JK's TheatreScene: Re-Naming Broadway Theatres, Part 1 : April's Poll

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Re-Naming Broadway Theatres, Part 1 : April's Poll

NOTE: For some reason, this entire blog would not post as one. Therefore, it will post as three separate blogs. All three will post today, about a half hour apart. Since they all have to do with the poll for April, which starts tomorrow, I thought it best to put up all three at once. TO SEE THEM ALL, CLICK ON "BROADWAY THEATRES" AT THE TOP OF THE BLOG. Enjoy!

With the recent announcement that Henry Miller's Theatre is about to become the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, I got to thinking... what other theatre legends, living or dead, should have a Broadway theatre named after them?

I could think of at least twenty, but pared it down to these nine. One that I didn't include on the list, though he is certainly worthy is Oscar Hammerstein II, but mainly because I think they should have named the Richard Rodgers Theatre the Rodgers and Hammerstein Theatre (with apologies, of course, to Lorenz Hart, frequent collaborator with Mr. Rodgers).

Anyway, here are the first three of the nine I chose, and these are but a few Broadway related facts for each. These will be the choices for April's Poll which will open tomorrow morning. What do you think?

Michael Bennett

Performer: Subways are for Sleeping, Here's Love, Bajour
Choreographer: Company, Coco, Henry, Sweet , Henry, Promises, Promises
Director/Choreographer: Follies, Seesaw (book, too),
Director/Choreographer/Producer: Ballroom, Dreangirls
Biggest Achievement: A Chorus Line - direction, conception, choreography.

Awards:

The Pultizer Prize for Drama (A Chorus Line)
11 Drama Desk nominations, 6 wins
16 Tony Award nominations, 6 wins

Statistics:

The original runs of A Chorus Line (6,137) and Dreamgirls (1,522)

Bob Fosse

Director: Big Deal, Dancin', Chicago, Pippin, Liza, Sweet Charity, Little Me, Redhead
Conception: Sweet Charity, Dancin'
Choreographer: The Pajama Game, Damn Yankees, Redhead, Bells Are Ringing, New Girl in Town, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, Little Me, Sweet Charity, Liza, Pippin, Chicago, Dancin', Big Deal, Fosse
Actor: Pal Joey

Awards:

6 Drama Desk Nominations, 4 wins
20 Tony Award Nominations, 9 wins

Statistics:

The current revival of Chicago is the longest-running revival of a book musical ever, with no signs of stopping. Fosse's book and the choreography "in the style of Fosse" by his muse Ann Reinking are certainly the constants that make the show work regardless of who is the star. Pippin was the first show to advertise and show footage on television. His wife, Gwen Verdon, won four Tony Awards under his direction and choreography.

Jerry Herman

Music and Lyrics: Milk and Honey, Hello, Dolly!, Mame, Dear World, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine, Mack & Mabel, La Cage aux Folles, plus a revue, Jerry's Girls