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

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 9:11am

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

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 9:13am

Hear, hear, TalkinLoud.

[After Eight]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 9:35am

"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

[Bwaydide92]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 10:24am

You make it sound as if Second Stage on;y produces crap shows that should never see the light of day. 2ST has been the starting point for many amazing plays and musicals, many of which have been handed many awards. Next to Normal (Pulitzer Prize and Tony Awards) was produced there. Eurydice, a highly acclaimed feminist retelling of the story. Boys' Life, Spelling Bee, How I Learned to Drive, The Last Five Years, This is Our Youth, and a whole lot more. If you don't like anything that 2ST produces, maybe you should just stop going to the theatre.

[round2]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 10:35am

"'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.

[After Eight]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 10:36am

^

I preferred UTBU to any of the titles you mentioned, or anything else I've ever seen at Second Stage.

And I don't need you to tell me why I should stop going to the theatre --- and certainly not for the ridiculous reason you posit.

I'll stop going when I no longer feel like it, or I no longer can.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 10:37am

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.

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 10:46am

Shouldn't we wait to see what sort of programming the Harvey Weinstein Theatre puts on before dismissing it outright?

[After Eight]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 10:48am

"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.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 10:52am

Grandmama is correct. That theater should commemorate the star of "Airport," "Herbie Rides Again," and TV's "Snoop Sisters" in perpetuity.

[Kad]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 10:57am

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?

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

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 11:24am

I think people have voiced dissatisfaction, particularly when corporations or car brands become the new names of old theaters. But, you know, most people have the wisdom to know the difference between things they can change and things they can not.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 11:43am

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?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 11:49am

As far as I know, Winter Garden is not the name of a person.

[Kad]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 11:52am

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

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 11:58am

I don't know what "UTBU" means.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 12:18pm

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

[adam.peterson44]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 12:24pm

If i had enough money to buy naming rights to a theater, I would definitely name a Broadway Theater after Oscar Hammerstein II.

[After Eight]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 12:28pm

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

Consternation, to be sure.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 12:30pm

And yet, despite the dreaded consternation, the world continued to spin on its axis. It's the name of a building- save the wailing and gnashing of teeth for something that matters.

[Kad]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 12:40pm

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

[After Eight]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 12:50pm

"save the wailing and gnashing of teeth for something that matters."

Yeah, like song omissions in the Into the Woods movie. Or how many Tony Awards Fun home will win. Or the color of Sally's dress in the last Follies revival.

Yeah, something that matters.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 1:08pm

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?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 4:16pm

How about important subjects like:

1. Does so and so stage door?
2. What goes into a theater next - before the current occupant even opens?
3. Does so & so sign, smile, take pictures etc etc etc?

[FishermanBob]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 4:46pm

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".