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Theater Refurbishments

Mr Roxy Profile Photo
Mr Roxy
#1Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/24/14 at 2:25pm

After Cabaret closes, Studio 54 should be next in line to be renovated. Every time you go it is like going to the grave of Studio 54

With a refurbishment including rebuilding the Proscenium plus the removal of the leopard carpet and inside stud lighting it would be a beautiful theater. A nice new coat of paint would do wonders for it as well

Anyone else agree or have other suggestions which theaters need a do over?


Poster Emeritus

broadwayguy2
#2Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/24/14 at 2:27pm

The problem with your logic there is that Studio 54, as a theatre space, was designed to have that feel, crumbling proscenium and all. The real problem is a lack of actual stage, orchestra pit and workable wingspace.

Regarding other theatres, the Neil Simon is in dire need of a facelift.

Smaxie Profile Photo
Smaxie
#2Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/24/14 at 2:34pm

Worth mentioning that when Studio 54 first opened as the Gallo Opera House, it looked like this.


Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.

Mr Roxy Profile Photo
Mr Roxy
#3Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/24/14 at 2:38pm

The crumbling is a result of wear and tear plus the theater being used as a TV studio and night club. I doubt very seriously when it was built it was built with a crumbling proscenium and a cramped feeling intentionally. I stand by my idea but you are entitled to your opinion. I think the picture above proves my point.

When shows other than Cabaret are there, it is a theater and people are not paying high prices for feeling cramped. They want to feel like they are in a theater.

Eugene De Rosa designed it ( he also did the theater where 4D may open) and it opened in 1927 with a little under 1000 seats. It is a small theater but should be modernized and redone inside.

It is a beautiful underappreciated gem of a theater.


Poster Emeritus
Updated On: 4/24/14 at 02:38 PM

jnb9872 Profile Photo
jnb9872
#4Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/24/14 at 5:40pm

I remember thinking, when I saw EDWIN DROOD, that it was a gorgeous and intimate house, very well kept.

In terms of theatres that need to be refurbished, whenever this topic comes up I am a broken record but the Lyceum, the Lyceum, the Lyceum. The Shuberts better be making progress with the red tape associated with a Landmarked building.


Words don't deserve that kind of malarkey. They're innocent, neutral, precise, standing for this, describing that, meaning the other, so if you look after them you can build bridges across incomprehension and chaos. But when they get their corners knocked off, they're no good anymore…I don't think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.

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mjohnson2
#5Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/24/14 at 10:52pm

I love studio 54, particularly the art deco feel of it, but I agree that it could use a little refurbishment, as long as they don't change anything major.


Anything regarding shows stated by this account is an attempt to convey opinion and not fact.

perfectlymarvelous Profile Photo
perfectlymarvelous
#6Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/24/14 at 11:24pm

The Cort, or at least the balcony, desperately needs some refurbishment. It's pretty cramped up there (and I'm 5'6") and the seats are uncomfortable and falling apart.

broadwayguy2
#7Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/25/14 at 1:15am

I know how 54 was designed and conceived, but when Roundabout returned it to legitimate theatre status, they did so woth the design intent for what is there now. It s not that it needs to be refurbished, it is that we wish the design were different. I do not disagree with your opinion. I disagree in what it NEEDS vs what we would like.

neonlightsxo
#8Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/25/14 at 9:23am

I second the Cort. I was just there (balcony) to see INISHMAAN- There is visible water damage on the ceiling in the balcony, and the overhang (to the mezzanine) is covered in dust.

#9Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/25/14 at 4:33pm

Is the Marquis getting done up at the moment or just dark.

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ethan231h
#10Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/25/14 at 5:02pm

I know with Studio 54 they can get some new seats for some leg room upstairs!

AEA AGMA SM
#11Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/25/14 at 8:11pm

It would require more than just new seats in the balcony to get more leg room there, or in any theatre for that matter. To add more leg room they would have to rip out the entire mezz/balcony and start over essentially. There isn't really a way to make the rows the seats are in wider when you are dealing with tiered/stadium-style seating like you find in the mezzanines and balconies in theaters.

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forgetmenotnyc
#12Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/26/14 at 12:33pm

Thank you Smaxie for that great pic of Studio 54 before. I agree with all the postings here & would like to add the NEDERLANDER. (It supposedly WAS recently refurbished too.) They have these seats squeezed on the sides of the orch. that are on a literal sideways slant. Ridiculous! Upstairs at Studio 54 is esp. bad. Places where enameled cement flooring is uneven which come sometime be even worse when carpeting is thrown down OVER inconsistent surfaces so you don't see it coming & all of a sudden you take a step & your heel goes down & your toes go up (& this is coming from someone who loves mountain hiking.) With so many aging patrons who already may be struggling with stairs & walking - it just can seem disrespectful sometimes (what with the ticket costs & all?) The Friedman/MTC is a good model of tasteful modern refurbishment of old spaces - or the New Amsterdam & Belasco.

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luvcaroline
#13Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/26/14 at 1:40pm

B Scot, I've been wondering about the Marquis myself. Anyone?

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adam.peterson44
#14Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/26/14 at 5:13pm

My vote for prioritizing refurbishments goes to the theatres mentioned on the Most Uncomfortable Theatres thread. Starting with the horrific, torturous Broadhurst which can only reasonably seat double-above-the-knee-amputees. Anyone with knees in that abomination of a building will experience appalling torture. New seats in uncomfortable theatres should be the priority in deciding which ones to renovate, in my opinion.

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VernonGersch
#15Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/27/14 at 2:10am

The Cort without a doubt. Unless there is a particularly amazing production that plays there I don't need to feel that uncomfortable while paying a high price for a ticket.

Inishman was fantastic and glad I had the chance to see it

bobs3
#16Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/27/14 at 5:44am

The Marquis is getting top to bottom renovations -- new seats, new carpet, new railings, new interior wall design as well as the backstage area and dressing rooms.

luvcaroline Profile Photo
luvcaroline
#17Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/27/14 at 9:48am

Thanks for the info, bobs3. We saw Evita and thought that the Marquis was badly in need of a refurb, so that's very good to hear.

Smaxie Profile Photo
Smaxie
#18Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/27/14 at 9:55am

Regarding the Marquis, for a theatre that opened in 1986, I think it's now on its second or third refurbishment. Hard to dress up a catastrophe, I suppose.


Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.

Mr Roxy Profile Photo
Mr Roxy
#19Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/27/14 at 10:22am

The best refurbishment would be a total demolition . Bathrooms located in the theater instead of across the length of the floor would be nice. Whoever designed the theater should be boiled in oil.




Poster Emeritus
Updated On: 4/27/14 at 10:22 AM

Smaxie Profile Photo
Smaxie
#20Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/27/14 at 10:53am

Remember when the Marquis opened and was decorated in a shade of dusky rose, like a group of little old ladies from the the nearest convalescent home had come up with the color palette?


Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.

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Phantom of London
#21Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/27/14 at 3:54pm

The Bathrooms in the Marquis are way too small.

But handy for out of Townes like me, who need a restroom whilst in the Times Square area.

bobs3
#22Theater Refurbishments
Posted: 4/28/14 at 6:12pm

"Remember when the Marquis opened and was decorated in a shade of dusky rose, like a group of little old ladies from the the nearest convalescent home had come up with the color palette?"

When the hotel opened Dusty Rose was the main color scheme for the hotel. Even the napkins and tablecloths in the restaurants and banquet rooms were Dusty Rose as well as the bedspreads in the guest rooms.

I guess when they began decorating the theater they extended that color scheme.

I attended an event in the Marquis Ballroom a few years after the hotel opened and the ballroom walls, interior columns and stage were all covered in Dusty Rose wallpaper and the chairs had Dusty Rose fabric.