Which Broadway Theaters are most in need of Renovation?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 9/9/06 at 3:39am

You know that extra $1.25 that's tacked onto every ticket we buy? That's a theater restoration fee.

The number one aspect of every theater that needs to be fixed is that the stages and seats need to be placed in such that every seat offers a full view of the stage. Obstructed view seating is so silly and I hope someday it will be a thing of yesterday! The Biltmore was completely renovated a couple years ago and now every seat offers a full view of the stage.

Which theaters do you think most need restoration and what problems need to be addressed?

I'll also add that there needs to be more leg room in the mezzanines and especially balconies (Studio 54 anyone?). I personally don't think Studio 54 should even be a theater. It wasn't built for that purpose and does not function well - most apparently with straight plays. I saw STREETCAR (from the Front Mezz) and A TOUCH OF THE POET (from the Rear Mezz) and it was uncomfortable, too far away, tight, and it was very difficult to hear the dialogue on stage. I even sat in the back of the orchestra for ASSASSINS and it was too far back to understand what was being said. Maybe it's just an acoustics issue.

Anyway, what theaters need to be renovated and how?

Updated On: 9/9/06 at 03:39 AM

[Smaxie]

Posted: 9/9/06 at 4:21am

Studio 54 WAS built as a Broadway theatre, and housed legit shows from 1927 to 1933, before first becoming a night club, a TV studio, and then of course, a nightclub again. Roundabout has made gradual changes in there, but it could use a full scale renovation.

I harp on this all the time, but I think the Belasco Theatre is the house that is most in need of restoration. It's a shadow of its former self, with the two missing boxes, peeling plaster, missing Tiffany fixtures, murky murals, painted over mahagony woodwork, different sized seats, inadequate bathrooms, etc. And yet, I still love going there, because the theatre is STILL one of the most unique and atmospheric Broadway houses.

The Ambassador Theatre lost a great bit of interior detail work at some point in its history, leaving it rather plain inside. And the soot stained exterior has needed a steam cleaning for at least three decades.

The Longacre Theatre is in fairly good shape, but perhaps with a full scale renovation like its neighbor, the Walter Kerr, across the street received, would get booked more often.

Updated On: 9/9/06 at 04:21 AM

[BroadwayBulldog]

Posted: 9/9/06 at 8:52am

The Lyceum is high on my list along with the Belasco.

[bwayondabrain]

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

i agree with the Belasco
possibly the Majestic... i personally think it was rather dark and gloomy in there, but maybe its just me, or maybe they want it that way

[Smaxie]

Posted: 9/9/06 at 9:40am

No, the Majestic was painted black in parts for Phantom of the Opera. When Phantom closes (yeah, right), I believe the interior of the Majestic will be restored to its original color scheme.

What's wrong with the Lyceum? Apart from the hideous purple seats, I think that theatre is kept in good shape. And the Shubert Organization just did a splendid restoration on the facade.

[mominator]

Posted: 9/9/06 at 9:52am

Yet another vote for the Belasco. It must have been a glorious house in its prime!

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 9/9/06 at 10:38am

Definitely the Belasco, Lyceum & Studio 54

Redo the Hellinger & bring that back into the fold. If they do, I believe the house will be renamed yet again

[alliez92092]

Posted: 9/9/06 at 10:41am

Golden Theatre

[folkyboy]

Posted: 9/9/06 at 11:02am

the wooden seats that were put down for the balcony in Studio 54 had me cursing the construction guys the whole show

[alba]

Posted: 9/9/06 at 11:26am

I've always been impressed by the job they did renovating Studio 54 and think it has some of the more intimate balcony seating on Broadway...

The Belasco could use a little polishing, it's true--but I'd give anything to see a show there rather than the Marquis. My vote goes for the installation of extra staircases and escalators in that dreadful lobby.

[Ryguy7]

Posted: 9/9/06 at 11:28am

Yeah, I thought the Golden was pretty shabby when I went to go see Q there. Also, I thought the Richard Rogers where Tarzan is was pretty bad. And I think they said in the playbill that it had been recently redone?
Didn't look like it to me.
RY

[focusingonmoviesmatt]

Posted: 9/9/06 at 11:55am

the nederlander is in need of some renovation when rent closes.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 9/9/06 at 12:22pm

I think the Eugene O'Neil needs to get some space in the Mezz. I was so freaking cramped. It wasn't that horrible, but I can't imagine anyone overweight sitting well in those seats.

I think the Golden needs a renovation on its facade/marquee, as do the Shoenfeld and the Jacobs. The Golden also needs its inside spruced up. It's kind of dull.

[SDav 10495]

Posted: 9/9/06 at 1:00pm

the nederlander is in need of some renovation when rent closes.

Really? I've always thought the Nederlander was in fairly good shape, aside from the obvious atmospheric "crapiness" that came when Rent moved in. I've noticed that the lamps under the marquee could be spruced up, but overall I think the house is meant to look like a trendy place that's just a little run down. Whenever Rent moves out and they take down all the dingy scaffolding from the boxes and the theatre is re-painted to look like a typical theatre (I don't look forward to that day...I think the Nederlander's current decor is fun and unique), I'm sure the place will look fine.

[Runner1B]

Posted: 9/9/06 at 9:37pm

The Belasco. It will never get one, however---doesn't take in enough rent $$$.

[WiiCKED x3]

Posted: 9/9/06 at 10:02pm

The Belasco is in need of some work.

[brainpolice23]

Posted: 9/10/06 at 12:32am

Sometimes the rundown feel works perfectly for a show.

ie: Urinetown.

Too bad the Henry Miller theatre's now a pile of rubble.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 9/10/06 at 7:58am

The facade of Henry Miller's Theatre is still standing, and some elements of the old playhouse were preserved for the new Henry Miller's Theatre that will be constructed on that site. The rebuilt playhouse opens in 2008.

As for the Nederlander, I was last in there prior to Rent to see Our Country's Good around 1991 or so. The facade was always gloomy and foreboding, but I always found the theatre itself rather comfortable and modestly attractive. The theatre's big problem for over two decades was its dangerous environs. It was surrounded by SRO hotels, porn stores and the 42nd Street grind houses, making going to or leaving the theatre at night a terrifying proposition. That's all changed during the run of Rent, and now the most frightening thing near that theatre is Red Lobster. There was a legitimate stigma in the theatre industry about booking that theatre prior to Rent, and it sat empty for years at a time. After Rent closes and the theatre gets a presumed makeover, I've been curious about whether that theatre will be booked more readily. As a single balcony good sized 1,200 seat house that faces the exits to Mary Poppins, and with the new New York Times building as its neighbor to the south, I have to imagine it will be used with more frequency than in its fallow years.

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 9/10/06 at 2:10pm

I first thought of the Nederlander. I never saw it before Rent, but I think it was even a little too crappy-looking for me when I saw the show. Yes, it's supposed to reflect the whole atmosphere of the show, but I didn't feel like it did. I felt like it was just extremely poorly decorated and tacky. I felt a little gross sitting in that theatre. Was I supposed to? Probably. But I think it's in need of some changes next century when Rent closes.

[OpenDoors]

Posted: 9/10/06 at 5:09pm

Def the Majestic. They sell out every single damn night you would think they would put some of that money into making it less shabby. The Imperial could use a little spiffing as well. At DRS a few months ago the "I" "P" and "A" in the marquee were missing.

[Zeitoujo]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 1:46pm

i love the sconefeld.
theaters that need a renovation =
1. richard rodgers
2. broadhurst
3. majestic
4. golden

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 1:56pm

"the nederlander is in need of some renovation when rent closes.

Really? I've always thought the Nederlander was in fairly good shape, aside from the obvious atmospheric "crapiness" that came when Rent moved in. I've noticed that the lamps under the marquee could be spruced up, but overall I think the house is meant to look like a trendy place that's just a little run down. Whenever Rent moves out and they take down all the dingy scaffolding from the boxes and the theatre is re-painted to look like a typical theatre (I don't look forward to that day...I think the Nederlander's current decor is fun and unique), I'm sure the place will look fine.

I first thought of the Nederlander. I never saw it before Rent, but I think it was even a little too crappy-looking for me when I saw the show. Yes, it's supposed to reflect the whole atmosphere of the show, but I didn't feel like it did. I felt like it was just extremely poorly decorated and tacky. I felt a little gross sitting in that theatre. Was I supposed to? Probably. But I think it's in need of some changes next century when Rent closes."

I agree. The frayed carpeting and the funky smell in the bathrooms is fine as long as Rent is playing but once that show closes, for the love of God, renovate it.

[usmma2010]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 2:47pm

with out a doubt the belesco i would of loved to of seen it back in its prime, i think the majestic is fine, huge, but fine, havent been to 54 so i cannot comment

[Jonny boy]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 3:12pm

Saw Hairspray last week. And that theatre is looking pretty rundown on the inside.....

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 4:16pm

The nederlander needs some renovating and a nice scrubbing.