A wealth of historical data about 74 of Manhattan's great theatrical houses. Extensive, detailed captions document location, architects, opening date, other data for the Fifth Avenue Theatre (1873), the Hippodrome (1905), the Music Box Theatre (1921), as well as the New Amsterdam, Winter Garden, Ziegfeld, more. Over 200 photos and illustrations.
| ||||||||||||
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
From Herald Square to Columbus Circle, the potent combination of New York City's soaring population, the introduction of mass transit, and the rise of popular, inexpensive entertainment helped create what is today known around the world as Broadway. Morrison chronicles 74 theaters built between the late 1800s and the 1930s, focusing on the architects and impresarios behind the scenes who set the standards for modern theater architecture and presentation. The profiles are short, informal, and concise, giving key historical facts, architectural details, and notable productions. The copious black-and-white photos are mainly archival, though a few show current interiors. Considering the landmark status of many of the existing interiors and several dazzling recent renovations, a color photo section would have been welcome. Nonetheless, the photographs and text together add up to an informative overview of the changing fortunes of the theater industry. This book is a worthy look at a significant part of New York's history and--with more than 30 playhouses still standing--its importance today. For large architecture and performing arts collections as well as regional libraries.--Kevin Henegan, "Library Journal" Mouilleron, V?ronique Rouchon (text) & Daniel Faure (photogs.). V?zelay: The Great Romanesque Church.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well-written, comprehensive overview of undercovered subject,
By
This review is from: Broadway Theatres: History and Architecture (Paperback)
Ever sat in a Braodway theater and wondered about the history of the place and what shows had played there before? This book tells you. I took it with me on a recent trip to New York and discovered that one of the buildings in which I was doing business (The Hippodrome) was built on the site of the late Hippodrome theatre, where many spectacular productions, including Billy Rose's Jumbo, where staged. Morrison obviously is an expert in both theatrical history and architecture, making his essays on the individual theatres informative and lively. The play is what we go to see, but the house in which it's staged is often critical to a play's success--as Morrison demonstrates on page after page. Broadway Theatres: History and Architecture has made a great addition to my theatrical library.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great photo tour,suffers from omissions, errors & redundancy,
By
This review is from: Broadway Theatres: History and Architecture (Paperback)
This book serves as a great photo album of the many legitimate theatres, which were constructed over the last century in New York. The style of this book is almost identical to Nicholas Van Hoogstraten's LOST BROAWAY THEATRES, which makes me question its necessity (some of the photos are duplicated). However, Morrison's book has some omissions that I feel are inexcusable. Two major theatres are missing: The CENTRAL, Broadway and 47th St and The ASTOR, Broadway and 45th ST, along with several minor ones. Also there are some errors in text such as when Morrison claims the ERLANGER became the ST JAMES in 1951, in fact the name change was decades earlier. Another error occurs when Morrison states the HOLLYWOOD (later HELLINGER) sealed its Broadway entrance in 1934, this actually occurred when the house went "legit" during late 40s. Never mentioned in any of these books is the PICADILLY (later WARNER, where sound movie were introduced in 1926) and COLUMBIA (later MAYFAIR and DEMILLE) Theatres, which started as stage houses but spent most of their existence as movie houses. I do not understand the continued emphasis being placed on NY's Broadway theaters without ever giving the great Times Square movie palaces (ROXY, PARAMOUNT, CAPITOL, etc) their due. Because of their vast size and popularity, the movie palaces, attracted more people to the Times Square area than the legitimate stage can ever hope to. New York's movie palaces were the largest, most expensive and arguably the finest ever built and I feel it's about time their place in Times Square's history is properly acknowledged. BROADWAY THEATRES by William Morrison offers a fine overview of its topic for those who are marginally interested. But for others expecting more insight and accuracy, Morrison's book should only be used as a starting point.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
New York theaters 1873-1932,
By saskatoonguy (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Broadway Theatres: History and Architecture (Paperback)
William Morrison's book covers 74 theaters from 1873 to 1932, including those demolished as well as those still standing. Most theaters get two pages of coverage, consisting mostly of b&w photos of both the exterior and interior. The accompanying text emphasizes noteworthy performances. This book is a nice overview of the topic, although I preferred van Hoogstraten's "Lost Broadway Theaters," which gives more information about the interior layouts, but doesn't cover theaters that are still standing.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
