Which Broadway Theaters are most in need of Renovation? — Page 3

I really like the inside of Studio 54!

I have never been in the mezzanine or the balcony so I don't know about the bad seating up there.

"I think every theatre needs some sort of added construction that makes it so cellular phones and electronic devices lose all signal upon entering the theatre."

I seem to recall reading an article about this. The major problem with this that it also block electronic devices that need to be heard-police, fire department, paramedics. The benefits for comfort are far outweighed by the safety issues involved in an emergency situation in 1000+ seat theatre.

"$1.25 restoration fee per ticket"

That's the money they put into the strike fund. Theater owners often pass off renovation costs onto their new tenant.

While, sadly for me, I only had minor problems with the leg room at the Walter Kerr, the man next to me appeared to be about 6' tall. He said he was in pain and I believed him because most of his legs fell into my area or his wife's area on the other side of him. There should be enough leg room for a 6' tall person in any theatre.

They could do what they did with the Longacre ... tear up the orchestra level and dig deep into the earth below to carve out a new lounge area. They did the same thing when the Biltmore/Friedman was restored. The Cort - though still a quite attractive house - was once painted in florid colors - lots of peacock blues, pinks and peach shades. Over the years, it's been dulled down with that institutional oatmeal color. Also, the latticed proscenium has colored glass behind it that used to be illuminated. (You can see some of it if you head down front and stare closely at the lattice. There's blue glass behind it). I do hope the Cort gets the Longacre treatment. Will Ferrell's show and eight months of The 39 Steps have proven that there's no curse in that house.

As far as which theatres need restoration the most: the Belasco and the Ambassador always top my list, but the Richard Rodgers also needs some major interior work - surely the grey walls and black ceiling could not have been the original color scheme!

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Updated On: 2/25/09 at 02:55 PM

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

Even though it's been decorated, this theater still needs renovating. Very tight seating, and walking (up or down) the steep stairs is scary [They seem to be sloped downward].

I was in the front of the mezzanine for Guys and Dolls last Wednesday night, imagining a couple sliding all the way down the stairs from the top, losing their clothing along the way and flipping over the railing, each one landing ass up near the front of the orchestra just as the dice were thrown.


p.s. CRAPS! I say.

The Mark Hellinger

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I have only been in 3 Bway theatre and many many many regional/touring theatre but I think that the Neil Simon and the Nederlander need more leg room god! I had to keep my leg cramped together. the Gershwin was quite comfortable cuz Wicked makes a trillion a day lol :)

I don't think Studio 54 has a pit, but I'm not sure. I remember them having the orchestra in the boxes for either SITPWG or Pal Joey. You don't need to be a subscriber to get orchestra seats, but it seems like most of the orch seats available are usually in the back or on the sides.

I agree that the Booth needs renovations badly, but I actually kind of like the condition it's in now since it gives it personality. Although the Marquis is in good condition, I wish something would be done to make the interior less boring.

Oh my god! -if Studio 54 wasn't build for this purpose what the bloody hell was it built for! What a ridiculous statement!
lol lol

Smaxie: Thank you for the great photo of the early life of what is now called Studio 54. Most people probably didn't know it began as the Gallo Opera House in 1927.
The Depression hit this theatre hard and six weeks after the stock market crash of 1929, it was sold in foreclosure. It was renamed The New Yorker Theatre. That too failed and it was taken over by another owner and made into a nightclub in 1933. That's when the theatre seats were first replaced with tables and chairs. This venture also failed and it was renamed The Palladium in 1936 and it functioned as an English type Music Hall. As the Depression raged on, the theatre was taken over by the WPA in 1937, renamed The Federal Music Theatre and renaming back to The New Yorker in 1939. In 1942 CBS bought it and renamed it Radio Playhouse#4 and later Studio 52. In 1976 CBS sold it to Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager who opened it as Studio 54 in 1977, as the famous disco. It was a concert venue after it was sold in 1980. I'm uncertain as to when the Roundabout Theatre became its' owner but it certainly serves their purposes well. I've seem many musicals there and I like its' atmosphere.

Just about all of them could use some seating renovation. As a gentleman of somewhat larger build, it's positively painful to see a show sometimes. I know it's all about squeezing as many people in the joint as possible -- but seriously -- lose 2-4 seats per row and give people some gd breathing room!