The Theater Center
 The Theater Center when it was still named The Snapple Theater Center | |
 | |
| Address | 210 West 50th Street New York City United States |
|---|---|
| Owner | Catherine Russell |
| Type | Off-Broadway |
| Capacity | Jerry Orbach: 199 Anne L. Bernstein: 199 |
| Production | The Fantasticks, Perfect Crime |
| Opened | May 22, 2006 |
| Website | |
| www | |
The Theater Center (known as The Snapple Theater Center until 2016) is an off-Broadway theater on 50th Street in Manhattan, New York City. It has two stages.[1]
History
[edit]The complex was built by actress and producer Catherine Russell in partnership with Snapple, marking Off-Broadway's first such corporate sponsorship.[2] It opened as the Snapple Theater Center on May 22, 2006, with Wendy Kaufman, "the Snapple Lady," ceremonially lighting the marquee.[3] Long-running play Perfect Crime (starring Russell) transferred to the Theater Center upon the facility's opening, and a revival of The Fantasticks was mounted that summer.[4]
In 2007, the space in which The Fantasticks was performed was named in honor of actor Jerry Orbach, who starred as El Gallo in that show's original production in 1960.[5] In 2012, the other space was named for producer Anne L. Bernstein.[6]
In May 2016, the theater dropped "Snapple" from its name and became "The Theater Center".[7][8]
The Fantasticks closed in June 2017.[9][10] Various other productions came to the Jerry Orbach thereafter. In 2021, Perfect Crime was the first live stage production in New York City to receive approval from Actors' Equity to resume performances after theatres were shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11] In January, 2022, thieves stole copper pipes from the building, disabling the plumbing and heating and necessitating the cancellation of twelve performances of Perfect Crime.[12] As of 2023[update], Perfect Crime continues its run in the space.[13]
Facilities
[edit]It is a 20,000-square-foot (1,900 m2) state of the art entertainment center consisting of two theaters with a total seating capacity of 398, rehearsal studios, contemporary lobbies, WiFi, two bars with cabaret-style seating and two merchandise stands. There are two stages, the Anne L. Bernstein Theater and the Jerry Orbach Theater.[14][15]
References
[edit]- ^ "'Friends! The Musical Parody' returning to Off-Broadway". New York Daily News. March 24, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "Catherine Russell | NYU Steinhardt". steinhardt.nyu.edu. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ Strothmann, Ben. "Photos: Snapple Theater Center Opens". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ Robertson, Campbell (May 16, 2006). "It's Time to Remember: 'The Fantasticks' Returns". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (June 18, 2007). "Snapple Theater Center to House Jerry Orbach Theater". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ BWW News Desk. "Photos: Snapple Theater Center's Anne L. Bernstein Theater Naming Dedication". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ "Theater Listings for April 29-May 5". The New York Times. April 28, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "Theater Listings for May 6-12". The New York Times. May 5, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ Shea, Christopher D. (March 21, 2017). "'The Fantasticks' Is Set to Close Off Broadway in June". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ "Long-Running Off-Broadway Musical The Fantasticks Will Close". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (April 17, 2021). "Perfect Crime Resumes Performances Off-Broadway April 17". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ "Real-Life 'Perfect Crime' Halts Off-Broadway Show". NBC New York. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ "Perfect Crime". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ "ANNE L. BERNSTEIN THEATER". The Theater Center. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ "JERRY ORBACH THEATER". The Theater Center. Retrieved April 25, 2023.