Why don't the Shubert's take care of their theater exteriors?

[LiveLoud22]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 2:43pm

I'm going to get a tiny bit ranty, but it's criminal that these gorgeous theaters aren't being taken care of. The Broadhurst isn't even the same color anymore. Sure, the theater is fairly old and sustained tons of wear and tear over the years, but it's nothing that maintenance work couldn't fix.

Look at the photo above - you can still see the original light-stone color of the theater beneath the dirt. It would be SUCH a stunner if they just cleaned it up a bit! Yes, it's a recession and everything costs money, but really, hiring a team to powerwash the exterior is *not* that expensive. Especially with all of the protective coatings we have nowadays that can be applied to shield buildings/stone/etc from the natural elements, it just seems silly that more care wouldn't be given to protecting these gems.

The Broadhurst is in the worst shape by far, but theaters like the Longacre and Shubert could benefit enormously from some power washing, too.




Updated On: 8/12/12 at 02:43 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 3:02pm

Makes you wonder what exactly they're "restoring" with that mandatory $1.25 fee they collect on all tickets sold, doesn't it?

[theatreguy]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 3:09pm

You don't think some of that money went to the recent restorations/renovations of the Booth, Belasco and Longacre, the exterior power-washing of the Music Box and Jacobs and the current renovations of the Golden?

They seem to be working their way pretty steadily through their theaters.

[LiveLoud22]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 3:13pm

TheatreGuy, you're right, I should've made note of those - but still, it seems like they're willing to shell out serious bank to fix up the interiors (new seats, etc), which is great, but they do very little work on the exteriors.




Updated On: 8/12/12 at 03:13 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 3:14pm

The Broadhurst is a total mess both on the outside and the inside with seats so cramped, they wouldn't even be comfortable for an audience of dwarfs.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 3:25pm

^ I agree. A terribly uncomfortable theater.

[Jon]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 4:06pm

The "restoration fees" are simply a way for the theatre owners to get some extra income. That amount is NOT included in the weekly grosses, and therefore the creative team doesn't get a percentage of it.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 4:09pm

I don't think anyone ever thought the fees were included in the grosses.

[broadwaybabytn]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 5:09pm

As a 6 foot 5 theatergoer, I hate the Broadhurst seating.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 5:12pm

Why would the creative team receive any of the money from restoration fees? They aren't responsible for the physical building (unless their production damages it).

[LiveLoud22]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 5:35pm

Yeah, who said something about the creatives getting a cut of the restoration money? Jon mentioned it, but like Jordan, I don't know who the hell ever actually thought that.

[Jon]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 7:23pm

I was just pointing out that when you pay your $125 or whatever for a ticket, part of that money is not going to the producers of the show.

[hermajesty]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 7:28pm

you don't go and watch the productions anyway, so what's the point? If you supported them more, maybe they could afford to renovate them. If you don't use 'em, you lose 'em....simples.

Updated On: 8/12/12 at 07:28 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 7:40pm

I thought you weren't going to post here anymore, HerVagesty.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 7:41pm

I'd pay $1.25 to make that happen.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 7:46pm

I'd pay a sixpence and a guinea to make that happen.

[hermajesty]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 7:51pm

Shut it

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 7:53pm

SUCK IT

[CapnHook]

Posted: 8/12/12 at 7:54pm

I think its more important to renovate the interiors rather than the exteriors. Exteriors get covered with advertisements and graffitti anyway. I'd much rather sit in a comfortable seat with leg room. Has anyone seen JERSEY BOYS since the Jujamcyns installed their new seating? I read from maybe Riedel that the new seating they chose really does make a difference in sustained comfort for the 2.5 hours that you're sitting down.

[Jordan Catalano]

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

Shut what? You're the one who said "I shall nevuh return to these 'ere boards what cause yawls is mean an' nasty"

[bandit964]

Posted: 2/27/15 at 1:50pm

I'd like to bump this.

Some of the brickwork on these buildings is exquisite. The grime that has built up on them just makes them look sad and dying.

Luckily, the interiors of most HAVE been restored beautifully. I know when we buy a ticket we are spending time in the inside of the building, but more often than not, I find myself walking through the district saddened by the state of the theatres.

Ambassador:


Broadhurst:


Cort: no brickwork, but the building is peeling


Jacobs: what is with those windows?


Imperial: 46th view



Just to show a few. What does a power wash cost?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/27/15 at 2:03pm

Generally todays theatergoers could not give a **** about theater exteriors

They come (for the most part)to see the show and leave. Many do not even care about the interiors either.

[Kad]

Posted: 2/27/15 at 2:11pm

The 46th st view of the Imperial is even worse now - parts of the theatre's name on the awning have fallen off. It's basically indecipherable now if you didn't know the name already.

[bandit964]

Posted: 2/27/15 at 2:13pm

Generally, they couldn't. But I know a lot of people who do care. They're such gorgeously designed buildings and it could make for a much more beautiful stroll through the theatre district.

Maybe the general theatregoers never notice it, but I think to myself everytime I walk through, "boy would it look nice if they cleaned up the outside of some of these theatres."



Updated On: 2/27/15 at 02:13 PM

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/27/15 at 8:31pm

#restorebroadwaysexterior2k15 LETS GET THIS TRENDING PEEPS!!