Nice article about the Longacre Theatre renovation

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 4:05am

From today's New York Times, there is a very nice article on the $12 million restoration of the Longacre Theatre. Above, some photos of the work from an accompanying slide show. Link to the article is below.
On Broadway, Revivals Aren't Only For Shows

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 4:10am

As point of comparison, here are some photos of the pre-renovation Longacre. This is what the article terms accurately as the theatre's 1970s "hideous" mushroom and cream phase.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 4:33am

I have yet to see Mushroom work as a color anywhere. But the new photos from the Times are stunning.

[CyCoSpAz2]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 6:32am

How much are tickets to sit on that ladder selling for?

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 7:50am

Simply fantastic pictures. I remember the place being so cold and unwelcoming on the 2 or 3 times I've seen shows there in the past.
And why cove up the front of both mezzanines like that?? Look what was underneath!
It looks gorgeous now!

Updated On: 5/3/08 at 07:50 AM

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 8:43am

In the late 80s or early 90s, there was talk that the Longacre was going to be repurposed as a Midtown Court House. Despite the theatre's long period of ugliness and unfortunate shows, it would still be a blow to lose any more Broadway legit theatres. It's really a fantastic thing that the Shubert Organization went from that potential low point to a $12 million restoration. Hope that Boeing-Boeing is the first of many hits there.

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 8:49am

What will be the next house to get renovated? Its not like the Shubert's don't have the cash!

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 9:05am

The rumor is that the Belasco is next on their list, whenever Passing Strange ends its run.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 9:20am

The Belasco renovation is true according to one of the ushers working the theater a few weeks ago.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 9:24am

Nice article.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 10:00am

What a transformation!

Just don't re-name another theatre!

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 10:10am

Not even the Frank Wildhorn theater?

[Thomas14850ny2]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 10:16am

I haven't seen a show at the Longacre since the '50s. The Lark with Julie Harris, Christopher Plummer and Boris Karloff and The Pleasure of His Company with Cornelia Otis Skinner and Cyril Ritchard. I'm anxious to see the inside of the theatre again!

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 12:10pm

The Belasco is gorgeous now but will be stunning if renovated. It would be great if they converted the apartment upstairs into a theatre bar and decorate it with the apartments history.

Updated On: 5/3/08 at 12:10 PM

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 12:54pm

I'm going to spend an hour or two tomorrow with my Shuberts Book- 'The Shuberts Present A 100 Years Of American Theatre'. A beautiful book for any theatre fan.

AND really cheap now compared to the $60 i payed when it was first published!

Updated On: 5/3/08 at 12:54 PM

[jaystarr]

Posted: 5/4/08 at 6:53pm

WickedBoy2- Thanks for that info.. I just bought one for $10.00 (used) . I love books about Theaters.

The Shubert Years Presents : 100 Years of American Theater:
Prices start at $3.00 (used) at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Shuberts-Present-Years-American-Theater/dp/0810906147/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product

J*
Updated On: 5/4/08 at 06:53 PM

[stagescreen]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 9:27am

You'll like the book, j*...one of my favorite coffee table books. Great photos!
The four page photo of the "Winter Garden Company" is my favorite...with Al Jolson appearing several times in the photograph.

[louisamayfoster]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 10:05am

Oh wow! Thanks for posting this!

[winston89]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 10:47am

I am looking forward to the renovation of the Belasco. To say that that theatre is overdue for a renovation is a mass understatement.

I think that the Belasco was in more of a need of a renovation then the Longacre but the Longacre does look nice with what they did to it.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 11:31am

>I think that the Belasco was in more of a need of a renovation then the Longacre<

I would disagree with that. The Longacre had a drab, depressing interior. It was dispiriting even walking in there. The Belasco, though much more run down than the Longacre, is such a unique looking theatre, that even with the moldering murals, the crudely painted over mahogany woodwork, the mismatched seats, the missing Tiffany light fixtures, the two missing side boxes, the cracking plaster, the rusted marquee, it still somehow manages to make an impression.

[JRybka]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 11:35am

is sounds like you are talking about the set of a new production of FOLLIES

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 11:38am

DONT LET THEM DESTROY THAT MARQUEE FOR 'THE BELESCO' -THAT IS SO BRODAWAY!!!!!
Jay, its an amazing book- enjoy. $10 -lucky guy!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 11:41am

That is the only Broadway Theatre that I have yet to see a show in. Looks wonderful though.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 12:02pm

>DONT LET THEM DESTROY THAT MARQUEE FOR 'THE BELESCO' -THAT IS SO BRODAWAY!!!!!<

That present marquee for the Belasco was put up sometime in the 1950s. It's not the marquee that the theatre originally had, which was beautiful and elegant. See the image below. I also wonder what happened to those fantastic creepy light fixtures midway up on the facade.

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 12:05pm

I do like todays marquee a little more i think.
Not being from New York, the current marquee is so what we are used to seeing in old movies etc. Of course, the original in the photo is gorgeous too.