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42nd Street TheatresIn the first two decades of the 20th century, West 42nd Street became the home to a number of theatres and was the center of the new Broadway theatre district. For a look back at these theatres in their prime, see Michael Whitlach's Virtual 42nd Street and Musicals101.com. The North side of the street was (from East to West):
The South side of the street was:
As Americans headed for the suburbs and live theatre declined in the the 1960s, the majestic theatres of West 42nd Street were not spared the fate that faced large theatres all across the country. These theatres turned to movies (often being subdivided into multiple theatres) and then became porn houses before settling as vacant, fetid caverns of debt and dispair. By the time I got to NYC in the early 1990s, this block became known as "The Deuce" - a fearsome post-apocalyptic adult Disneyland (tm) of shuttered theatres, sex shops and prostitutes. For a look back at this tawdry and fascinating era, see the Forgotten-NY page on the old 42nd Street.
As the economy improved in the late 1990s and life returned to America's urban centers, civic leaders and commercial interests began coveting this newly valuable real-estate and implementing a curious, distinctly '90s vision of New York as a family-friendly urban theme park. Theatres that couldn't be shoehorned into tourist-friendly structures were demolished. Three of the ten surviving theatres remained more or less intact as live theatrical venues with elements of four more incorporated into new structures. The two movie megaplexes are particularly problematic as it is difficult to understand why tourists (who make up most of the visitors to Times Square) would want to spend $11 (on top of $200+ a night for a hotel) to see the same Hollywood schlock they could see for 25% less within a comfortable drive of their suburban Iowa McMansion. But Times Square has never been about rationality. While no morally responsible citizen could advocate for a return to the decomposition of the '70s, I suspect that the 2006 incarnation of 42nd Street is unsustainable in its current form. As of 2006 the North side of the street is:
The South side:
Victory Theatre209 West 42nd Street
Built by Oscar Hammerstein as the Republic Theatre, it was leased to David Belasco in 1902 and known as the Belasco Theatre until 1910. In 1931, Minsky converted it into a burlesque house which at one time featured Gypsy Rose Lee. It was renamed the Victory Theatre in 1942 when it became a movie house. After descending into porn and vacancy, it was acquired by the 42nd Street Development Project and lovingly restored and reopened in 1995 as the New Victory, a theatre completely devoted to children's programming.
Hilton Theatre213 W 42th Street
Completely new theatre that incorporated elements of the Apollo Theatre (1920) and the the facade of the Lyric Theatre (1903). Originally opened as the Ford Center for the Performing Arts until hard times hit the Ford Company and bankruptcy killed Livent, the original operator of the venue.
Times Square Theatre219 West 42nd Street
Converted to movie theatre in 1933. Notable productions include Strike up the Band (1930), Private Lives (1931). The Times Square was the last of the 42nd Street theatres that still needed redevelopment and was, supposedly, tied up in the bankruptcy of the Livent production company. Plans (as of this writing in Fall 2006) are for an Ecko Unlimited store that will preserve much of the theatrical interior.
American Airlines Theatre / Duke Theatre229 West 42nd Street
Renovation of the Selwyn Theatre, which was built in 1918 and operated as a legitimate theatre until being converted to motion pictures in 1934.
B.B. King's Blues Club237 West 42th Street B.B. King's Blues Club is a restaurant and concert venue on the North side of 42nd Street, just East of the E-Walk entertainment complex. Apparently, no legitimate theatres were destroyed in the creation of this building. The club is primarily host to mid-level performers that appeal to baby boomers. The photos below are of the 2005 reunion of The Raspberries, the seminal early '70s power pop group led by Eric Carmen.
42nd Street E-Walk Theatre247 West 42nd Street
A gaudy 13-screen megamess that opened on the site of the old 24-hour porn house, The Harem. Feel no loss for The Harem - it was simply retail space converted to porn in the 1970s. (reference)
New Amsterdam TheatreOpened 1903 214 West 42nd Street Became a movie house in 1937 and experienced a long period of vacancy until being bought by the Disney Company for a renovation and reopening in 1997. Notable productions include Shaw's Caesar and Cleopatra (1906), Ziegfeld Follies of 1913 - 1927, Sally (1923), Whoopee (1928), The Bandwagon (1931), The Lion King (1997).
Empire TheatreOpened 1912
Built as the Eltinge 42nd Street Theatre. Converted to films in 1942 and renamed Laff Movie. Renamed after the demolished Empire Theatre (1430 B'way 1893-1953) in 1954. The theatre was largely demolished and the landmark facade was moved 100 feet (?) west to be incorporated into a completely new 25 screen, 5000 seat movie theatre that was part of the redevelopment of 42nd street in the mid 90's. (Empire reference), (Harris / Anco reference).
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