At This Theatre: The Ambassador

There are a few Broadway theaters that have had shows run so long in them, that those shows are the only ones that have played there during many theater-goers' lifetime. Until recently, there was a generation or more who only knew the Majestic as the home of The Phantom of the Opera. Even today, people know the same for the Gershwin (Wicked) and the Minskoff (The Lion King).

Such is the case with The Ambassador Theatre, which has been host to Broadway's longest-running American musical, Chicago, since January 29, 2003. During its run there, a host of established stars from all walks of the entertainment world - from film, TV, music, and, of course, Broadway, have trod the boards here. Many up and coming performers, including future Tony nominees and award-winning dancers got their start here as well.

At This Theatre: The Ambassador

Built in 1921, the Ambassador has been a legitimate theater, a TV studio, a small movie house, and even a radio studio. Its current tenant not withstanding, this house has been a largely unsuccessful one. Many a flop has played here, but it has been the home to the end of runs of some hits, like the original productions of Godspell and Dancin'. Some well-regarded revivals played here, like Ain't Misbehavin', Dreamgirls and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, with Kristin Chenoweth in her Tony-winning turn as Sally Brown. Prior to its current tenant, arguably the most successful show to play here was Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da Funk.

We haven't been inside the Ambassador in some 15 years since we caught Ruthie Henshall and Matthew Settle in the show. Prior to that, I had only been there once before, to see the short-lived musical, A Class Act.

NUMBER OF SHOWS WE'VE SEEN THERE: 2

A Class Act, Chicago

 

A Class Act (March 11, 2001 - June 10, 2001): A musical about the life of one of the writers of my beloved favorite A Chorus Line? There was now way I was missing that! It starred Lonny Price of Merrily We Roll Along fame and another favorite, Randy Graff (Les Miserables, City of Angels) and featured a score filled with Edward Kleban's songs. It was a delight from start to finish, and an artistic, if not financial, success. It spawned one of my all-time favorite show tunes, "Under Separate Cover."

Chicago (January 29, 2003 - present): One of my favorite shows, I had seen this revival at the Shubert, and had to return here to catch the West End star Ruthie Henshall as Roxie Hart. In looking over my Playbills, I found that I actually saw this revival here another time, with Tom Wopat as Billy Flynn. As the show approaches it's 30th Broadway anniversary and no end in sight, it seems likely that we'll probably return to this odd little theater with no lobby.