Lena Horne Theatre renaming set for November 1

The Nederlander Organization will officially rename the Brooks Atkinson Theatre as the Lena Horne Theatre on Tuesday, November 1. A formal celebration, with performances, remarks, the unveiling of the new marquee, and a block party, will take place that day at 256 West 47th Street.

The Lena Horne Theatre (home to the Tony-nominated musical Six) is the first Broadway venue named for a Black woman. Built in 1926 and originally named the Mansfield Theatre, it was renamed for critic Atkinson in 1960.

I think this is an odd choice for renaming inasmuch as she is not especially associated with Broadway.

Im all for a theater being named for Lena Horne, but I wonder why they decided to ditch Brooks Atkinson, who was himself a contributor to theater community. Would have much rather they renamed the Marquis, for example (and assuming they will rename the Palace when it reopens)

No offense to Atkins, but naming a theater after a critic always felt weird to me anyways.

pethian said: "SouthernCakes said: "No offense to Atkins, but naming a theater after a critic always felt weird to me anyways."

I feel that way about the Walter Kerr.



As for The Lena Horne, and with all due respect and love for her, wouldn't Ethel Waters have been a more appropriate choice? And if you are going to name a theatre after Lena, wouldn't the Nederlander--home of her greatest Broadway success-- have been a better venue?"

Hopefully the Kerr will one day be renamed the Macdonald....or the Audra...

David10086 said: "I think it's rather strange that they are doing this in November instead of waiting a few months, and doing this in February for Black History Month."



OFFS are you serious??. How DARE they try and give black people any attention in MORE than one month a year!!

I recognize the desire to name a theatre after a female person of color. I do not think that Lena Horne was the right person to honor in this way. Her big claim was a show that just as easily could have been performed in a Las Vegas, essentially a one-person concert. I saw the show, and it was a terrific concert, but c'mon. James Earl Jones IS Broadway; Lena Horne is not.

Lena Horne has a theatre named after her, but not Ethel Merman, not Angela Lansbury, not Katherine Cornell, not Colleen Dewhurst or Julie Harris or any number of other females. I think there is too much political correctness in this decision and it is a mistake.

Jarethan said: "I recognize the desire to name a theatre after a female person of color. I do not think that Lena Horne was the right person to honor in this way. Her big claim was a show that just as easily could have been performed in a Las Vegas, essentially a one-person concert. I saw the show, and it was a terrific concert, but c'mon. James Earl Jones IS Broadway; Lena Horne is not.

Lena Horne has a theatre named after her, but not Ethel Merman, not Angela Lansbury, not Katherine Cornell, not Colleen Dewhurst or Julie Harris or any number of other females. I think there is too much political correctness in this decision and it is a mistake."



This will not end well...

JSquared2 said: "OFFS are you serious??. How DARE they try and give black people any attention in MORE than one month a year!!"



Naming the theater after Horne is not to 'give her attention' but to HONOR her and her legacy. February's Black History Month is not to 'give black people attention' but to HONOR their history and their achievements. By holding this ceremony in February would be the ultimate HONOR to Horne and Black History.



Your dismissing such distinguished honors to Horne and Black history simply as black people 'getting attention' is disgusting and borderline racist.

BroadwayNYC2 said: "Oh come on, that’s a reach. The purpose of the month isn’t to condense all black honors, history and joy into 30 days. There’s no reason to wait until February"

Not a reach - it's the truth.

The purpose of the month is to honor black history and its people. Libraries and book retailers are filled with displays about books and films honoring black people and their place in history. Cable channels honor black actors, directors, etc. "The View" celebrates the month by honoring a black person in history each day of February. The list is endless. No 'condensing' - honoring.

And it's not 30 days. It's 28 or 29.

What do you see as the purpose of black history month ?

David10086 said: "

What do you see as the purpose of black history month ?"

Well certainly not to prevent recognizing and honoring Black people 11 months out the year? Yikes.

Having a month set aside to give some focus back to a minority group that historically has been oppressed and/or overlooked, whether it be Black history or gay pride or whatever else, does not mean all events related to said group should be contained to that one month. That’s ludicrous. Do you hold back all your gratitude until Thanksgiving?

Updated On: 10/23/22 at 12:31 PM

“What do you see as the purpose of black history month ?”

What you’re NOT going to do is explain what black history month is to a black person. Your argument is beyond insulting, disgusting and it’s recommended you sit this one out, because god knows you think you’re making a point and for that I’m sorry for you.