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Who's next to get a B'Way theater named after them? — Page 2

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#26

Who's next to get a B'Way theater named after them?

Posted: 11/6/12 at 4:58pm

Some truly weird names here, but one that makes me wonder most is - Marvin Hamlisch?

He wrote the music to 5 shows - one huge hit, one modest success, and three flops.

Before a record like that, you'd need to give some credit to Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Kander & Ebb, Stephen Schwartz, Bock & Harnick, Jerry Herman, Charles Strouse, Frank Loesser, Jule Styne, Comden & Green, Leonard Bernstein, and maybe Cy Coleman.
#30

Who's next to get a B'Way theater named after them?

Posted: 11/6/12 at 8:18pm

Nor would Steven probably allow them to name a theater named after him. He has done a lot for Musical theater though not as much as some but I would prefer a theater to be named after him then some of the people that have been mentioned. I could see the New Amsterdam being renamed the mackintosh seeing that its a Disney theater.
#31

Who's next to get a B'Way theater named after them?

Posted: 11/6/12 at 8:22pm

Tennessee Williams, Harold Prince and Arthur Miller, first and foremost.

Edward Albee and Ethel Merman, secondly.

Thomas Meehan, Jerry Herman and Stephen Schwartz, eventually.

If they ever name a theatre after Ethel Merman, it'd have to be a large house like the Broadway or Winter Garden. Naming a smaller house the Ethel Merman Theatre would be an insult.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
#32

Who's next to get a B'Way theater named after them?

Posted: 11/6/12 at 8:23pm

So many worthy names who are worthy of the honor of a Broadway theatre named after them, but not enough theatres?

Anyway people calling that the Broadway or Winter Garden should be named after x, need to think again, the Shubert organization don't name their theatres after Broadway celebrities.
#33

Who's next to get a B'Way theater named after them?

Posted: 11/6/12 at 8:32pm

It is insulting to use "celebrity" as the one and only adjective to describe a lot of those mentioned who deserve to have theatres named after them.

For instance, Tennessee Williams was a celebrity in his day. Now several years after his passing, his work continues to be heavily produced around the world, especially on Broadway. Yes, he was a celebrity, but he is also now a legend. He has a lasting and appreciated legacy. His work in theatre has heavily contributed to the success of theatre as an art form.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
#34

Who's next to get a B'Way theater named after them?

Posted: 11/6/12 at 10:46pm

I'd like to see Kander and Ebb have a theatre named after them, sometime in the future. The Kander-Ebb Theatre has a nice ring to it.

I do second Tennessee Williams receiving this honor. When I was younger I did not appreciate the brilliance of his works; now I'm going through his theatrical catalogue, reading his plays when possible (and his short stories are fantastic too.) This just proves the saying "with age comes wisdom." :-p
#36

Who's next to get a B'Way theater named after them?

Posted: 11/7/12 at 12:41pm

"It is insulting to use "celebrity" as the one and only adjective to describe a lot of those mentioned who deserve to have theatres named after them.

For instance, Tennessee Williams was a celebrity in his day. Now several years after his passing, his work continues to be heavily produced around the world, especially on Broadway. Yes, he was a celebrity, but he is also now a legend. He has a lasting and appreciated legacy. His work in theatre has heavily contributed to the success of theatre as an art form."

I agree at the time of writing the post I thought 'theatre celebrity' was a badly worded term, but my mind run a blank at the time and I do think legends is a mre generous term.

However that doesn't get away from the point that The Shubert Organization doesn't name their theaters after legends.
#37

Who's next to get a B'Way theater named after them?

Posted: 11/7/12 at 12:46pm

I hear they are announcing today the "Mitt Romney Theater." It will exclusively house shows that no one actually likes but stick around forever.
#39

Who's next to get a B'Way theater named after them?

Posted: 11/7/12 at 1:34pm

"I completly agree that eventually upon the X-anniversary of phantom the Majestic will be renamed the webber, but I also think it will only happen once he's dead, since the Broadway community hates his ego and they most certainly don't want to inflate it anymore. Phantom will likly outlive its creator, but if it doesn't I don't think the majestic will be renamed the Webber."

Who are you to speak for the Broadway Community? And I hope you're not talking about some anonymous theater board posters as anywhere near the theater community. Webber deserves The Majestic without question as he also kept the Winter Garden filled for twenty years. However, it's obvious The Shubert Organization is more interested in fluffing their own egos than honoring those who actually put asses in the seats.
#43

Who's next to get a B'Way theater named after them?

Posted: 11/9/12 at 10:43pm

According to what I've read, at one time (in the late 70s or early 80s) they (and I really don't remember who 'they' were) were close to naming a theatre after Merman. Apparently when she heard WHAT theatre it was, she was insulted because it was a very worn down piece of crap. Her assessment was spot on because it was demolished a short time later.

In my opinion, she is deserving of one based on the number of iconic Broadway hits alone she introduced. Opening night at 'The Merm' has a nice ring to it.
#45

Who's next to get a B'Way theater named after them?

Posted: 11/10/12 at 10:19am

I'm surprised it hasn't mentioned yet, but to me the most likely next naming would the 25th Anniversary of Phantom, and the Majestic being re-named for Hal Prince. "The Prince Theatre" is pretty objectively the most natural sounding name of all the names mentioned, no?
Words don't deserve that kind of malarkey. They're innocent, neutral, precise, standing for this, describing that, meaning the other, so if you look after them you can build bridges across incomprehension and chaos. But when they get their corners knocked off, they're no good anymore…I don't think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.
#46

Who's next to get a B'Way theater named after them?

Posted: 11/10/12 at 10:45am

Anybody for Bob Fosse?

Gower and Marge Champion? I like saying, "Headed off to the Gower this evening."
"Through The Sacrifice You Made, We Can't Believe The Price You Paid..For Love!"

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