Broadway Theaters: A History of Their Productions

This is kind of a sequel to my previous articles on Broadway shows and one that I thought might be not only informative, but kind of unusual. While I was doing some research on my previous articles, I noticed that all the 34 existing, major Broadway theaters have a rich history that needs to be brought to the front. In this article, I intend to do just that. Each entry will have a brief history of the theater and a selection of some of the famous shows that are either currently playing there or have played there. As with all the articles I write, I hope you have fun as well as learn a few new facts along the way. So "Curtain up and light the lights." Let's take a stroll down Broadway.

Al Hirschfield Theater
Built in 1924 and once named the Martin Beck after the man who discovered Houdini. it was renamed for the famous cartoonist in 2002 in honor of his 100^th birthday and a reproduction of his self portrait graces the marcee.. Unfortunately Hirschfield died before it was dedicated but his wife donated many of his original drawings which now hang in the lobby and include not only one of Beck but one of every work that has played here from 1930 to the present..The theater has 1200 seats though it's main attraction are the back stage dressing rooms which can hold up to 200 cast members. Home to many plays over the 80 years of it's existence, only a few musicals have played here. Some of the better known shows that have graced it's stage include "Watch on the Rhine" "My Sister Eileen", "On the Town" "The Crucible", Leonard Bernstein's "Candide", "Sweet Bird of Youth", Into the Woods" and "Man of La Mancha" The theater is currently the home to the Kander and Ebb's (authors of "Cabaret" and "Chicago") last musical "Curtains" starring David Hyde White.