Lost Broadway Theatres

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 11:25am

So thanks to people like Smaxie i have become obsessed with the history of the Broadway Theatres and especially the ones that are gone are not used/ converted etc.

I was just wondering if you lovely folks could give me some info about the theatres still standing in NY but are currently out of use or not used for theatrical purposes, any info would be great (History, could the be restored and used again etc)
Thanks

[Smaxie]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 11:35am

This was a very good thread with a lot of information about that subject.

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=984594#3720171

Long story short, I think there are eight theatres that were once used for Broadway shows that are still around but being used for other purposes (or in some cases, no purpose whatsover) - The Mark Hellinger, Hudson, Victory, Times Square, Liberty, Hammerstein's/Ed Sullivan Theatre, the Eltinge/Empire and Billy Rose's Diamond Horsehoe/The Century.

EDIT: Whoops! Forgot about the Edison. So, nine former theatres.

Updated On: 2/28/09 at 11:35 AM

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 11:40am

thanks Smaxie, helpful as per usual x

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 11:58am

Smaxie, where can I get the full story on the Liberty theatre? Like others I find it outrageously fascinating.

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 12:12pm

And how did these ppl get in?

http://www.silverscreens.com/thsa.php

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 12:17pm

One rare occasion, tour groups get the chance to venture through..

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 7:26pm

Smaxie, loved the thread you recommended and your contribution.

[Actor 7]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 10:30pm

Is the rooftop theatre above The New Amsterdam slated to be one of the "restored theaters"? Where is the Billy Rose/Diamond Horseshoe located? What theatre did IN THE HEIGHTS play its' off Broadway run? Location?

[Smaxie]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 10:34pm

The rooftop theatre at the New Amsterdam now houses the offices for Disney Theatrical.

Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe was in the basement of the Paramount Hotel on West 46th Street,

In the Heights played at 37 Arts on West 37th Street.

[boyfromoz2]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 11:03pm

So just to recap, what are the nine remaining theatres currently being used for (if anything at all):
Mark Hellinger - Times Square Church
Hudson - ??
Victory - now the New Victory
Times Square - ??
Liberty - sits behind a door near Applebees
Ed Sullivan - Dave Letterman
Empire - AMC movie theatres
Century - ??
Edison - ??

How about the DeMille?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 9:59am

The De Mille will be gone eventually

The front is now a tourist oriented store & the back is just sitting there slowly rotting away.

[Tom's Cat]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 12:29pm

What/where is the DeMille? I don't see it listed on IBDB's theatre listing, nor is it included in Lost Broadway Theatres.

edit - nevermind. I found it.

Updated On: 3/1/09 at 12:29 PM

[Smaxie]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 12:49pm

While I think it had a brief career as a vaudeville house, the Mayfair/DeMille/Embassy was not ever a legit theatre. It really doesn't count as a lost Broadway theatre.

Regarding those other theatres, the Hudson is used for banquets, weddings and other events as a part of the Millenium Broadway hotel. The Edison Theatre is now the Edison Ballroom and is also used for events and parties.

Not sure what is happening with the Century, if anything. The Times Square was held up for five years by that ill-fated Marc Ecko store, but now, I guess, New 42 Street will be shopping for a new tenant. A few commercial and non-profit producers/
theatres had their eye on the Times Square over many years, but either the problems with street load-in are too insurmountable, or New 42nd Street just prefers the theatres to be repurposed, instead of being used for their original purpose.

[AEF710]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 5:41pm

I could be very wrong but I think the Hudson is now associated with Disney. I was in it last year for a "secret" Alan Menken Cabaret for touring theaters. Tom Schumacher, who is in charge of Disney Theatricals (or something to that effect, not sure what his title is) talked last year about bringing Hunchback to Broadway. He also mentioned the Hudson being used as a Disney house. I was surprised as it is a little on the small side. It was a really nice theater though, big lobby, nice molding, pretty stage and proscenium. No seats in it as of last April, they had tables and chairs.
Updated On: 3/1/09 at 05:41 PM

[AEF710]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 5:44pm

I could be very wrong but I think the Hudson is now associated with Disney. I was in it last year for a "secret" Alan Menken Cabaret for touring theaters. Tom Schumacher, who is in charge of Disney Theatricals (or something to that effect, not sure what his title is) talked last year about bringing Hunchback to Broadway. He also mentioned the Hudson being used as a Disney house. I was surprised as it is a little on the small side. It was a really nice theater though, big lobby, nice molding, pretty stage and proscenium. No seats in it as of last April, they had tables and chairs.