Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
#50re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/9/06 at 4:07pmHuh! Just because Phantom never (really?) close doesn't mean that he deserves a theatre!
#51re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/9/06 at 5:35pm
I agree with those before me who have mentioned Ethel Merman. She was known in her day as the First Lady of the American Musical Theatre, just as Helen Hayes was known as the First Lady of the American Theatre in her day. Miss Hayes had a theatre named after her on 46th Street which was torn down in the 1980's to make way for the Marriott Hotel. Then they named the Little Theatre on 44th Street after her.
They could re-name the Imperial Theatre on 45th Street after Ethel Merman since she had some of her biggest hits there: ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, CALL ME MADAM, and GYPSY (which transferred from the Broadway late in its run).
Brooks Atkinson was the very highly regarded theatre critic for the New York Times for decades and that is why he has a theatre named for him. Walter Kerr similarly was a highly regarded, fair theatre critic, first for The New York Herald Tribune and then, when that folded, for The New York Times. Thus, Kerr has a theatre named for him.
#52re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/9/06 at 5:49pmStephen Sondheim PERIOD
#53re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/9/06 at 5:49pmStephen Sondheim PERIOD
xerotheory7803
Stand-by Joined: 10/16/06
#54re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/9/06 at 5:53pmMel Brooks...and it can only have Mel Brooks plays there...it could work...just think...spaceballs: the musical.....history of the world the musical....its genius. lol
bwayondabrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/05
#55re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/9/06 at 6:02pm
i know she didnt have the largest Broadway career, but what about Babrbra Streisand?
The Streisand Theatre. I like it! :)
and how about the Maddigan, or the Benanti, or the Spanger? haha, just kidding!
#56re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/9/06 at 6:05pmJerry Herman or Julie Styne
#57re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/9/06 at 6:05pmJerry Herman or Julie Styne
SweMozArt
Leading Actor Joined: 7/31/06
#58re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/9/06 at 6:09pm
Does any theatre deserve not to be named? I mean does any theatre have an original name that is considered to be of great historical value? I think it's quite nice with a theatre that has it's own idendity. Theatre people come and go but the theatre and it's name is constant. Im not totally against the naming of theatres after people, its a nice gesture of remembrance and it might learn tourists a name or two but i don't think that every theater should have such a name.
If one has to name a theater after a person and a corporation how about "The Majestic Andrew Lloyd Webber theater in cooperation with British Airways".
Updated On: 11/9/06 at 06:09 PM
#59re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/9/06 at 6:40pm
Wow, Gypsy9. If Ethel really did play Annie Get Your Gun, Call Me Madam, and Gypsy all at the Imperial, I'm convinced. It's now "The Ethel" as far as I'm concerned. Now you've got me thinking.... If only we could have heard her "Here I Am" in DRS. It would've made a great addition to her disco album, too.
Updated On: 11/9/06 at 06:40 PM
SweMozArt
Leading Actor Joined: 7/31/06
#60re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/9/06 at 6:47pm
"Wow, SweMozArt. If Ethel really did play Annie Get Your Gun, Call Me Madam, and Gypsy all at the Imperial, I'm convinced. It's now "The Ethel" as far as I'm concerned. Now you've got me thinking.... If only we could have heard her "Here I Am" in DRS. It would've made a great addition to her disco album, too".
Im sorry, but i don't get your point. Which one of my posts are you referring to?
Updated On: 11/9/06 at 06:47 PM
#61re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/9/06 at 6:59pmOops. I erroneously addressed my previous post to you, SweMozArt. Thanks!
Shiksa Goddess2
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/8/05
#62re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/9/06 at 7:06pmMy first thought was Sondheim, but after thinking if over... Menzel Theatre has such a nice ring to it.
SweMozArt
Leading Actor Joined: 7/31/06
#63re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/9/06 at 7:10pm
I see. Cheers. I wouldn't like to be in Gypsy9:s shoes right now. :)
Updated On: 11/9/06 at 07:10 PM
#64re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/9/06 at 7:15pmThe ISABELLE STEVENSON Theatre or Performing Arts Complex - come one The board chairwoman and former President of the American Theatre Wing which established the Tony Awards. THE HILTON Theatre (Name) has to Goooooooooo. Paris HILTON - "That's Hot", give me a break.
actor
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/14/06
#65re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/9/06 at 10:23pm
Sutton Foster - The Foster Theatre
Ethel Merman - The Merman Theatre
Sherie Rene Scott - The Scott Theatre
Danny Burstein - The Burstein Theatre
#66re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/9/06 at 10:32pm
There actually will be a Sondheim Theatre in my hometown.
see for yourself
Updated On: 11/9/06 at 10:32 PM
#67re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/9/06 at 10:34pmWOW! Not on Broadway but down to community, so generous!
#68re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/10/06 at 4:18amI think there should be a Judy Garland Theatre. She didn't do anything on Broadway but concerts but she was big for musicals in general.
dancinfan
Broadway Star Joined: 8/9/04
#69re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/10/06 at 9:33am
Hal Prince. One of the most creative driving forces in musical theatre history.
George Abbott. Same thing, earlier era.
#70re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/10/06 at 10:01amThe theatre on 54th street (now demolished) started out as the Craig then became the Adelphi, then the 54th Street, and finally the GEORGE ABBOTT THEATRE. Because of its location (between 6th and 7th Avenues on West 54th Street) it was nick named the House of Flops, although in 1944 it housed ON THE TOWN, the musical by Leonard Bernstein and Comden & Green which played for 462 performances, a very respectable run for its time. In later times shows that were nearing their closings transferred there, like BYE BYE BIRDIE in the early 1960's.
#71re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/10/06 at 10:03am
MERMAN! MERMAN!!
The Big Voice: God or Merman?
FoscasBohemianDream
Broadway Star Joined: 1/20/06
#72re: Who deserves to have a theater named after them?
Posted: 11/13/06 at 3:17am
Uta Hagen
Ethel Merman
Stephen Sondheim
Oscar Hammerstein II
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