CONFIRMED: Second Stage buys Helen Hayes Theatre; venue to be renamed- Page 3

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 4:49pm

Bob

In anticipation of your snarky remarks, I quote from Idina M

LET IT GO

Updated On: 1/12/15 at 04:49 PM

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 4:53pm

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

No, but it now had a corporate sponsor attached to its name, which is the very thing people on this thread were preemptively complaining about.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 5:02pm

If a corporation buys naming rights to a theater not named for a famous person, I see no problem with it. An example is the old Oriental Theater in Chicago. A beautifully ornate movie palace built in the 20's. It was sitting there rotting away. Garth D saw the feasibility and historic importance of renovating the theater and it is one thing he did that paid off. In the mid 80's, I was in the theater. A bit shabby and beaten up . You see what it looks like now and it is a miracle. Some of the chairs and other movable objects were sold years ago but they really did a great job on the rest.

When 1 person's name is dropped to give it to another person, it is an awkward situation

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 5:16pm

I'm sure 2ST would have kept the Helen Hayes name if they shaved some money off the price... but if they are the new owners after paying $21M+, seems weird they should then be unable to change the name, or sell naming to help defray the price...

[FishermanBob]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 5:17pm

Bottom line, it's their theater if they have completed the sale and they can do what they want. I think only a very small percentage of the general theatergoing public will truly be bothered by it.





Updated On: 1/12/15 at 05:17 PM

[HogansHero]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 6:43pm

I think most people, including the good folks at 2ST, find the idea of having a corporate name unpleasant. Most of us, and they, would hope that some rich philanthropist will come along and anonymously drop a few mil on their doorstep, But if not, I think anyone with half a brain would rather have 2ST's programming on Broadway than the prospect of more commercial junk. And if we can halt the commercial junk at the marquee, then that seems like a small price to pay.

[RippedMan]

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

Huh? 2nd is the MOST commercial. Have you seen those terrible Zach Braff plays? What has 2nd Stage put into the theatre realm in the past 5 years (besides Next to Normal) that was even worth mentioning? They're a non-profit. So they're going to pay their actors less than a commercial producer would. The actors doing a show at their new theatre could potentially make less than the actors in Rock of Ages.

It's the same as in sports. I hate saying like "the lucas oil stadium" or "citi field." it sounds stupid. But I guess that's life.

[After Eight]

Posted: 1/13/15 at 8:32am

"Have you seen those terrible Zach Braff plays?"

Yes. Unfortunately.

"What has 2nd Stage put into the theatre realm in the past 5 years (besides Next to Normal) that was even worth mentioning?""

Nothing. And certainly nothing worth remembering.

So now we'll have more junk plays on Broadway in a theatre named for some junky corporation.

What progress!

Doubtless unbeknownst to the narcissistic perpetual children here who think that nothing of value -- or worth valuing --- occurred prior to their hearing Into the Woods as nine-year olds in their pajamas, Helen Hayes was called the First Lady of the American theatre. Most mature, thinking people would say that the person who bore that appellation was well worth commemorating. But not these juvenile egomaniacs who still have the mentality of nine-year olds (of the spoiled-brat kind). "Who cares who she was or what she was called?," say the petulant clods who dare call themselves theatre lovers.

A REAL theatre lover cares.

The First Lady of the American Theatre will now have had her name twice removed from Broadway theatres.

That's no way to treat a lady, much less a First Lady.




Updated On: 1/13/15 at 08:32 AM

[tazber]

Posted: 1/13/15 at 8:58am

Actually, the younger theater lovers on here very much appreciate the classics.
As well as the newer works.

Just look at your protege Fantod.



It's you who can't accept anything after 1987 as being worthwhile.

[Up In One]

Posted: 1/13/15 at 9:56am

The worst renamings had to be the Shoenfeld and the Jacobs with the Friedman close behind. Good intentions for the Shubert Org to honor its own and MTC needed the dollars on the third but isn't there some way to incorporate their names into something more recognizable and more widely associated?

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 1/13/15 at 10:49am

What happened to the thread when Avery Fisher's name was removed from Lincoln Center?

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 1/13/15 at 10:53am

A REAL theatre lover cares. 

Darling, a real theatre lover doesn't care what the name of the theatre is. A real theatre lover cares about the production inside the theatre. The name on the building is just the name on the building, and nothing more. Building names change, The Sears Tower becomes Willis Tower, The Marshall Fields building becomes Macy's, and Comiskey Park becomes US Cellular Field, that is life.

Someone as old as you are should be comfortable with change by now, especially changes as superficial as the name of a building.

[Kad]

Posted: 1/13/15 at 11:06am

"What has 2nd Stage put into the theatre realm in the past 5 years (besides Next to Normal) that was even worth mentioning?"

The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Pulitizer finalist)
Bachelorette
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark
Wings
Dogfight
Water By the Spoonful (Pulitzer winner)

[tazber]

Posted: 1/13/15 at 11:11am

I may be the only one who lists this, but:

Little Miss Sunshine

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 1/13/15 at 11:25am

Yes after 35 years of producing shows 2nd Stage has produced nothing worth? Please. It's pretty exciting that someone is going renovate the theater, and bringing it into the new century. More new plays and new voices. Will all of them be perfect? No, but at least unlike certain people on this board (After some people are actually out their making art, and just complaining about.

[Up In One]

Posted: 1/13/15 at 12:08pm

I'm all for corporate renaming if it would subsidize the ticket price. Hell Id be ok with bringing back the old Vaudeville pre-show curtains with advertisements on them if they would stem the ridiculous place ticket prices are heading.

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/13/15 at 12:12pm

"I'm all for corporate renaming if it would subsidize the ticket price."

The two have nothing to do with one another.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/13/15 at 12:12pm

Heading?

They are already here.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 1/13/15 at 7:30pm

"The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Pulitizer finalist)
Bachelorette
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark
Wings
Dogfight
Water By the Spoonful (Pulitzer winner)"

Spoonful wasn't created by them, but brought in from Hartford. Dogfight was a dud. Wings was insanely boring. "By the Way, Meet Vera Stark" was a dud. Bachelorette made a fine movie, so I'll give you that one, and the Entrance of Chad Deity I didn't much care for.

When does all this happen? Like within the year? Maybe American Psycho will be their first Broadway production?

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 1/14/15 at 9:27am

That is your opinion. At least two of the titles on that list had good Broadway potential.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 1/14/15 at 9:30am

I loved VERA STARK and DOGFIGHT.

Did you miss the news that they are no longer attached to PSYCHO? If it makes it to Broadway, it won't be because of 2nd Stage.

[Kad]

Posted: 1/14/15 at 9:48am

"Spoonful wasn't created by them, but brought in from Hartford. Dogfight was a dud. Wings was insanely boring. "By the Way, Meet Vera Stark" was a dud. Bachelorette made a fine movie, so I'll give you that one, and the Entrance of Chad Deity I didn't much care for."

A "dud" according to whom?

[RippedMan]

Posted: 1/14/15 at 12:19pm

Me? I'm sorry, I didn't think I need to express that it was my opinion. Also, review wise, it didn't get that many sparkling reviews.

[DAME]

Posted: 1/14/15 at 12:45pm

As long as your not trying to express or fool anyone into thinking it is MY opinion. You know.. with your little deceitful avatar.

Updated On: 1/14/15 at 12:45 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 1/14/15 at 1:21pm

Ha! Honestly I think they changed it or something. I didn't change it.