Let's Name A Theater for Ethel Merman- Page 3

[billygoatgirl300]

Posted: 1/1/06 at 3:39pm

Yes she should have a theater named after her. How about giving Sondheim a theater also?

[Chanticleer148]

Posted: 1/1/06 at 4:08pm

Legends have played at nearly every house! Many of the houses have changed names, while some have stayed the same. The very idea of changing the name of the theater is an awesome undertaking, and therefore, would change things slightly. Merman played at the Neil Simon when it was the Alvin.

It all becomes the living, breathing history of Broadway, and that's exactly the point. Ethel Merman derserves this rich and high honor!
Let's Name A Theater For Ethel Merman

[Sant]

Posted: 1/1/06 at 5:43pm

"Legends have played at nearly every house!"

I am perfectly aware of that, thank you.
And I'm totally aware of that some of the legendary houses have changed their names - The Martin Beck Theatre for one.

"It all becomes the living, breathing history of Broadway, and that's exactly the point."

Yet why can't some things remain the way they are? Imperial Theatre is one of the most legendary houses on Broadway and I think IT deserves the honor to keep its name the way it is.

Why should each and every house be named after a person? Who does deserve a theatre be named after him/her? Where do you draw the line? I emphasize that I am NOT saying that Ethel M. doesn't deserve a theatre named after her. But why not Jule Styne? Why not Cole Porter? Why not Stephen Sondheim? And please bear in mind that Ethel WAS "offered" (sorry couldn't think of a better word!) a theatre to be named after her, but she refused.

"Ethel Merman derserves this rich and high honor!"
Yes, you've made your point already SOOOOO many times on this thread already! Everyone agrees. Relax!!

I do think that The Broadway Theatre, for one, could have a more clever name... and why not name it for example after Ethel Merman?
Updated On: 1/1/06 at 05:43 PM

[Chanticleer148]

Posted: 1/1/06 at 9:34pm

I agree about the Broadway Theater.

I have no problem with the Imperial being renamed.

You have brought up many other legends, yet you state that I make a strong case for Ethel. My point is that she is more deserving than anyone you have named. Her uniqueness, and distinctive, unmatched career make her the most worth in my eyes.

Others may disagree.

Theaters do change names, and I like the idea of tradition. The Martin Beck has had several names as you point out.
Let's Name A Theater For Ethel Merman

[Chanticleer148]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 5:26pm

What theater was Ethel Merman "offered?" And when?
Let's Name A Theater For Ethel Merman

Posted: 1/3/06 at 2:33am

According to the Internet Broadway Database, her 100th birthday anniversary is January 16, 2008. That gives us just over two years to make something happen by that landmark date. By the way, the auditorium at WC Bryant High School in Astoria NY, where she grew up, is already named the Ethel Merman Theater. There's a plaque on the wall near the entrance.


biographical information for Ethel Merman

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 1/3/06 at 3:48am

In Geoffrey Marks' new book on EM, he reveals that she was actually born on January 16, 1906 and routinely shaved two or three years off her age. That would mean her 100th birthday is just a few days away.

[freeadmission]

Posted: 1/3/06 at 8:47am

I'm all for renaming the Broadway Theatre, but I kind of like the Imperial Theatre. It sounds so stately. LOL

And the Merm really does deserve it. Sondheim doesn't yet, simply because he's not dead (thank God). :-P

[Chanticleer148]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 1:21am

I believe that her 100th Birthday is about to happen as well. Let's get that petition going to name a theater. Somebody help!!
Let's Name A Theater For Ethel Merman

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 1:34am

I'm all for it.

I think we should call it Mermaid.

Posted: 1/9/06 at 12:37am

Hushpuppy, what does Geoffrey Mark's book actually say about her being born in 1906? Who's his source? Others place it later.

The New York Times says it's either Jan. 16, 1908, 1909, or 1912 -- the year changed as she got older.
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/0116.html

The Encyclopaedia Britannica says it was Jan. 16, 1909,
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9052155
as does Answers.com.
http://www.answers.com/topic/ethel-merman

Allmusic.com, IMDB.com and IBDB.com all say Jan. 16, 1908, as does the most specific and detailed online reference I googled, 'Ethel Merman: A Brief Biography,' by John Kenrick, off the musicals101.com site, which said she 'was born in the third floor bedroom of her grandmother's house at 359 4th Avenue in Astoria, Queens.'
http://www.musicals101.com/mermbio.htm

So is this lady gonna be 94, 97, 98 or 100 next week? Given the mild fuss over Jule Styne's recent 100th and Mozart's approaching 250th, it would be a shame if her 100th passed with no theater named for her AND no notice paid to her.

And assuming it's not 1906 for a moment, I'd suggest her approaching 100th would be an excellent hook to hang this theater-naming effort on.

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 2:28pm

I'm afraid I am in San Francisco this week and the book is home in NY so, until I get back, I can't tell you who his source is for the 1906 birthdate. I do remember thinking as I was reading that he doesn't provide sources for many of his more interesting 'revelations' so I wouldn't be surprised if this source for this 'fact' went unnamed as well.

[BwayLeadman]

Posted: 1/18/06 at 7:20pm

Actually Bryant High School's theater is: The Ethel Merman Theatre