Remembering the Original Lyric Theatre Through Pictures

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 3:24am

All that remains of this theatre is its two facades on 42nd and 43rd Streets - the space inside was constructed in the late '90s on the grounds of the Lyric and Apollo Theatres as the Ford Center for the performing arts, later renamed the Hilton and Foxwoods before being rechristened the Lyric. 

The original Lyric however was built in 1903, and served as a legitimate Broadway house until 1934 when it became a movie house.

The two facades as they appeared early in life:

Some interior shots:

Vintage programs:

As a movie theater with its original facade and a new marquee:

And finally, as a movie theatre with it's facade hideously covered up:

Perhaps someone who went to it as a movie house can tell us if any of the original interior was preserved over the years, or if it was as hideously covered up as the front was!

[Fantod]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 6:04am

Beautiful theatre. Thanks again.

It's pretty much known that nothing that opens at the Lyric today will be a hit, but it's also interesting that the old theatre only ever had 3 hit shows, two of which were Ziegfeld produced.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 1:45pm

It's such a "boat" as they say. Even the original theatre had some of its boxes taken out because there were too many.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 1:48pm

As I recall the dome in the house is from the old Lyric theatre (I know the proscenium is from the Apollo). 

Have there been any more developments on that rumored Cirque deal from a few months ago regarding the Lyric?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 2:00pm

I think Grinch was the only show to recoup since it reopened, though I believe 42nd Street came quite close.  Is King Kong not happening?  I thought it would be a good fit.  Too bad Lord of the Rings didn't transfer.  I think it would have done well in that space.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 2:36pm

The 43rd Street Entrance of the Lyric is my favorite on Broadway. Its a shame not many see it.

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 2:40pm

they should just cut the theatre in half

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 3:08pm

I think the respective stages would be a tad on the tiny side. In addition, what do you do about the bathrooms? Theses are a few of the tiny details  re your plan. I am being nice , as you accused me of being nasty to one and all, by saying it is totally unrealistic. It is constructive criticism and is not meant to demean you in any way. If you still think it is great, go to the theater owners & run it by them I am sure they will be enthused by it.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 3:38pm

Cirque Du Soliel is taking over the theatre soon.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 3:43pm

And if phillypinto was just proposing to cut the house in half to reduce the number of seats, and leave the stage house in tact, it still leaves a lot to be desired as a plan. 

To keep it simple we'll assume "half" was being used literally (I'll use the numbers currently in place for On the Town). You'd be reducing the weekly seating capacity to 7,496 and the gross potential to $895,038. You'd now be looking at a theatre with a stage house designed to host large cast musicals with a big physical production. The running costs for On the Town are currently assumed to be around $650,000 a week. Assuming that is correct, if they reach 100% of their gross potential that leaves a profit each week of only $245,038. 

That would still make it a very undesirable house for a large show, as the show would need to run even longer and reach 100%, or more, of the gross potential to have a chance to recoup. And the longer the proposed recoupment schedule the harder it will be to find investors.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 3:50pm

I could be wrong but I think he was talking about literally cutting it in half hence my response to him.

[Cesare2]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 3:59pm

The other half of the new Lyric -- the "New" Apollo -- was reopened as a legit theater in the 1980s.  I remember seeing "Fifth of July" there.  It was a handsome theater with excellent acoustics.  They used the exit doors on 43rd Street as the new entrance.  

 

[Smaxie]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 4:09pm

Yes, the 'New Apollo' housed On Golden Pond, Bent, Fifth of July and then a one-performance fiasco, The Guys in the Truck, which ended its legit return.  Here's a shot of what the 43rd Street front of house looked like.  

Updated On: 6/23/15 at 04:09 PM

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 4:34pm

"Cirque Du Soliel is taking over the theatre soon."

 You also said to look out for a closing announcement for OTT "soon" a few weeks ago. Do you even know what you are talking about?

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 5:59pm

Back on topic...

Does anyone have any more details about what portions of the original Lyric were re-used, other than the preservation of the facades, for the new Lyric? I was always under the impression that the re-used portions of the interiors were mostly the Apollo, with the tribute to the Lyric being the exterior restoration.

[Fantod]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 6:05pm

Here's an interesting video on the theatre:

Spotlight on Broadway: Lyric Theatre from Spotlight on Broadway on Vimeo.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 6/24/15 at 3:13am

Interesting stuff there. So the dome was indeed the Apollo's.

I've never been in the Lyric but it doesn't seem like it would have the feel of a house built in 1903 or 1910.

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 6/24/15 at 11:54am

Honestly, if Cirque du Solei, or magic shows, or other non-musicals/plays take over the Lyric, i would be okay with that. At least the house would be filled