Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

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Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
Biltmore Theatre
Biltmore Theatre NYC 2007.jpg
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
Address 261 West 47th Street
New York City
United States
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Owner Manhattan Theatre Club
Type Broadway theatre
Capacity 650
Construction
Architect Herbert J. Krapp
Website
http://www.mtc-nyc.org
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
Built December 7, 1925
Architect Herbert J. Krapp
NRHP Reference # 04001203[1]
Added to NRHP 2004
File:WPA Federal Theater Project in New York-Living Newspaper-"AAA Plowed Under" - NARA - 195706.tif
A crowd of people standing on the sidewalk in front of the theatre (1935)

The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (formerly the Biltmore Theatre) is a Broadway theatre located at 261 West 47th Street in Midtown Manhattan.

History

Designed by architect Herbert J. Krapp for impresario Irwin Chanin, it opened on December 7, 1925, with the play Easy Come Easy Go. With a seating capacity of 903, it was one of Broadway's smaller venues.

The theatre was used by Federal Theatre's Living Newspaper project in the 1930s. CBS leased it for use as a radio and television studio from 1952 until 1961. The producer David Cogan acquired the Biltmore in 1958.[2] In 1968, the groundbreaking rock musical Hair opened at the theatre.

In 1986, Cogan sold the Biltmore to developer Samuel Pfeiffer in 1986.[3] In 1987, a fire struck the Biltmore. The blaze, which was later determined to be an act of arson, destroyed the interior. After the fire, the building sat vacant for fourteen years, suffering more structural damage from water and vandals. Most plans proposed for its future use – such as a showcase for "Best of Broadway" revues – were rejected since its New York City landmark designation required it to operate only as a legitimate Broadway house if renovated. In 1993, the Nederlander Organization and Stewart F. Lane acquired the Biltmore; after being unable to secure a deal with theatre unions, the theatre was sold to developer Joseph Moinian.[4][5]

In 2001, the property became operated by the Manhattan Theatre Club as a permanent home for its productions.[6] Surviving sections of the original theatre were restored by Polshek Partnership Architects (plasterwork restored by EverGreene Architectural Arts), and missing parts were reconstructed. With 622 seats the new Biltmore has about two-thirds of the capacity of the old, although it now boasts modern conveniences such as elevators and meeting rooms. The Biltmore's landmarked features, such as the proscenium arch, dome, staircases and a vaulted second-floor gallery, were restored or replicated.[7]

For the renovation of the Biltmore Theater, under floor air displacement was used. The benefits of this system include energy efficiency, superior indoor air quality, lowest noise levels of all other mechanical systems, and best thermal comfort. Biltmore is the first theater in New York City with under floor air displacement.[citation needed]

The theatre was renamed the "Samuel J. Friedman Theatre" in a dedication ceremony held on September 4, 2008. The new name honors Broadway publicist Samuel J. Friedman.[8] The Manhattan Theatre Club took ownership of the Samuel J. Friedman in October 2008.[9]

Biltmore Theatre in media

In 1983, the Biltmore Theatre can be seen in The Muppets Take Manhattan.

Notable productions

References

Bibliography

  • Lost Broadway Theatres by Nicholas Van Hoogstraten, Princeton Architectural Press (1997) ISBN 1-56898-116-3

Notes

External links

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