The Mark Hellinger Theater

#1

The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/26/06 at 9:29pm

I decided to go inside the Times Square Church when I was in the city over the weekend, because I realized that it was converted from the old Mark Hellinger Theater. When I went inside I was amazed to discover that the stunning interior of the theater is beautifully restored to its former grandeur. I am so glad that this historic gem has been maintained and that the church decided to keep the interior intact.

I was just wondering why the Nederlanders sold this beautiful house? Today it would be one of the bigger theaters on Broadway and very much in demand with so many shows fighting for houses. It is still very usable as a legitimate theater.

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#2

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/26/06 at 9:42pm

It's true that the theatre would be much in use these days, if it had remained a legit house. In 1989, though, when the theatre was leased and then sold outright to the Times Square Church, the Hellinger was sitting empty weeks and months at a time, in between booking mostly flops. An offer came, and the Nederlander Organization took it. It probably made sense at the time, but one wishes now that had had more prescience to hold on for a few years.

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#3

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/26/06 at 9:44pm

The very first show I worked on was in that theater - the Jackson/Plummer MACBETH. It is an incredibly gorgeous house, and it makes me sad that it's not used for theater anymore.

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#4

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/26/06 at 9:58pm

It started out as Warners Hollywood with the original entrance on Broadway. What is now the entrance was the side entrance

It was designed by Thomas Lamb who did the Rivoli, State & Capitol. They are all gone. The visitors & convention bureau near the Palace is a little gem he designed

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Updated On: 11/26/06 at 09:58 PM

#5

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/26/06 at 10:22pm

i stayed just around the corner from there this past week. if i'd only known!

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#6

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/26/06 at 10:46pm

At what time is it possible for one to go in and see the inside?

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#7

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/26/06 at 10:55pm

With the Church gone, who knows ?

I would love to get in their again with a video camera

Saw pictures of the abandoned Loews Kings in Bklyn in the Times today & got sick to my stomach. That was one of the most georgeous & palatial I was ever in. Now it is a wreck

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#8

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:04pm

I've gone inside that theatre twice...both on Sunday late morning/early afternoon after church got out. There were still a bunch of people in there lurking. I sat in the 6th row center and pretended I was attending opening night at Dear World back in 1969.

#9

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:12pm

I just went in on late afternoon Friday after I got out of Little Dog Laughed. It is a church, so I don't think the can really turn people away. I took some pictures without a flash.

Is there any chance it would ever be brought back to use as a legitimate theater?

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#10

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:30pm

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Updated On: 11/26/06 at 11:30 PM

#11

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:56pm

"I've gone inside that theatre twice...both on Sunday late morning/early afternoon after church got out. There were still a bunch of people in there lurking. I sat in the 6th row center and pretended I was attending opening night at Dear World back in 1969."

WithoutATrace, I LOVE you. That is amazing.

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#12

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/27/06 at 12:01am

Next time I visit, I'll pretend I'm at opening night at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in 1976!

I love you too, ITF!

#13

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/27/06 at 12:02am

How about "The Utter Glory of Morrisey Hall"? lol

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#14

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/27/06 at 12:06am

With all the shows who are fighting for theaters, why doens't anyone want the Belasco?

#15

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/27/06 at 12:08am

I just added photos of the theater to my fan photos. It is so gorgeous!

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#16

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/27/06 at 12:38am

Imagine Opening Night of My Fair Lady, the greatest musical of all, in that theater. People still wore tuxedos and tiaras to First Nights. (sigh).

#17

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/27/06 at 12:46am

This theatre is perhaps the only reason I would have for stepping foot inside a modernist church.

*Imagines the ghost of Angela's Countess Aurelia dancing across the stage to a Herman tune*

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#18

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/27/06 at 3:41am

>With all the shows who are fighting for theaters, why doens't anyone want the Belasco?<

On All That Chat, Journey's End has been rumored for the Belasco.

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#19

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/27/06 at 6:32am

And let's not forget the great Katharine Hepburn in Coco at the Mark Hellinger.

Updated On: 11/27/06 at 06:32 AM

#20

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/27/06 at 9:47am

Sugar Babies. That huge theatre made Mickey Rooney look positive Lilliputian.

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#21

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/27/06 at 10:06am

How I would have loved to have been able to see the original production of "Rags" at the Mark Hellinger.

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#22

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/27/06 at 10:29am

The reason the Hellinger was refurbished/restored was that the awful film of A Chorus Line was filmed there.

Yes, the Hellinger had a real bad patch of flops in the 80s, but think of the shows that would have looked perfect in there. Sunset Blvd. comes to mind. So does The Drowsy Chaperone.

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#23

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/27/06 at 12:31pm

"And let's not forget the great Katherine Hepburn in Coco at the Mark Hellinger."

That's "Katharine" with an "A."

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#24

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/27/06 at 10:31pm

Drowsey would have been perfect for the Hellinger!

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#25

re: The Mark Hellinger Theater

Posted: 11/27/06 at 10:47pm

Here is a partial list of shows that played here

Legs Diamond
My Fair Lady
Sugar Babies
Utter Glory Of Morrisey Hall
Illya Darling
Dear World
Im Solomon
On A Clear Day
Platinum
Sarava
1600 Pennsylvania Ave
Timbuktu
Ari

I actually saw 8 of these shows

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Updated On: 11/27/06 at 10:47 PM