... as a Broadway house? It's certainly needed, but the church may have locked up ownership. Does anyone walk by there on Sunday mornings to estimate how it's doing in terms of attendance?
Kad said: "Perhaps ATG would go after it now, if the church were to try to move out."
I was just going to ask if they had begun establishing their foothold here in the US the last time the church put out some feelers about potentially selling (I vaguely remember the Cameron Mackintosh info Jay mentioned, but can't recall when that was specifically). If I remember correctly, they didn't really arrive on the scene as landlords here in the US until 2015 or so when they announced that they would be taking control of the Hudson and had acquired ACE Theatrical Group and their venues. Based on their management of the Hudson (I haven't been to the Lyric yet since they've taken it over) I would be more than happy to see them add this one to their list of venues.
But the church is an amazing establishment that is part of an amazing wider system leading to humanitarian outcomes such as banning abortion, persecuting gay people, denying scientific truths and feeding the next American soldiers of God (aka Republican Party members). Why would we ever want to see it repurposed as a Broadway house?
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
My understanding is that the church doesn't want to sell the Hellinger. I mean, where would it move to? Saint Patrick's? There are likely a lot of potential buyers out there for the theater (and its air rights).
Apparently the church, at least, is taking good care of the building. Probably better care than when Nederlander owned it. (Of course, the church also is tax exempt.)
In my opinion the Mark Hellinger is the most beautiful theatre on broadway, with not a bad seat in the house. I’ll never forgive the Nederlanders for selling it
tomwsjr said: "In my opinion the Mark Hellinger is the most beautiful theatre on broadway, with not a bad seat in the house. I’ll never forgive the Nederlanders for selling it"
I totally agree. The last time I was at the theatre, it was depressing because it was so in need of refurbishment. But, what a gorgeous theatre and what a spectacular lobby. There are opera houses that don't have lobbies as beautiful as the Hellinger. Hopefully, it will return to its original purpose at some point.
qolbinau said: "But the church is an amazing establishment that is part of an amazing wider system leading to humanitarian outcomes such as banning abortion, persecuting gay people, denying scientific truths and feeding the next American soldiers of God (aka Republican Party members). Why would we ever want to see it repurposed as a Broadway house?"