Mark Hellinger Theatre- Page 3
Mark Hellinger Theatre
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#50
Posted: 6/26/07 at 11:04pm
It started life as the Warner Hollywood - a theater on the Warner Brothers Circuit. It had a lobby on 7 th Avenue which was a different style from the theater itself. The rent for the lobby got to be too much so the original side entrance became the main one
The architect was Thomas Lamb who designed the Capitol which was located right across the streetr & is now Paramount Plaza. This was over 500 seats where the hellinger was about 1300 or so
Lamb also designed the State (Virgin Megastore) & the little theater that is now the visitors & convention bureau
Featured Actor Joined: 3/17/06
re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#51
Posted: 6/26/07 at 11:39pm
jordangirl, I totally understand the aversion to evangelical churches. I was reluctant to go in for the same reason, I was worried someone would ask why I was there and try to convert me. It didn't happen. I went during a service and I walked through the lobby, briefly peeked into the orchestra and walked right out again without anyone saying a word. It was packed and there were people standing in the back, and not one of them said a word.
So having said that, do try to visit the Hellinger. It's such a huge congregation that nobody's going to notice if you're part of the church or not. I've never heard of anyone getting hassled during a quick visit.
It's such a pretty theatre, too. I hope it will be reclaimed for Broadway one of these days.
Updated On: 6/26/07 at 11:39 PM
Leading Actor Joined: 10/13/06
re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#52
Posted: 6/27/07 at 6:49pm
I have been in several times over the years and no one has tried to convert me or said anything to me, tho they are friendly if you ask where is the bathroom or something. I think among other times they tend to be open early sunday evenings and when I have sometimes seen Chicago on a sunday eve I've gone in. The person who wants to avoid these churchgoers is only depriving him/herself of seeing a beautiful theater.
That's a fun idea to sit in there and listen to the great Hellinger shows on yr ipod or sit in the 6th row and think about 1600 Penn.
While it would be awesome if it were a broadway thtr again, you can actually visit it more often than if it were a broadway theater. With Cats and Mamma Mia taking up the Winter Garden across the street, a lot of people will only be in the latter thtr once in 10 years! (And if you didn't want to see Mamma Mia, possibly not since 1982...)
re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#53
Posted: 6/27/07 at 9:26pmIsn't the Mark Hellinger where "A Chorus Line" was filmed?
Current Saying: What do you mean it isn't enough being pretty? Have you seen my headshots?!?
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#54
Posted: 6/27/07 at 9:29pmThe interior was used in the film
re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#55
Posted: 6/27/07 at 9:34pm
Im such a ditz i always thought this theatre was demolished or something in 88 when legs closed.
I would love to see this theatre i may have to make a trip to see it when im next in NY (what does the bloody church need such a big theatre for anyway lol)
re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#56
Posted: 6/28/07 at 9:53amWorked the Hellinger many years ago....loved it, even though the show sank......but there may be some hope yet..........that church is so so rich that maybe in the future they will build a new structute in Times Square and make millions more selling the theatre back to the Nederlanders.......There was a time many years ago when the late Michael Bennett was considering buying this beautiful house.....
re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#57
Posted: 6/28/07 at 11:41amGet that iPod on now!- and jump in those front centre orchestra seats and play those great shows that played this edible wedding cake of a theatre. My god , i can imagine this place full in a few weeks of nothing but people with earphones and bobbing thier heads to a Broadway show nobody else can hear! i'll be listening to Sugar Babies
re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#58
Posted: 6/28/07 at 2:01pm
The ceiling of the lobby. (Sorry for the size)
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re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#59
Posted: 6/28/07 at 2:02pm
The view from House Right.
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re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#60
Posted: 6/28/07 at 2:05pmThanks actor! Now then do any of you need more covincing to get over and see this theatre. I have pics but for some reason they wont post. What show did you have on youriPod actor?
re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#61
Posted: 6/28/07 at 2:06pm
The porscenium.
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re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#62
Posted: 6/28/07 at 2:07pmThanks actor! Now then do any of you need more covincing to get over and see this theatre. I have pics but for some reason they wont post. What show did you have on youriPod actor?
re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#63
Posted: 6/28/07 at 2:08pm
House Right from front row Center.
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re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#64
Posted: 6/28/07 at 2:09pm
The balcony.
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re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#65
Posted: 6/28/07 at 2:10pm
The seats.
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re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#66
Posted: 6/28/07 at 2:11pmOne thing I wish the church would take care of: The last time I was there (and it's been a few years) I noticed that the fresco on the ceiling was chipping. I wish they would get an artist in to touch it up.
re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#67
Posted: 6/28/07 at 2:11pmThanks. They are great but make me so sad that a church can take so much care of such a treasure and the theatre world wont. One day One day!
re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#68
Posted: 6/29/07 at 4:14amSo all you New York 'theatre' lovers are there any other sleeping beauties like The Hellinger i can check out next time im over. Anywhere in Manhattan is great as my apartment is on 57th. London has a lot but totally inaccessable.
re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#69
Posted: 6/29/07 at 9:29amIts such a shame as most of the broadway theatres are so ugly and cold and look like they have no history unlike the west end theatres but this one looks amazing.
re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#70
Posted: 6/29/07 at 9:33am
I cant imagine what abuse your gonna get on here now for calling most Broadway theatres ugly and cold!
but its true!
except The Palace!
Updated On: 6/29/07 at 09:33 AM
re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#71
Posted: 6/29/07 at 10:18amhaha i think most people who know theatres would agree that the broadway ones aren't the best , the palace is a nice one though
re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#72
Posted: 6/29/07 at 10:24amOne of the reasons the Hellinger is so nice is that the interior is like some of the beautiful London theaters.
re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#73
Posted: 6/29/07 at 10:33amThe Hellinger reminds me so much of so many of the fantastic Victorian and Edwardian theatres around the counrty in the UK. One thing i find greatly different on Broadway from London theatres is that i get the impresssion that the managers dont like to put the lighting up too high and this just doesnt create a cosy warm atmosphere like you feel in London.
re: Mark Hellinger Theatre#74
Posted: 6/29/07 at 12:29pmThe Palace was dark as all hell when I saw Legally Blonde, which was my first time at the theater. Is it usually lit better inside? I could hardly make out the interior at all.
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