Mark Hellinger Theatre- Page 3

[Mr Roxy]

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

[MaronaDavies]

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

[thtrbear]

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...)

[kyleorlando]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 9:26pm

Isn't the Mark Hellinger where "A Chorus Line" was filmed?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 9:29pm

The interior was used in the film

[songanddanceman2]

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)

[junkyard]

Posted: 6/28/07 at 9:53am

Worked 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.....

[Wicked63]

Posted: 6/28/07 at 11:41am

Get 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

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 6/28/07 at 2:01pm

The ceiling of the lobby. (Sorry for the size)

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 6/28/07 at 2:02pm

The view from House Right.

Updated On: 6/28/07 at 02:02 PM

[Wicked63]

Posted: 6/28/07 at 2:05pm

Thanks 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?

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 6/28/07 at 2:06pm

The porscenium.

[Wicked63]

Posted: 6/28/07 at 2:07pm

Thanks 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?

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 6/28/07 at 2:08pm

House Right from front row Center.

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 6/28/07 at 2:09pm

The balcony.

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 6/28/07 at 2:10pm

The seats.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/28/07 at 2:11pm

One 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.

[Wicked63]

Posted: 6/28/07 at 2:11pm

Thanks. 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!

[Wicked63]

Posted: 6/29/07 at 4:14am

So 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.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 6/29/07 at 9:29am

Its 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.

[Wicked63]

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

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 6/29/07 at 10:18am

haha i think most people who know theatres would agree that the broadway ones aren't the best , the palace is a nice one though

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/29/07 at 10:24am

One of the reasons the Hellinger is so nice is that the interior is like some of the beautiful London theaters.

[Wicked63]

Posted: 6/29/07 at 10:33am

The 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.

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 6/29/07 at 12:29pm

The 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.