Will the Mark Hellinger ever become a Broadway theatre again?- Page 2

[JohnnyJune]

Posted: 7/28/05 at 6:21pm

Though I do have to say that the Echo store doesn't look to be making much change to the theatre at all. There hasn't been any construction going on from what I've seen. Perhaps (Hopefully) they've come into some builing issues or maybe the costs have detered them from changing the theatre.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 7/28/05 at 6:22pm

Now THAT is a lobby!

[magruder]

Posted: 7/28/05 at 6:29pm

Part of the deal with the Ecko store in the Times Square Theatre is that it has to retain all of the interior details it had as a theatre, in case it ever had to return to theatrical use. So, if the store flounders, the Times Square could be back up for grabs again.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/28/05 at 6:52pm

It was indeed a vaudeville house as was the Hellinger

Any theater built in the 20's usually housed vaudeville. The backstage area probaly is lying vacant or as a storage facility. There used to be a theater @ Canal & Ludlow called the Loew's Canal. Last time I heard was years ago it was used as storage for a hardware store. I got in & it was still in fairly good condition

Updated On: 7/28/05 at 06:52 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/28/05 at 7:20pm

Here is what used to be the Edison Theater.

http://www.thesupperclub.com/

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/28/05 at 8:18pm

Magruder, Thanks for posting those beautiful pictures. The only time I had been to the Mark Hellinger was during the run of Sugar Babies while I was in high school. At that time I remembered thinking that it was the most beautiful Broadway theatre I had been in. Looking at those pictures reminds me, that it STILL is the most beautiful theatre I have ever been in.

[magruder]

Posted: 7/28/05 at 8:26pm

Thankfully, the church has kept it in pretty pristine condition ... even better than when it was being used as a Broadway house.
I do love the Art Nouveau insanity of the New Amsterdam, but there is a majestic grandeur to the Mark Hellinger that is unmatched by any other Broadway theatre.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/28/05 at 11:00pm

If you want majestic grandeur, take the path to journal square in Jersey City. There are 2 theaters there . There used to be 3 but the State was either demolished or fell down depending on who you speak to

The Loews Jersey is a palace in pristine condition . It has over 3,000 seats & shows classic movies the way movies were intended to be seen. Across the street is the old RKO Stanley. It is now Jehovah's Witness temple. The lobby will blow your mind & the chandelier is the size of Cleveland. It still has the original marquee restored with the stained glass RKO on each side. Definitely worth a trip

[Princeton78]

Posted: 7/28/05 at 11:05pm

It's gorgeous inside still. Perhaps it might be a perfect place for one of the big London musicals? Would be great to re-open it with Mary Poppins or Billy Elliott.

[CastAlbumFan]

Posted: 7/28/05 at 11:29pm

One can only hope, Princeton. I was thinking the exact same thing!

And magruder, a MILLION thanks for the cool photos!

[devonian.t]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 12:48pm

There is a small theatre, just up from the Palace, which is currently advertizing its lease. I see it when I'm sitting drinking delicious juice, (won't advertize the company but I love the health boosts!) Anyone know anything about it? The theatre, that is, not the juice!

[QueenS]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 1:48pm

Thankfully, there are some laws in place now. In the early 80's, when theatre was dying (well, one of the times), theatres were being torn down left and right. Three on one day alone (to make room for the Marriott--they had to include a theatre on the premises to do so, but couldn't they have made it a decent looking one?). It was after that "Black Monday" that people got the theatres declared as historical monuments to save them from destruction.

However, the Biltmore sat for decades before MTC finally saved it and that was always sad to pass by.

There's a great monologue in "It's Only a Play" about the state of theatres at the time (it was written in '85). That refers to both the Hellinger and the Biltmore.

As far as the Times Square Theatre, while it's true that the Cort and Belasco are often empty, I think that's more because of their bad locations. Being on 42nd, I bet the TST would have a better track record (assuming that it didn't try and house Draclua, 6 Dance Lessons, Prince of Central Park, Bobbie Boland, Frog and Toad, Marlene, If You Ever Leave Me, did I forget anything?).

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 2:27pm

There's an amazing book called "Lost Broadway Theatres" that is just stunning.

It gives an in-depth history of around 90 theatres and it's by Nicholas van Hoogstraten. It was purchased for me as a gift, but I believe it's out-of-print. But if all this interests any of you, go look for it on ebay or at Applause before it closes. It's fascinating.

Posted: 7/29/05 at 2:40pm

Thanks Jamie for posting! Yes, GET THIS BOOK! It's a must have. I believe Barnes and Noble still has it!!!

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 2:43pm

In Europe , they revere their old theatres and treat them well, in America, we bulldoze them for office buildings or hotels.

It's amazing to me how easily we tear down our heritage - The American Culture, for the most part, truly is ugly.
Updated On: 7/29/05 at 02:43 PM