Lena Horne Theatre renaming set for November 1

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 10/19/22 at 9:03am

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.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 10/19/22 at 9:23am

I’m here for this! Hoping for a pretty marquee! 

[goodlead2]

Posted: 10/19/22 at 12:12pm

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

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 10/19/22 at 10:23pm

goodlead2 said: "I think this is an odd choice for renaming inasmuch as she is not especially associated with Broadway."

She was the first black actress to be nominated for a Tony Award and she had a legendary hit Broadway show: Lena The Lady and Her Music.

Plus she’s friggin’ LENA HORNE!!!!

’Nuff said. 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 10/19/22 at 11:12pm

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)

[JanMaxwellsBag]

Posted: 10/20/22 at 6:24am

PipingHotPiccolo said: "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)"

I’m kind of assuming it was a toss up between the Brooks and the Lunt-Fontanne. The Marquis and Minskoff have weird facades (as does the Gershwin, though I don’t think that was even considered). The Neil Simon and Richard Rodgers we’re renamed within the last 40-50 years, so I think those were out too. And they certainly weren’t going to rename their namesake Nederlander Theatre, which would actually be the best fit since that’s where Horne’s revue played. 

This is all just extrapolation on my part, however. 

Edited to add: I also think the Palace will stay the Palace when it reopens, at least for a little while. 

Updated On: 10/20/22 at 06:24 AM

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 10/20/22 at 7:30am

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

[pethian]

Posted: 10/20/22 at 12:48pm

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?

[bdn223]

Posted: 10/20/22 at 12:56pm

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]

Posted: 10/21/22 at 4:36pm

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. 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 10/21/22 at 5:01pm

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!!

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 10/21/22 at 5:18pm

JanMaxwellsBag said: "

Edited to add: I also think the Palace will stay the Palace when it reopens, at least for a little while."

If the goal is to find ways to recognize more and more people from all walks of life, then renaming the Palace or the Broadway or the Majestic makes hella lot more sense than ditching Brooks Atkinson or anyone who was apparently worthy of honoring at some point. And yeah, renaming the Nederlander woulda made alot more sense. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 10/21/22 at 5:18pm

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.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 10/21/22 at 5:22pm

The way yall overthink renaming theatres will never not amaze me. It’s about their contributions to the industry (which the industry is greater than actors, critics are part of the industry and their impact can also be felt as the years go on), not necessarily their tie to that particular stage. 


and to whoever above me is complaining about “political correctness” (the sheer mention of that phrase erases your argument), sit this one out. All edge with no point. 
 

 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 10/21/22 at 5:28pm

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...

 

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 10/21/22 at 5:54pm

I get where people are coming from on this. It could be seen as a random choice, but I think it is deserved.

I could've seen an Ethel Waters Theatre, Diahann Caroll Theatre, Leslie Uggams Theatre, Mary Alice Theatre, or Cicely Tyson Theatre. 

But the Lena Horne Theatre sounds beautiful. 

[David10086]

Posted: 10/22/22 at 1:07pm

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]

Posted: 10/22/22 at 2:24pm

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 

[David10086]

Posted: 10/22/22 at 4:22pm

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 ? 

[Emma_Pillsbury]

Posted: 10/22/22 at 4:59pm

I was under the impression that they were re-naming the Nederlander in her honor as that was the theater where she enjoyed her biggest success. 

I wonder what criteria was used to make this selection.

Why her and not someone like say, Ruby Dee.

Updated On: 10/22/22 at 04:59 PM

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 10/22/22 at 7:14pm

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.

[David10086]

Posted: 10/23/22 at 12:11pm

PipingHotPiccolo said: "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."

That’s what you see it as not. 
 

what do you see it as is it’s purpose? That’s my question. 

[Kad]

Posted: 10/23/22 at 12:31pm

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

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 10/23/22 at 12:56pm

David10086 said: "PipingHotPiccolo said: "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."

That’s what you see it as not.


what do you see it as is it’s purpose? That’s my question."

Your question is silly, and in the context of this discussion is strongly implies you think that society should avoid honoring Black people until February 1, and then stop after February 28. That is profoundly insulting and, frankly, incredibly stupid for lack of a better term. 

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 10/23/22 at 8:51pm

“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.