Mention of the Gershwin highlights the folly/inconceivable-ness of the Shuberts permanently altering the space as was suggested. I'd also note that choosing to shrink the capacity (temporarily, whether for the run or otherwise) is on the producer, not the landlord. The landlord's concern (usually, but painfully not always as evidenced by the violence done to some houses esp east of Broadway as discussed above) is returning it to the original state at the end of the run. The bigger challenge in some cases is selling the idea to the fire marshal.
BroadwayPatriot said: "Smaxie said: "The Tiffany glass tiling at the Hudson Theatre was only discovered when a worker tapped the proscenium and it made a 'clink' sound (indicating glass or metal) instead of 'thud,' like more paint. It had all been covered up with paint and plaster over the years."
The Hudson has a crazy history, it was a Porn theater "Avon on the Hudson" for close to a decade !!"
Reminds me of an article I read when it was reopening as a legit theatre. Apparently it was an "arthouse" cinema (ie, non-mainstream films but not porn) at one point. When it showed an Andy Warhol film, a reviewer noted the film was at the Hudson Theatre, but belonged in the Hudson River. Gotta love the snark.
Do we think that original facade is under there somewhere or no due to the building being built around it? I think they'd do best to change it back as the marquee now is just tacky and hard to "design" for. Although it worked for King Kong.
Can you better explain the Gershwin? They have accordion style walls that fold? I've only been in that theater once, and was in the orchestra so I didn't notice, but that sounds interesting.
Are they changing the marquee at all at the Gershwin? I walked by and the whole wall was under scaffolding.
The original facade looks rather elegant here, with that space for signage up above. I'm sorry I called you undistinguished, Broadway Theatre facade! You fell in with evil companions. It's not your fault.
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.
I saw Sister Act from the rear orchestra and thought I was 8 blocks away. It’s just not a great theatre to see a show unfortunately. At this point I wish a long-running show would move there to open up a more desirable theatre
BroadwayNYC2 said: "I saw Sister Act from the rear orchestra and thought I was 8 blocks away. It’s just not a great theatre to see a show unfortunately. At this point I wish a long-running show would move there to open up a more desirable theatre"
It's funny how the stage can SEEM so far away depending on the theatre layout...technically, the Broadway Theatre's orch only has 3 more rows than the Winter Garden and Shubert, which both have terrific views at the back of the house. No idea how that translates into # of feet away from the stage. The legroom is seriously cramped on the sides.
Pre-pandemic it would have been an ideal house for MUSIC MAN. Now I think it's too big for any show.