The Carol Channing Theater — Page 3

haterobics said: "Mike Barrett said: "Where was the entitlement? You make these claims then never back them up. Always sucking the fun out of these boards, people like you are why no one posts here anymore."

If he broke down each entitled post, I'm going to guess you wouldn't have found that fun, either... hehe."

I'm not sure what entitlement there is in discussing a theatre named after Carol Channing so yes I'm curious

Mike Barrett said: "I'm not sure what entitlement there is in discussing a theatre named after Carol Channing so yes I'm curious"

Two things. First, it's honestly more in some of the alternative posts rather than any about Channing. Second, if you can't read them and see the entitlement, then there is not much more to say.

Oh and regardless of your feelings (please stop reading what I write, I beg you. I promise I won't care) there are many others here who would disagree. P.S. Your comment "no one posts here anymore" is obviously demonstrably wrong.

dmwnc1959 said: "Maybe a nice memorial plaque on the wall outside the theater commemorating “Hello, Dolly!”and Carol Channing as the first Dolly Levi started there."

I initially thought that was a good idea, but then I thought of other monster hits that played over 2,000 performances in that theatre, e.g., Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews in MFL, Alfred Drake in Oklahoma, Carol Channing in HD, Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick in The Producers (and there may be others...these are the ones I thought of). To broaden your suggestion, wouldn't it be more appropriate to devote a wall to plaques of Shows at the St. James shows that passed the 2,000 milestones, including the names of the starts who opened the shows. Personally, I think every theatre should have something like that, to celebrate the theatre's history. If 2,000 is too arbitrary, make it 1,500. Even with the long runs that are becoming common, there are still not that many shows that have played over 2,000 (or 1,500, for that matter) performances.

SweetLips22 said: "I agree---I love to read writing on a wall."



I have not been at the Gershwin in years; I used to really enjoy reading the names of the inductees into the Theatre Hall of Fame. I also frequent the Ogunquit Playhouse in the summer. I am the last one to be seated because I always find something that I didn't realize on their walls, which are filled with the window cards (?) for the productions that have played there (mostly before the 70s, I would say; somewhere in the 70s or 80s, they went from non-musicals to musicals and never looked back). The stars who have played there in everything from old classics to boulevard comedies is a who's who, not just of Broadway stars, but of movie stars who frequented the stage. I also go to the lower lobby in the Lunt-Fontanne every time I am in the theatre to see the 'history' of the Lunts. All these little history lessons are great.

DAME said: "Jarethan said: "SweetLips22 said: "I agree---I love to read writing on a wall."



I have not been at the Gershwin in years; I used to really enjoy reading the names of the inductees into the Theatre Hall of Fame. I also frequent the Ogunquit Playhouse in the summer. I am the last one to be seated because I always find something that Ididn't realize on their walls, which are filled with the window cards (?) for the productions that have played there (mostly before the 70s, I would say;somewhere in the 70s or 80s, they went from non-musicals to musicals and never looked back). The stars who have played there in everything from old classics to boulevard comedies is a who's who, not just of Broadway stars, but of movie stars who frequented the stage. I also go to the lower lobby in the Lunt-Fontanne every time I am in the theatre to see the 'history' of the Lunts. All these little history lessons are great. "

I lovetheaters that use their wallsand lobby space to honor their history. In Los Angeles when I go to the Ahmanson I love looking at all their previous productions posters and pictures."

Exactly. A special treat at the Cape Playhouse in Dennis, MA., in addition to all the posters (and, again, some really famous people, there is a big picture from 50 - 60 years ago of a bunch of Kennedy's attending the theatre, right alongside of a cabinet which includes Shirley Booth's Oscar, an Emmy (she received three, I think), and at least one additional award that I did not recognize. Looking at those makes me forget that the theatre still doesn't have air-conditioning, and can be pretty hard to endure on the occasional hot summer evening).

I wonder why the Broadway theaters don't do more of that...some will have a poster or two; but when I think of all the great shows that I have seen at, say the old Plymouth (I can never remember its new name -- thank God those theatres are next to each other...at least it doesn't matter if you confuse them, which I have done), I think it is a shame that they don't brag about their history.

Jarethan said: "dmwnc1959 said: "Maybe a nice memorial plaque on the wall outside the theater commemorating “Hello, Dolly!”and Carol Channing as the first Dolly Levi started there."

I initially thought that was a good idea, but then I thought of other monster hits that played over 2,000 performances in that theatre, e.g., Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews in MFL,
"

"Hold my beer," says the Mark Hellinger. :)



I like the idea of naming stages and lobbies more than renaming theaters.Sports arenas do that all the time and honor coaches by naming the courts after them. (Right here where I work, we have the Roy Williams Court at the Dean E. Smith Center.) My local performing arts center also has a stage named for major donors. This would keep the romance of the old theater names but still provide opportunities to honor legends.