It's Official: Pajama Game Will not Re-Open; Tour is Planned Instead.- Page 2
It's Official: Pajama Game Will not Re-Open; Tour is Planned Instead.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
re: It's official: Pajama Game will not re-open.#25
Posted: 7/11/06 at 4:38amYeah, the Hellinger reallllllly needs to return as a musical house. It's ironic that the Nederlander Organization sold it in 1989, after the failure of Legs Diamond. The theatre would have been in hot demand for most of the '90s and '00s. IBDB.com lists the Hellinger as having 1505 seats, but I think that's wrong. I remember it having more like 1700 seats.
re: It's official: Pajama Game will not re-open.#26
Posted: 7/11/06 at 6:49amThis is not one a lot of people have thought of. When David Letterman's contract is up to do The Late Show in a few years (2008 or 2009 I think If he does not re-sign), and his replacment does not use the Ed Sullivan Theater, that one would probably come on the market as well. I doubt CBS will use it for any other purpose.if I am not mistaken it was a legit theater at one time was it not?
re: It's official: Pajama Game will not re-open.#27
Posted: 7/11/06 at 7:31amI am glad that it is going on tour, maybe now I'll get to see it. I just saw the movie, it was wonderful!
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
re: It's official: Pajama Game will not re-open.#28
Posted: 7/11/06 at 8:28am
The Ed Sullivan Theatre opened as Hammerstein's Theatre in 1927 (named for Oscar Hammerstein II's father). But it spent a mere four years as a legit theatre, then was a nightclub, and had a brief return as a legit theatre called the Manhattan, before CBS signed a lease for it in 1936. I think, considering CBS has operated it for 70 years, the chances it will return as a legitimate theatre after David Letterman finishes his contract are still slim.
A shame because as these pictures show, the stained glass interior (which has been covered in all of its years as a TV studio) is spectacular.
re: It's official: Pajama Game will not re-open.#29
Posted: 7/11/06 at 8:43amYea I completely believe that they gave the Tony to Pajama Game because they thought it was going to come back. And I WAS happy for it. But now I feel bad, with Sweeney not selling over 60%.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
re: It's official: Pajama Game will not re-open.#30
Posted: 7/11/06 at 5:06pm
The Best Revival Tony is really just a badge of honor. It doesn't help at all at the box office.
As far as Pajama Game vs. Sweeney winning it, I think the scenario that happened is what the NY Times predicted in their pre-Tony Awards story. A lot of people the reporter polled said, "Sweeney is going to win, but I voted for The Pajama Game". I don't think it won because anyone wanted to reward it for its possible Broadway return. The voters just must have had a better time at Pajama Game, and felt they took care of Sweeney by voting for John Doyle and Sarah Travis.
I know everyone here felt Sweeney deserved it because of the innovations of the production... and it's probably true. However, I've seen Sweeney work in large and small productions, proscenium theatre, black box, high concept, no concept. It works, in almost every kind of production. However, I've seen more productions of Pajama Game than I can count that were dead on arrival. Perhaps the greater challenge was faced by the Pajama Game team in bringing THAT show to creative life?
re: It's official: Pajama Game will not re-open.#31
Posted: 7/12/06 at 12:39amCan't wait to hear casting news about the tour..
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
re: It's official: Pajama Game will not re-open.#32
Posted: 7/12/06 at 1:12amYeah, the ED sullivan is beautiful. I can't imagine what CBS would use for it, but I'm sure they'll think of something. But they really need to get the Hellinger back, I looked on ibdb.com and it's beautiful. I wonder how much it would cost to get it back?
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
re: It's official: Pajama Game will not re-open.#33
Posted: 7/12/06 at 3:44am
Oh, I'm sure CBS would let it go for a mere $35-$40 million.
Still, as a single balcony, 1,200 seat musical house, with its marquee right on Broadway, I'd imagine it would be in huge demand as a legit theatre.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
re: It's official: Pajama Game will not re-open.#34
Posted: 7/12/06 at 3:48am
It's not like they don't have that sort of money.
What about the Hellinger - which was my original question. How much would that go for?
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
re: It's official: Pajama Game will not re-open.#35
Posted: 7/12/06 at 3:50amThe church reportedly bought it for $17 million, but it would surely go for more than twice that amount these days.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
re: It's official: Pajama Game will not re-open.#36
Posted: 7/12/06 at 3:55amIt looks like a grand theater. Have you been in it since it's transformation to church? Is everything still intact?
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
re: It's official: Pajama Game will not re-open.#37
Posted: 7/12/06 at 3:59amI was in it in the 80s for Sugar Babies and Grind. Around the time of Grind, it was looking a little worn, with some peeling and cracking paint throughout the auditorium, but still spectacular. I've snuck into the church a few times over the years, just to revisit the theatre, and they are keeping it in excellent condition. It looks better now than when the Nederlanders owned it. It could also be converted into a legit house again with no trouble at all.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
re: It's official: Pajama Game will not re-open.#38
Posted: 7/12/06 at 4:20am
I think it's in a great location. I wonder if the Nederlanders have attempted to persuade the owner's into selling it at all?
Also, when looking for pictures of it, I came across this site. Not sure if anyone else is interested. I found it to be an informative read. I really like all the different theaters.
Smaxie, you seem to know you're stuff. Can you tell me anything about these two theaters. The New Victory apparently (according to the site) is now only used for children's theater? How big is the theater? Is it not considered "Broadway" because of it's size? The second theater is "The Times Square Theater" - what is it used for today? Is not capable of being a legitmate theater anymore?
Theaters
Updated On: 7/12/06 at 04:20 AM
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
re: It's official: Pajama Game will not re-open.#39
Posted: 7/12/06 at 8:25am
The New Victory is indeed used just for children's theatre. But it was beautifully restored. It's a relatively intimate two balcony house. It originally had about 1100 seats, which I think was reduced for its new use, but it could be a legit theatre without much fuss. But it is doing well in its present use.
The Times Square was one of the few theatres on 42nd Street that was largely intact, except for its stage, which had a retail store built onto it. Livent, after building the Ford Center, was interested in renovating the Times Square, but then they went belly up. Instead, it is currently being converted into a store for Mark Ecko clothing. It's disappointing, as the Times Square has a beautiful graceful facade. It would have been nice to see it return to legitimacy, and it's a single balcony house, which is also desirable.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
re: It's official: Pajama Game will not re-open.#40
Posted: 7/12/06 at 8:36am
Oh, and regarding the New Victory, Broadway theatres are designated as "Broadway" if they have 500+ seats, and are in the Broadway vicinity (with the Vivian Beaumont the one exception), but also depending upon the contracts with the unions used in the theatre.
I just read on the New Victory's website that seating in the house was reduced to 499. So, that's another issue.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
re: It's official: Pajama Game will not re-open.#41
Posted: 7/12/06 at 3:37pm
Oh okay, I thought it must have something to do with the seats. It looks like a great little theater. I've never noticed it all the times I've passed through 42nd street. I'll have to look for it next time.
Oh, also, on that website, I read that CBS bought another Broadway house - I can't remember which one it was - but they eventually gave it up and it's not a legitmate house again. So maybe there is a chance for the Ed Sullivan to return to a Broadway style house? Maybe if CBS feels like gettin on the Broadway cash.
re: It's official: Pajama Game will not re-open.#42
Posted: 7/12/06 at 6:30pm
CBS once owned Studio 54 (once called Studio 52 among other names). They sold it in 1976, when it became the Infamous disco Studio 54.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
re: It's official: Pajama Game will not re-open.#43
Posted: 7/13/06 at 2:00amYeah! That's the one. It's in that link I gave above. Here's a question, it may be dumb, but whatever: When it was a disco was Studio 54 laid out like a theater? Or did they build all the stage, dressing rooms, balcony, after it was a club?
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