Hidden theatre in the Spirit Store (a PSA and a question)

[JBroadway]

Posted: 8/24/19 at 5:24pm

So the Spirit store in Times Square is already open (never too early to shop for your halloween costume I guess). Last year I happened to pop into the store, and I noticed that the space opens up into the re-purposed remains of an old theatre. You can see the proscenium, the mezzanine, the boxes, some decorative molding etc. - except it's being used as a retail space. I found it fascinating and always meant to look into its history, but I never did. But my curiosity re-ignited today when I happened to be passing by, noticed it was open again, so I took another look at it. 

The PSA part of this is: Go check it out, because it's pretty cool. It's on 42nd Street below Dave & Busters. I know there are others, like the lobby of the AMC theatre, which is also very cool. Also, I've never been to John's Pizzeria, but I've heard it's a similar sort of thing too. 

So the questions are: (1) does anyone know the name/history of this theatre? and (2) what do they use that space for during the year when the Spirit store isn't operating? I've passed by those doors a few times in the past year, and they were always closed and unmarked. 

[morosco]

Posted: 8/24/19 at 5:34pm

 

I think it's the Liberty Theatre.

[morosco]

Posted: 8/24/19 at 5:38pm

Here is a good article on it.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 8/24/19 at 9:24pm

I have been in the space once or twice for events or private parties. As I recall, you entered via 41st. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/24/19 at 9:32pm

For a few weeks they had a "Sleep No More" type show in it playing. I think it use to house the Liberty Diner, so the "backstage" area is where the kitchen was. The Mezz looks very small. But with loading on 41st - you can see the outline of the theater on 41st with where the stage door would be - I'm surprised no one has moved to remake this a legit house. Might be a lot of work, but it's a great location. And great front of house possibilities. 

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 8/24/19 at 11:52pm

I seem to remember hearing once that the way the Hilton Hotel was built has blocked off some of the fire exits, so that it could never get clearance for the occupancy a Broadway theatre would require (500+ patrons plus staff).

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/25/19 at 11:00am

That's unfortunate. Boo. 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 8/25/19 at 11:05am

AEA AGMA SM said: "I seem to remember hearing once that the way the Hilton Hotel was built has blocked off some of the fire exits, so that it could never get clearance for the occupancy a Broadway theatre would require (500+ patrons plus staff)."

I don't think that's exactly right. As I said, I was in there a couple of times. One was for a fundraiser (I think it may have been Broadway for Obama or some such) and the other was something in the nature of an upfront. The first one had a LOT of people. As I recall the stage/backstage were shallow and the balconies steep. It would not surprise me at all that the balconies were not usable (due to egress and maybe other reasons as well), and that without them the remaining seating capacity (as opposed to party capacity) would not be enough for the minimum. Anyway that is my guess as to what was behind what you heard. At grade I think there are sufficient exits.

[singerunlimited]

Posted: 8/25/19 at 11:12am

If anyone happens to go by the store, would you mind taking some pictures? I would love to see what this looks like today.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 8/25/19 at 11:23am

Thanks for the info everybody! Very fascinating! 

@singunlimited, there are some photos in the link that morosco provides (great article, btw!) but here is a photo I snapped when I was in the store last year:

 

Updated On: 8/25/19 at 11:23 AM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/25/19 at 11:34am

Any pictures of its original marquee? 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 8/25/19 at 11:47am

https://www.stumptownblogger.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fthe-liberty-theater-on-broadway.html&psig=AOvVaw1QESto9Ex2-78ThDkZa5sl&ust=1566834341895794

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 8/25/19 at 1:37pm

Untapped Cities also has a fair amount to say (and display) about the Liberty. Funny someone brings it up now, as I was just talking in the "Dream Production" thread about reviving the place.

Updated On: 8/25/19 at 01:37 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/25/19 at 1:54pm

Gorgeous. I guess if they ever had plans to renovate it and restore it, they would have by now, no? 

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 8/25/19 at 2:00pm

This comment on g.d.e.l.g.i's link is from last year, of course, and who knows how long ago that commenter's last visit was before that, but it's definitely an expensive issue to overcome in any talks of a full restoration.

"At my last visit the balcony and gallery levels were accessible only by ladder from the main floor. Even more challenging is that the stage was crippled and truncated in height when the multi-cinema development was built around it."

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 8/25/19 at 2:26pm

I actively want to bring it back, I just don't have the money or support team to do the perfunctory groundwork.