Theatre Museum

[HITcards]

Posted: 3/7/09 at 12:59am

So, unfortunately, there is currently none. And while NYPL has some awesome exhibits sometimes, they're always very temporary and while The Theatre Museum is looking for a permanent home, they don't feature enough of modern era (past 100 years) at least in my opinion. And since, some people had mentioned a theatre musuem in another thread about abandoned theatres, I thought it might be fun to make one of our own (online of course). So, what memorabilia would you put into the Broadway Museum. Why not put pictures too?

I'll start with the chandelier from Phantom (tacky, I know)

[snowskittle]

Posted: 3/7/09 at 12:32pm

Before we start talking about what should actually be IN a museum, let's start talking about just getting/building one. Previous threads mentioned various abandoned theaters in the theater district. I think this is a great idea. I'm surprised there isn't a Broadway museum already, since there are museums for nearly everything else all over the country.

Why not a Broadway Musem for Times Square? Why not restore a crumbling but historic theater to house it?

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 3/7/09 at 12:51pm

Such a good idea. This might sound weird...but original casts from hit shows could donate their costumes if they have them. That would be cool.

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 3/7/09 at 1:23pm

Ever noticed the weird, blacked-out doors and windows opposite (well, a little to the left of opposite) the lobby doors of the Minskoff Theatre? Probably not?

Well, there is a lot of empty space back there, and it used to be a Theater Museum! In the late 80s it was definitely there, because I went to it more than once. But I think they had very low attendance, and it closed.

The Museum of the City of New York on the Upper East Side has some amazing Broadway memorabilia, and from time to time they exhibit them. I remember about 10 years ago or so there was a great costume exhibit--Mary Martin's sailor suit, Channing's red dress, that sort of thing. It was just too far from Times Square.

I think that there should definitely be one. But aside from scripts, programs, costumes and set models, it's hard to capture theater in an archival format, and even harder to get tourists to go. Maybe they should partner with Madame Tussaud's and to wax figures of stars? Or display the Sardi's drawings that no longer fit? Something!

[Elke]

Posted: 3/7/09 at 2:43pm

The Museum of the City of New York has an ongoing exhibition on 'A History of Broadway and theater in New York City'.
More info

[snowskittle]

Posted: 3/7/09 at 3:22pm

Hmmm...this is the first I've heard of a theater museum in the 80's Anyone else know more about it? Who ran it? Why it closed? What was there? What happened to the stuff that used to be there?

I think it would be great to find a way to utilize one of the down and out theaters that still exhist, remodeling it into a museum with a multiuse purpose. It would be wonderful if such a space could still contain at least PART of the former stage/audience area so that that occasional performances, concerts (especially fund-raising concerts), lectures, etc, could happen there. How wonderful might it also be to see an occasional production of some of the REALLY old shows...even if just "readings" or fund-raising, audience-paying workshops. Tour and school groups would certainly be good audiences too.

The broadway community has a built-in fund-raising ability. BC/EFA has raised a great deal of money all over the country for many years now. Couldn't their skills be used for various concerts and fund-raising events?

Seems to me there are a lot of oddball museums for practically everything all over the country. I could be wrong, but I believe I've heard that the current stimulus package contains funds for creating some new museums in various places. I'm not sure if that's accurate, or if it is, what these museums are going to be FOR, but it seems to me that there OUGHT to be a Museum for Broadway, since it's one of the things that has made NY, and in fact, the country, pretty famous, and it also has such a rich and interesting history with an endless supply of memorabilia.

There are already existing historic theatrical spaces unused and falling to dust right there in the theater district. There's also a thriving and often underused talent pool right there that's never shied away from benefit performances for good causes. And they have a proven ability to raise funds on an ongoing basis. It would seem there'd be a market for it with all the tour groups coming through the city, and if it could be created to include or retain part of it's original performance space for various concerts, lectures, meetings, performances, champagne receptions (uh, fund-raising ones)even pccasional space rentals (weddings or other private functions) it might be able to become self-sustaining eventually. Perhaps a small research facility could also be included making it also useful as an educational center.

I don't think there would be any lack of items to include (there's got to be mountains of great "old theater stuff"...costumes, parts of sets, props, playbills, posters, photos, etc. tucked away in warehouses and archives now being seen by no one. I don't think there would be much problem finding enough stuff to include. The problem would more likely be what to exclude. Perhaps rotating, changing exhibits would serve to keep the interest fresh.

Admittedly it would take a very talented architect with an appreciation for the past and for theater to be able to design such a space within an already existing complex, retaining much of the old while carving out new multi-use spaces, but such a project ought to appeal to someone.

I'm sure there are probably of good reasons why such a place doesn't already exist, or would be impossible to create, but I guess I just don't get "why not"?

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 3/7/09 at 3:28pm

I remember the one in Times Square very well -- it was in the Marriot Marquis. But it just didn't work out -- too little public interest, unfortunately. Part of the exhibit was filmed interviews with some theatre legends at the time -- Ethel Merman one time, Helen Hayes another and one other, who I can't remember. Sad to say, the theatre public (me included), though vociferous in its devotion, is just not large enough to warrant a space of its own in a Broadway location. I so wish it were different.

[karen24]

Posted: 3/7/09 at 3:34pm

I went to the exhibit in the Museum of the City of New York a couple of years ago, and it was definitely worth the trip! I don't know how often they change the exhibits, but when I was there they had some of the original costumes from "Rent," as well as an interesting display about the development of "Avenue Q," featuring notes/manuscripts from the creators, etc.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 3/7/09 at 4:08pm

This is a great idea! I just hope there is room for it in NYC!

[snowskittle]

Posted: 3/7/09 at 4:32pm

But it looks like there IS space for it...or maybe I should say there ARE spaces...right in the theater district.

A couple of threads back there were discussions about former Broadway theaters, and spaces that used to be theaters. There was a lively discussion about a number of old theaters not being used but still in their old locations. Most of these seemed to be rotting away and disappearing, but some of them were still there, just hidden. These are the spaces I'm talking about. They would involve a lot of restoration and creative architecture but to restore and reuse these treasures in a new way, thereby both preserving them and making use of extremely valuable space is what I have in mind.

It would involve a lot of work and a lot of $$$, but reusing an old theater space to celebrate the history of Broadway and theater would be magical if it could be done in such a way as to be financially sustaining...such as preserving enough of the stage/audience area to have multiple usage...and a lot of volunteer work on the part of the whole Broadway community.

Why not???

Oh, and did the person who was looking for the secret entrance from Applebe's into one of them (I forgot which one) ever find it? If so, please do tell.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 3/7/09 at 6:03pm

Snowskittle, therein lies the rub -- the money. Believe me, I would LOVE to see this happen -- but, in today's economy, I just don't think it will come to pass. Sad, sad, sad but unfortunately, I fear, true.

[Madcap Maisie]

Posted: 3/7/09 at 7:54pm

Skittle, I believe the theater was the Liberty, and I think someone had gotten in and posted pics...I could be wrong though.

[snowskittle]

Posted: 3/8/09 at 12:48pm

Isn't the problem always money? There's a proposal to build a mob museum in Las Vegas by restoreing a large historic building already there (I think in an old post office or courthouse building). I believe they are getting (or asking for) money from the stimulus package and other federal and local funds for it. The stated purpose is to attract tourists to the area.

Hmmmm?

The question isn't whether there's a space for a Broadway Museum WITHIN the Broadway area, since there are plenty of old decaying theaters that would be PERFECT locations. And the question isn't a lack of items to include, since I suspect (hope) there are tons of things worthy of inclusion. And the question isn't entirely financial, since Broaway (unlike the mob museum for instance...) has a wealth of talent working nearby right now, people already used lending their skills to raising funds for for various good causes. Additionally, since these things always take a long time (several years, probably, even if it got started today) between thinking about them, and actually seeing them, by which time, hopefully, there will be a better financial situation in the country. And, if properly designed as a multi-use facility retaining the stage and audience area (or at least part of it), it could regularly be used (rented out with fees) for workshops, concerts, lectures, receptions, opening night parties and private parties etc. How cool would an onstage wedding be, for instance?

I'd say the question is really one of interest. So... my question is....what kind of interest in this type of project is there?