Theatres that you could see getting a name change? — Page 2

The idea of re-naming a theatre for Ethel Merman has been tossed around here for years. I would suggest the Imperial because it is the venue for ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, CALL ME MADAM, and GYPSY( which transferred there from the Broadway).

As for naming a theatre for Hammerstein to honor generations of the name, there already was a Hammerstein Theatre. It is now the Ed Sullivan Theatre, formerly CBS Studio 50 formerly the Hammerstein. David Letterman now broadcasts from that theatre. In the 1950's, both the ED SULLIVAN SHOW and the hour long JACKIE GLEASON SHOW originated from that theatre. The JACKIE GLEASON SHOW was really a variety show and it was wonderful. As an 11 year old I went with my parents to see the live broadcast and it remains in my memory as a highlight of my Broadway encounters. First, it had a terrific pit orchestra conducted by Ray Bloch. The show always opened with the June Taylor Dances doing precision dancing in using overhead camera shots ala Busby Berkely. Then there was a HONEYMOONERS skit, a POOR SOUL skit, a popular singer Kay Starr singing her hit "Swampfire", and finishing up with a REGGIE VAN GLEASON skit. Gleason really hit the big time with this show. The half hour weekly HONEYMOONERS came later, in the mid 1950's, filmed for broadcast at the George Abbott Theatre, aka the Adelphi Theatre and the 54th Street Theatre. It was demolished in the late 1960's.

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Best 12 Bars: I see you are in a good mood on this Labor Day. I guess you know that the Sam S. Shubert Theatre ( its full name) will never change because it is considered the flagship theatre of the Shubert Theatre chain, named after one of the founding Shubert brothers who happened to be killed in a railroad accident at a young age. I have seen some 12 different shows there over the years, the most recent being the Mendes production of GYPSY which I really did not care for. My favorites include THE ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT, THE SMELL OF THE CROWD; A CHORUS LINE; and CRAZY FOR YOU.

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When/if Phantom closes, they could rename it the Webber Theatre. What about the Mary Martin Theatre?

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"LOL How about getting rid of the Jacobs and Schoenfeld names.. ?"

I'd vote no. Without the money men, there is no theater. Both men lived and breathed theater, and deserve the honor. Schoenfeld died only recently, and should keep that nod to his dedication. It was his life. I am one of those who isn't fond of changing theater names, but I'll buy dinner for anyone who can tell me why that theater was named the Plymouth in the first place.

"Someone needs to explain to me why people are so incensed about the change from Henry Miller's Theatre to the Stephen Sondheim Theatre."

Because some people just like to be upset about something, doesn't matter what.

Some people just like being a contrarian. Family Guy nailed that attitude with an episode this past season where Lois points this out to Brian; he hates the movies Slumdog Millionaire and Titanic, but is quick to defend the movie Cocktail.

"Actually, The Majestic should be The Andrew Lloyd Webber. Between CATS and PHANTOM, he not only put an amazing amount of asses in those seats, he has employed hundreds the world over. I'll go out on a limb and assume the Shuberts will honor him when PHANTOM turns twenty five."

I'm not so sure about this. Something tells me people might be hesitant about renaming a Broadway theater after a British import. Many people stress the musical as an American art form, and this would obviously contradict that.

(NOTE: This post should not be read as my opinion on this cultural awareness.)

FYI, Cats played the Winter Garden, not the Winter Garden.

Isn't the Hammerstein Ballroom named after Oscar Hammerstein?

Is it too soon for The Julie Taymor Theare?

Part of me loves when theaters are named to honor great artists of the stage, but another part of me loves the names that recall an era long past. Palace, New Amsterdam, Majestic, Winter Garden, Ambassador, Broadway, Music Box, Imperial....I would hate to lose those iconic names. To me, the Schoenfeld will always be the Plymouth and the August Wilson will always be the Virginia. (and yes, I know that the Virginia was named after a person). But change is good, I suppose in the long run.

I want to see the corporate named theaters go away. And please give Mr. Hammerstein and Tennessee Williams theaters, and how about Jerome Kern while we're at it? (Cole Porter should have one, too, I think.) Also, I vote for Arthur Miller, too.