Broadway Museum?
Broadway Museum?
hannhannham
Chorus Member Joined: 2/5/16
#1Broadway Museum?
Posted: 1/15/17 at 12:44pm
Sorry if this has been posted before. I did a search and found a few sparse threads on it. Any info on why there is not a large space broadway museum yet ? I think it would be a great addition to the theatre district, and it certainly can't be hard to get artifacts and mementos for it. The ideas for exhibits are endless and could change frequently enough that people would be repeat visitors. It seems like the perfect way to kill a few hours in the area while you're waiting to head to a show.
Why hasnt this happened? Lack of space? Surely investors would be interested.
If there was a Broadway museum, what are some exhibits you'd love to see?
MarkBearSF
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/25/11
#2Broadway Museum?
Posted: 1/15/17 at 4:24pm
If you've seen "Bright Lights" the Debbie Reynolds & Carrie Fisher documentary, recall that Debbie spent decades trying to get a Hollywood museum established to no success. I'd think that Broadway might be even more difficult.
I'm planning on seeing the exhibit at the NY Public Library for the Performing Arts in Lincoln Center on our next visit. I don't know how large it is. https://www.nypl.org/events/exhibitions/curtainup
#3Broadway Museum?
Posted: 1/16/17 at 10:05am
,,,, and then there's the small but impressive collection in the upper lobby areas of the Gershwin Theater
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Theater_Hall_of_Fame
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#4Broadway Museum?
Posted: 1/16/17 at 10:43am
I think a museum would be fantastic. Think of the exhibits incorporating actual set pieces and costumes. For us Broadway geeks it would be like a pilgrimage to Mecca, though I don't know how much interest there would be beyond that, or at least enough to make it profitable. With so many shows either not recouping or barely breaking even, it's not like a bunch of producers would get together and start this.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#5Broadway Museum?
Posted: 1/16/17 at 11:14am
And set pieces are not something that they just keep hanging around. Same with props and such...for the most part. Stuff from years gone by is not readily around.
Would anyone really care to see Mark's scarf from Rent? Who hasn't seen it... and how would you even know if it was IT? Pictures tell so much more then an exhibit could.
I don't really see a huge interest in this. Any space would be limiting as to what could be displayed, and the rent would be insane.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#6Broadway Museum?
Posted: 1/16/17 at 11:18am
Isn't there that group who want to turn the Times Square Theatre into a museum dedicated to broadway?
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BroadwayConcierge
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
#7Broadway Museum?
Posted: 1/16/17 at 11:18am
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History down in D.C. rotates its exhibits and presentations over time. It would be amazing if they had a limited exhibition of thoroughly researched and archived Broadway and/or American musical theatre (or drama) history. It's just as tantamount to American cultural history as film, food, and other works I've seen there. That would be sensational.
#8Broadway Museum?
Posted: 1/16/17 at 11:36am
The NYPL at Lincoln Center has some stuff, the original Elphaba dress, Lion King costumes, but it's pretty small. Not really a full out museum
#9Broadway Museum?
Posted: 1/17/17 at 8:39am
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't they planning to do something like this with the Hammerstein House in Pennsylvania?
http://puccinischronicles.wordpress.com
#10Broadway Museum?
Posted: 1/17/17 at 11:05am
There are so many Broadway artifacts spread out over the country, I wish there was a large museum. Stuff like this is fascinating to me:
http://townhall.com/news/entertainment/2012/10/26/vast_broadway_costume_collection_on_display_in_fla
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zainmax
Broadway Star Joined: 1/12/17
#11Broadway Museum?
Posted: 5/23/19 at 9:58pm
Hope it's fine bumping an old thread, but I'm so excited!!!
https://www.forbes.com/sites/marchershberg/2019/05/23/broadway-museum-in-the-works/#68fbe7a0734a
sabrelady
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/03
#12Broadway Museum?
Posted: 5/23/19 at 11:14pm
$37.00 a ticket? Nope there are all the collections at the NYPL (Billy Rose Jerome Robbins etc) admittedly light on the props & costumes but not sure how much is actually still around.
(also the small collection related to Booth at The Players Club)
#13Broadway Museum?
Posted: 5/24/19 at 12:34am
This sounds more like Museum of Ice Cream or Mickey: The True Original as opposed to an actual museum, which all charged similar prices.
A museum makes sense. Talk about the creative process, rehearsals, performers, sets/costume/prop exhibitions, Tony Awards, and culutural impact. Add in a cafe and bar, a mid-size theatre for events, and a small cabaret setting. Oh, and a kick-ass gift shop. There has to be a space in the theatre district for this, right?
"I saw Pavarotti play Rodolfo on stage and with his girth I thought he was about to eat the whole table at the Cafe Momus." - Dollypop
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#14Broadway Museum?
Posted: 5/24/19 at 5:47am
The article makes the same claim to the Ice Cream Museum and goes on to say it's only planned as temp - with the possibility of extention.
Nearly 40 bucks sounds ridiculous to me, too. And tne first line of the article says it best: INSTEAD of going to a show. Not this gal.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
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