CONFIRMED: Second Stage buys Helen Hayes Theatre; venue to be renamed — Page 2

I'd rather see 3 new American plays housed at the Papa John's Theatre every year than Rock of Ages run for 5 years at the Helen Hayes.

Disclaimer: I actually do really like Rock of Ages. But you understand my point.

Updated On: 1/12/15 at 09:11 AM

"I'd rather see 3 new American plays housed at the Papa John's Theatre every year than Rock of Ages run for 5 years at the Helen Hayes."

I'd rather see Mary, Mary run for 3+ years at the old Helen Hayes (soon to be the first old Helen Hayes) than any 3 of the Second Stage's typical exhibits housed at whatever they're going to call their theatre.

In fact I would rather see UTBU, which ran all of one week at the old Helen Hayes (soon to be the first old Helen Hayes) than anything that Second Stage has ever put on, or likely ever will in whatever name they're going to call their theatre.

Updated On: 1/12/15 at 09:35 AM

"'Today's theatre world: no remembrance of the past.'

If this little fit of mistaken nostalgia is intended to suggest that it was not always thus, then that is pure nonsense. Where are the theatres that were named for the stars of the prior century? What theatres were torn down by the generation that constructed the original Helen Hayes, Morosco et al. in the first quarter of the 20th Century? It seems to me this is just another case of someone's ego-centric world viewed based on the mistaken premise that only that which they grew up around is worthy of adulation. The truth, I suspect, is that you don't know a damn thing about the theatre of a century before your time, and all you are interested in is preserving what you know."

Exactly, HogansHero. I understand and often myself experience nostalgia about the golden era of 20th century Broadway. But I do recognize it as that, and question if Helen Hayes' artistic achievements as an actor, and member of the Broadway theater community surpass those of others - since or before her - who have not been memorialized with the naming of a Broadway theater.

AfterEight-what you write is a farrago of egocentrism. As I suspected in my previous post, you don't give a damn about the past or the present or the future: just what is yours. That's your prerogative, but it is not a post about the theatre, which is a living breathing institution, not some museum piece.

Bwaydide92-I agree with your general point. I'd note however that 2ST was not the "starting point" for many of the examples you list, but a place that they were restaged.

"I understand and often myself experience nostalgia about the golden era of 20th century Broadway."

What you don't understand is it's not about "nostalgia." --- yours, mine, or anyone else's. It's about respect, and recognition.

" question if Helen Hayes' artistic achievements as an actor, and member of the Broadway theater community surpass those of others - since or before her - who have not been memorialized with the naming of a Broadway theater.'

Here's a bit of advice. Perhaps you should know something before you "question" anything.

Your remarks here are a case in point.

What if it's renamed Axe Body Spray Presents: The Helen Hayes Theatre? Would that be a sufficient compromise?

Also, was there controversy when the American Airlines Theatre was christened? Or did the world end at that moment and we're all in hell now?

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Updated On: 1/12/15 at 10:57 AM

Also, was there controversy when the American Airlines Theatre was christened? Or did the world end at that moment and we're all in hell now?

Well there was certainly outrage when Henry Miller's Theatre was renamed the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, and as far as I know, Sondheim isn't even a corporate entity.

But in line with Kad's question, was there controversy when it was renamed the Cadillac Winter Garden Theatre?

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It's still an iconic name, just as the Palace Theatre is an iconic name.

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The Shubert Organization should rename the Golden Theater ~ The Helen Hayes Theater

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"was there controversy when it was renamed the Cadillac Winter Garden ."

Consternation, to be sure.

And it's not even confirmed IF the name will change, just that the option TO rename it exists.

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Well, I'm pretty sure the only one doing any wailing/gnashing about Fun Home winning a Tony is you. So maybe take your own advice and move on?

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I'm Ok seeing the Helen Hayes renamed after a corporate sponsor if it is something cool like "Empire Bail Bonds Theatre". The best of course would be "The Just Down The Street From Guy's American Kitchen & Bar Theater". They could install a huge neon sign in the lobby as you enter "Welcome to Theatretown".

Of course if it HAS to be named after a legendary theater icon, how about "Tyler Perry's The Tyler Perry Theatre".