WITW: How A Marriott Destroyed 5 Broadway Theaters

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WITW: How A Marriott Destroyed 5 Broadway Theaters

Posted: 7/30/26 at 2:06pm

On March 22nd 1982, 5 Historic Broadway Theaters (Including the Morosco, Bijou and Helen Hayes), were destroyed to make way for what would become the Marriot Marquis.

Wait In The Wings’ newest documentary “Final Curtain” tells the story of the Save the Theaters as they challenged powerful developers, city officials, Broadway producers, and even the United States government. The group waged a years-long battle to save the theaters that defined the heart of the theater district.

This is the story of the people who refused to let Broadway history disappear.

https://youtu.be/Dn-0S28gzPw

WITW: How A Marriott Destroyed 5 Broadway Theaters

Posted: 7/30/26 at 3:21pm

Thanks for the info on the documentary.

Re: WITW: How A Marriott Destroyed 5 Broadway Theaters

Posted: 7/30/26 at 5:28pm

I find it disgusting that the two people most influential for these theatres destruction, Gerald Schoenfeld and Bernard Jacobs, now have theatres named after them. These are the two theatres that really need to be be renamed again

Re: WITW: How A Marriott Destroyed 5 Broadway Theaters

Posted: 7/30/26 at 5:37pm

The Bijou was not much of a theatre, not missed. The Morosco was home to some of the greatest classic plays in American theatre, a beautiful house with perfect natural acoustics. The Hayes was also a beautiful house of hits, and named for a great actress -- theatre torn down while Hayes was still alive.

Shuberts wanted the money, the money, the money .... Just as the Nederlanders wanted the money, the money, the money and sold the Mark Hellinger Theatre to the church. Sad loss.

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