I'm not certain that New42 has been such a great friend for the nine theatres that were on 42nd Street. Of those nine, three are being used for their original intended purpose. Three were demolished. The other three are suffering various indignities, as noted below.
Disney's deep pockets were responsible for restoring the jewel of the block, the New Amsterdam and they deserve all of the credit for that astonishing rescue. The Selwyn did return as the American Airlines, although the lovely Selwyn building that provided the entrance to the theatre "fell down" in the middle of the night, without anyone around to witness it. The theatre itself, mostly on 43rd Street, was not damaged. Hmmmm. The Apollo, a nice single balcony 1100 seat theatre that had a brief return as a legit house in the 70s and early 80s, was demolished along with the Lyric to make way for the ungainly Ford Center/Hilton/Foxwoods - with a few architectural details preserved, as well as the Lyric's graceful 43rd Street facade. The Candler/Harris, which was another single balcony house that still had many of its original details, was also demolished, without much notice from anyone. The Liberty, after losing its lobby to Ripley's and having its facade almost completely obscured by signs, has only opened as the BBQ restaurant after sitting marooned behind a blank wall for almost 20 years. The Eltinge/Empire, received a cheap, shoddy "restoration" and serves as the lobby for AMC Movie Theatres. The Times Square (which several of the big theatre owners had their eyes on at one time) has been intended for failed retail project after failed project, but remains on hold now for that 4D Broadway Museum Experience thing. The Victory, nicely restored, became a children's theatre.
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.
.jpg?format=auto&width=365)
