Was it a theatre?

[Deena Jones2]

Posted: 2/4/04 at 7:54pm

Does anyone know if the Church of Scientology on 46th Street right next to the Paramount Hotel was once a theatre?

It is being renovated and when I peeked in I saw what looked like the remnants of a balcony.

I can't seem to find anything in my theatre architecture books.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/4/04 at 8:46pm

I need to do some research to see if I can find out if so the name of the theater

[GladysBumps]

Posted: 2/4/04 at 11:48pm

Just ask your Auntie Gladys, cause she's older than dirt and remembers EVERYTHING!

Yes my pet, it was a functioning Off Broadway theatre for quite a few years. I actually saw a play there in my teenage years called "Hey You Lightman" with Alfred Ryder and Madelyn Sherwood. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I believe it was called The Masque or The Mosque. While they never had a smasharoo, they did have a couple of longish runs like "Ballad For Bimshire."

Auntie Gladys, even auditioned on that stage, doing the most God awful version of "Summertime Love" from "Greenwillow," unaccompied, my dear, and just one of the most embarassing moments of her rather tainted career.

HOWEVER, what is really interesting about the place is that it was once an ice rink/nightclub called something like "Sonja Henies Ice Palace," where the 40's movie skating diva would occasionaly appear and often rehearse.

I too passed by the other day and noticed they were doing some sort of renovation in there. I suppose it is too much to wish that it would be a theatre. Probably just another Olive Garden or somesuch to make the tourists from Monkey Cum, Nebraska feel as if they never left their mall.

Air Kisses,
Gladys

[Deena Jones2]

Posted: 2/5/04 at 6:41pm

Thank you so much! I am assuming since I could not find any reference of it in any of my theatre architecture books that it really must have been a small theatre and considered as you say, an off broadway house. Such a lovely building- thanks again!