Manhattan Theatre

Coordinates: 40°44′57″N 73°59′20″W / 40.74930°N 73.98878°W / 40.74930; -73.98878
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Manhattan Theatre
The Eagle Theatre (center), later the Manhattan Theatre, soon after it was built
Map
General information
LocationManhattan, New York City
Opened1875
Renovated1883–1884, 1898
Demolished1909

The Manhattan Theatre was located at 102 West 33rd Street in

Greeley Square at Sixth Avenue and 33rd Street. The 1,100-seat theatre opened in 1875 as the Eagle Theatre, and was renamed the Standard Theatre in 1878. All but destroyed by a fire in 1883, it was rebuilt in a more modern style and re-opened in December 1884. In 1898, the Standard was refurbished by architect Howard Constable and renamed the Manhattan Theatre.[1] The theatre was demolished in 1909 for the construction of a flagship Gimbels department store, now the Manhattan Mall
.

Early history

Florenz Ziegfeld
's production of The Turtle (1898)

During its first two decades of existence, the theatre played host to many of the finest plays and works of musical theatre of the times, including several of the authorized American premieres of the

Charlie's Aunt
opened at the theatre in 1893.

In 1898,

Lillian Lee
in the role of Mrs. Jennings.

Fiske years

Playbill for Mrs. Fiske's 1902 productions of Little Italy and Divorçons

The Manhattan Theatre became a frequent venue for the theatrical performances of

A.E.W. Mason. Produced at the Manhattan Theatre on September 24, 1901, it starred Mrs. Fiske, J.E. Dodson, Emily Stevens, Max Figman, Frank McCormack, Bessie Harris and Mary Maddern. It was directed by Mrs. Fiske and Max Figman. The New York Times review of the opening said: "The opening of the Manhattan Theatre under the management of Harrison Grey Fiske was effected last night, and a new drama entitled "Miranda of the Balcony" was performed for the first time on any stage. The occasion was one which may possibly prove to be significant. The new manager defines his policy in the programme, and the definition is attractive."[4][5]

Under Harrison Grey Fiske's management (assisted quite regularly by Mrs. Fiske), the Manhattan Theatre enjoyed its most productive years. Starting with Miranda of the Balcony, it produced many great dramas. In Miranda of the Balcony, Emily Stevens had the part of Lady Ethel Mickleham, while Mrs. Fiske played Miranda Warriner, a role for which she was praised for her interpretation of the principal character. In November 1901, the company of Mrs. Fiske staged The Unwelcome Mrs. Hatch at the Manhattan Theatre. The author of the play is either Constance Cary Harrison or David Belasco. The theme of the work has to do with a woman who becomes a social outcast because of marital problems. Emily Stevens played the role of Gladys Lorimer.

In May 1902, Mrs. Fiske put on a revival of

Mary of Magdala in 1904. In that same production, which was written by William Winter, Tyrone Power, Sr. played the role of Judas Iscariot
. Conflicting records claim that this production was staged either in November 1902 or in 1904.

The Manhattan Theatre presented

Hubert Hassard-Short, J.H. Bunny, Sydney Smith, Ida Vernon and Dorothy Donnelly. It was directed by Harrison Grey Fiske, husband of Minnie Maddern Fiske.[5]
The Fiske company managed the Manhattan Theatre for eight years, until 1907, when the theatre switched to vaudeville and motion pictures.

Last years

The Standard Theatre, on a map published in 1890

By 1907, the Manhattan Theatre was no longer in demand as a playhouse, so a new owner, Willaim Gane, switched to showing movies instead. The theatre had just one screen, and to justify a 10-cent admission charge, several acts of vaudeville were added to the programs. This was reportedly the first time that a New York theatre had shown movies as the main attraction. Previously, movies had just been supplements to vaudeville.

In 1909, the Manhattan was demolished to make way for Gimbels department store, a structure that still stands today but has been converted into a shopping mall, Manhattan Mall.

Footnotes

  1. ^ Cinema Treasures - Manhattan Theatre
  2. ^ "BroadwayWorld International Theatre DB".
  3. ^ Brown, Thomas Allston (1903). A history of the New York stage from the first performance in 1732 to 1901. New York: Dodd, Mead and company. p. 246. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  4. ^ "The Manhattan Theatre; Mrs. Fiske in "Miranda of the Balcony" Is Received with Favor", The New York Times, September 25, 1901, p. 8
  5. ^ a b Belknap Playbill and Program Collection

References

External links

40°44′57″N 73°59′20″W / 40.74930°N 73.98878°W / 40.74930; -73.98878