and don't need to be evangelized.

[Wicked63]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:39am

sorry only for die hard theatree lovers then.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:40am

I have been in there four or five times...it is the most beautiful theater in New York and I hope I get to see a Broadway show there someday during my lifetime.

The last time I was there, I sat in the 6th row center orchestra and pretending I was watching opening night of 1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE. Wish I could have been there to witness Patricia Routledge sing "Duet for One" live.
Updated On: 6/26/07 at 09:40 AM

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:43am

I really hope that one day that lovely theatre will be out of the clutches of the "Happy Clap" people. It deserves better.

[Wicked63]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:47am

I think that the church should put on full blown Broadway musiclals and make enough money from them they can build a brand new church for themselves somewhere else and then we can have the Mark Hellinger back

[keen on kean]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:56am

Thank you for pointing this out! I will definitely check it out the next time I am in the neighborhood.

[Glebb]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 10:22am

I performed in the Mark Hellinger Theatre with Nureyev and The Joffrey Ballet in 1978.
I remember that the house was beautiful and backstage worked for ballet (sets etc).

[jordangirl]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 10:24am

I AM a full blown theatre lover. I am NOT a charismatic evangelical church lover. BIG difference.