Mark Hellinger Theater/Times Square Church

[Dollypop]

The photo that MB posted makes me realize how ugly light bars are when they're hung over the heads of the audience. There are none in this photo and the view of the theater is excellent as a result.

One would think that the cleverness of today's designers would allow for a way to conceal those ugly (but much needed) light bars.

[fashionguru_23]

Are there any other "lost" Broadway theatres that are still functioning that you can go into? I remember hearing about one that was turned into a banquet hall or something that was connected with a big NY hotel. Anyone remember that name?

[thetinymagic2]

http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Broadway-Theatres-Nicholas-Hoogstraten/dp/1568981163/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1334190001&sr=1-1-catcorr

A MUST HAVE book - so happy it's available once again!

[greatwhiteway72]

I've always wondered: Can anyone tell me why the New Victory Theatre on 42nd Street is considered an Off-Broadway Theatre? Is it because of its seating capacity?

[AEA AGMA SM]

Yes. An Off-Broadway theatre can only have up to 499 seats. A Broadway theatre has to have at least 500.

[AnythingGoes23]

Due to his love of My Fair Lady. Cameron Mackinotsh attempted to buy the theatre but was refused.

Shame, he would have looked after it and with his contacts could have kept the theatre full. I'd imagine we would have seen a revival of My Fair Lady in there and I bet Mary Poppins would be playing there now and Lion King would have stayed at New Amsterdam.

[Skywalker3]

They can have the Gershwin or Marquis Theatre!

[Smaxie]

>Are there any other "lost" Broadway theatres that are still functioning that you can go into? I remember hearing about one that was turned into a banquet hall or something that was connected with a big NY hotel. Anyone remember that name?<

Apart from the Eltinge/Empire, which serves as the entrance for the AMC 25 complex, and of course, the Hellinger, there are four other former theatres in the Broadway theatre district that are being used or earmarked for other purposes.

The first theatre you are referring to is the Liberty, on 42nd Street, which is now Famous Dave's BBQ. If you enter the restaurant, the theatre is intact, toward the back. You can walk in and take a look around. They restored most of the remaining interior details and apart from some oversized light fixtures they've added, it's quite attractive.



The Times Square is also on 42nd Street and is the theatre that is supposed to become some sort of interactive 4D Broadway musical experience.





The Hudson, the second theatre you mentioned, is on West 44th Street, down the street from the Belasco, and is part of the Millennium Hotel, and is used for corporate events, catering, etc.




The Hammerstein is on Broadway at 53rd Street and is the Ed Sullivan Theatre, home of The Late Show. Its original interior was quite spectacular.