Funny Girl 2022 — What Theatre?- Page 2

[Shalfoard]

Posted: 9/10/21 at 3:59pm

Don't have any pictures of the Wilson interior prior to the 1995 renovation.  But here's a NYT article on the renovations that will give you some idea of what shape it was in.  industrial fluorescent light fixtures, instead of chandeliers.  The walls were all white, later painted all black for CARRIE.  Calling it plain would be an understatement. Note only the exterior is landmarked.

https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/22/realestate/commercial-propertyvirginia-theater-a-broadway-showplace-returns.html

Updated On: 9/10/21 at 03:59 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/10/21 at 4:45pm

Can you copy the pictures over?

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 9/10/21 at 5:11pm

RippedMan said: "I guess I'm in the minority. I LOVE the Wilson. It has an interesting layout - like the Majestic, that I enjoy. The interior is interesting and doesn't have those annoying side boxes, so pretty much every view is great. I love the outside and the marquee.

I think it would suit Funny Girl well. I just hope they scraped the London production and come at this with fresh eyes."

I’m with you!! I adore the Wilson :) 

[Smaxie]

Posted: 9/10/21 at 5:39pm

Here is what the August Wilson looked like when it originally opened, including the gobelin tapestries that adorned the sides of the house, inspiring an opening night critic to remark, "the goblelins will get you if you don't watch out." The mid '90s renovation brought it back somewhat to its original style. The way it looked pre-renovation was absolutely unspeakable, especially the post-Carrie period from 1988-1995. 

Updated On: 9/10/21 at 05:39 PM

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 9/10/21 at 9:05pm

Love the ceilings! And it’s just a perfect size theater.

[saxpower]

Posted: 9/11/21 at 2:49pm

I've only been there once, to see City of Angels, which was pre-renovation/restoration.  To say it was plain would be an understatement.    After the Guild left, it became a radio studio. It was later bought y the American National Theatre Company and became known as the "ANTA."  ANTA did a renovation which one book describes as leaving the theatre as a "severely functional space devoid of decoration."  It did have at least two hits;  The Owl and the Pussycat and A Man for All Seasons.   Jujamcyn eventually bought it, named it the "Virginia"  after a member of Jujamcyn's Board. Jujamcyn did the current renovations in the early 2000's, then later renamed it after August Wilson.

Obviously, City of Angels was a while ago, but I do remember being underwhelmed with the venue (loved the show).   First, no one told us we had to go upstairs to get to orchestra seats- leaving a group of patrons (including myself) standing in the lobby facing a curtained area we assumed was the orchestra, figuring there as a delay in seating for some reason.    To my collection, the interior was off/white cream.   No visible detail work (scrolls, cherubs, etc).   The arches on the sides of the orchestra were still visible.   I tend to remember a visible metal ladder sticking out of the ceiling near one of them.  The curtain (I assume not installed specifically for the show) was dark blue with two white horizontal stripes across the bottom (I have no idea why I remember that details so specifically).  It did not appear to be made of the type of materials "house curtains" tend to be.  My thought was the same as an earlier poster- is this a Broadway Theatre or a High School Auditorium.

The picture of the current interior on Jujamcyn's website is impressive: https://www.jujamcyn.com/theatres/august-wilson/

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 9/11/21 at 4:05pm

I love the August Wilson and how huge the lobbies are. The outside of it is also really visually appealing. It's a better choice than the Broadway. 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 9/11/21 at 11:28pm