Arnold, Arden, Roadside Attractions converting church building into a theatre

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 12/11/23 at 7:59am

https://www.forbes.com/sites/marchershberg/2023/12/10/broadway-producers-plan-to-convert-church-into-theater/
 

The Limelight church will be getting some new spotlights.

Broadway producer Hunter Arnold, director Michael Arden, and film distributor Roadside Attractions have teamed up to transform the historic venue into a legitimate theater. “We believe that this is the most beautiful building in Manhattan, and what we would like to do is create a very kind of cultural institution ... where we can present high-quality entertainment,” stated Scott Moore, the marketing director at Arnold’s production company.

According to the blueprints, the new theater will have a circular stage with about 320 seats spread across two levels. The 21,000-square foot space will also offer four bars for theatergoers, and dressing rooms for the performers will be built on the third floor of the building.

[Lot666]

Posted: 12/11/23 at 8:40am

That building sure has gone through a lot of incarnations.

[Kad]

Posted: 12/11/23 at 9:01am

I’m surprised they’re going with a circular stage instead of just doing a flexible black box space, but a new off-Broadway stage is definitely very welcome news! 

[BJR]

Posted: 12/11/23 at 10:13am

What fantastic news. So sad to lose that historic space from anything of public value in recent years.

And agree about the circular stage, as that's quite limiting. But perhaps its uniqueness will inspire. Curious if they have a project they're hoping to open it with - I bet so.

[MayAudraBlessYou2]

Posted: 12/11/23 at 1:20pm

I chatted with Arden this past summer and he coyly mentioned that he had "really exciting" plans for an Off-Broadway space which would house one of his passion projects. I don't know what said project is (he has many circulating in his head) but this team absolutely has something specific in mind which will open the theater.

I hope they keep some of the iconic elements from its day as the Limelight club (and with this particular team involved, I'm sure they will). I assume this means that they have purchased the entire space? (If I remember correctly it was technically carved into 2 spaces when it housed that clothing marketplace and Mnstr Cycle). This is one of the most storied and iconic venues in the city and I'm so happy it will be repurposed yet again and given another life.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 12/11/23 at 5:17pm

MayAudraBlessYou2 said: 
I hope they keep some of the iconic elements from its day as the Limelight club (and with this particular team involved, I'm sure they will). 

 

Yes -- the concessions stand will still sell 8 balls.

 

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/11/23 at 5:23pm

JSquared2 said: "MayAudraBlessYou2 said:
I hope they keep some of the iconic elements from its day as the Limelight club (and with this particular team involved, I'm sure they will).



Yes -- the concessions stand will still sell 8 balls.

 

that comment made my day. Too funny!

"

 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 9/13/25 at 4:53pm

I guess this project isn’t happening. I’d forgotten about it until I saw this banner on the building today. 

https://imgur.com/a/P5T3h9w

[George in DC]

Posted: 9/13/25 at 10:27pm

OMG, I had so much fun at the Limelight. Second only to the The Saint.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 9/14/25 at 1:06am

The theater idea there is fine but I really wish he Limelight would come back or another club.  It was best that way.