Broadway Theatre

1681 Broadway,
New York, NY 10019

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Showing 51 - 63 of 63 comments

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez on April 14, 2006 at 12:15 pm

Thanks Warren. I am not sure how one would list them, but the old Criterion and the Vitagraph both deserve a listing.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez on April 14, 2006 at 4:54 am

Sorry, I found that one. It is the VITAGRAPH (44th & Broadway) that appears to be missing.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez on April 14, 2006 at 4:30 am

There appears to be no listing for Paramount’s Broadway Theatre. (1915-1928)on 41st street. Does anyone have any information?

ThePhotoplayer
ThePhotoplayer on March 29, 2006 at 2:13 am

While remodeled several times, there are some typical DeRosa features, particularly the “swish” trim around the top and bottom of the boxes.

Ed Solero
Ed Solero on January 10, 2006 at 8:19 pm

The last time I had been in the Winter Garden was for “Beatlemania” back around 1977 or ‘78. “Not the Beatles, but an incredible simulation.” Wow, nearly 30 years ago… time flies when you’re having fun!

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez on January 10, 2006 at 4:09 pm

Wow, I haven’t been to the Broadway theater in many years. The 2 shows I rmember seeing there were “The Wiz” with Stepahie Mills in the eighties and “Miss Saigon” in the mid nineties. I have to say I am surprised to see the relative lack of ornamentation on this theater. Especially after just having popped my head on Sunday into the incredible “Hollywood” theater just around the corner. Thanks Ed for the pictures!

Ed Solero
Ed Solero on January 10, 2006 at 9:37 am

I visited this theater Sunday afternoon and took in a performance from 8th row center. The proscenium opening is huge, particularly from that perspective, so I can only imagine what it must have been like with the large, curved Cinerama screen installed! I’m not sure what the original decor was like, but it looks like it could have been in the Beaux Arts style or possible Adams (judging from the foyer), with lots of arch moldings creating space for mural work. Today, it is probably one of the least ornamented theaters on Broadway. The wall space in the auditorium between the moldings is now predominantly adorned with red velvet to match the seat upholstery. The most dominant feature in this space is the elliptical dome and chandelier, which is now partially obscured with rigging for stage lighting. The main foyer is much more elegantly appointed and ornate. I snapped a series of photos while I was there; however, some of the shots in the auditorium came out a bit dark. I also lacked a wide enough lens to really capture the proscenium and dome:

Marquee
Facade and adjacent skyscraper
Dome and chandelier
Balcony view 1
Balcony view 2
Left side boxes view 1
Left side boxes view 2
Seat end-cap
Right side boxes
Proscenium arch view 1
Proscenium arch view 2
Main foyer

In the 2nd shot, you can see the way the new facade was incorporated into the adjacent skyscraper as Warren pointed out in one of his posts above. In the balcony views, you can make out where the projection booth was located (particularly in the 2nd view where you can make out the large windows at the rear of the balcony). What I’m wondering is, for the Cinerama exhibition, did they use this high projection booth? Or did they build a new booth at the rear of the orchestra (where there is a sound board now)? I know that Cinerama required a more level projection field than most rear-balcony booths provided and I notice in the ad posted by RobertR in June that the illustration seems to depict projection from the rear orchestra.

RobertR
RobertR on July 27, 2005 at 7:08 am

Here is a 1952 teaser ad for “This is Cinerama” at the Broadway View link

RobertR
RobertR on July 4, 2005 at 6:17 pm

Here is an ad from the legendary “This is Cinerama"
View link

Shade
Shade on June 4, 2004 at 1:06 pm

According to nytheatre.com’s Broadway theatre listing page, the Broadway currently has 1752 seats.

And yes this is where “Steamboat Willie” starring Mickey Mouse had its world premiere, November 18, 1928, which is recognized by the Disney company as the official birthday of Mickey Mouse. Steamboat Willie was actually Mickey’s third film, but the first two were silent (“Plane Crazy” and “The Gallopin' Gaucho”) and were swept aside in the rush to talkies.

William
William on March 30, 2004 at 11:21 am

“Fantasia” opened in New York on November 13, 1940 at the Broadway Theatre and played there for over a year. The sound system was named “Fantasound”; the original installation cost for the theatre was $85,000 (1940 prices). Only a few engagements of “Fantasia” were presented in Fantasound. The main problem was the cost to the theatres for the sound system and the possible war in Europe. Fantasia would not be heard in stereo again until 1956, when it was restored to it’s original length and released in the four-track magnetic stereo format. The “This is Cinerama” engagement only moved 5 blocks down to the Warner Theatre (aka:Strand)in Times Square.

pnrmx
pnrmx on November 28, 2003 at 6:03 am

The Broadway theater was host to several films: Fantasia (1940 I believe), which tried and failed to get stereo sound into the movies, and the stop-action animated version of “Hansel and Gretel” in 1954, one year AFTER Cinerama moved downtown to the Warner Theater fo finish its record 2.5 year run.

WilliamMcQuade
WilliamMcQuade on March 20, 2002 at 2:24 pm

I also believe “Steamboat Willie” ( the 1 st Mickey Mouse) premiered here. The interior seats were removed twice for 2 different broadway shows. It is a miracle it still looks as good as it does