At This Theatre: The Hudson

At This Theatre:

The Hudson

When it re-opened in 2017, The Hudson Theatre became one of Broadway's newest old theaters, having been brought back into legitimate service with the starry revival of Sunday in the Park with George. It first opened on October 19, 1903 with a comedy called Cousin Kate. Over the years it played host to such classics as Joseph Kesselring's Arsenic and Old Lace and Lillian Hellman's Toys in the Attic. In addition to Broadway flare, it spent decades as a television studio, and was host to the original The Price is Right hosted by Bill Cullen. As a theater, it closed in 1968, and did not reopen as a Broadway house until 2017. In the 70s, it was an adult movie theater, and in the 80s it was The Savoy Nightclub. During the intervening decades, it lay vacant for a time, was given historic landmark status, and became part of the Millennium Hotel, where it served as a conference center/auditorium.

Now, the Hudson has plays host to new plays and musicals, celebrated musical revivals and star-driven vehicles, including its current tenant, Waiting For Godot, starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter.

Number Of Shows We've Seen There: 4

Head Over Heels, Merrily We Roll Along, Once Upon a Mattress, Sunday in the Park with George

Head Over Heels Going into this new jukebox musical, I had no idea what to really expect. As a teen in the 80s, I was familiar with The Go-Gos biggest hits, of course, but there were many more songs in the show than that. And the production photos didn't look even remotely 80s-style. Intrigued by the production photos and some exciting casting (Peppermint, Rachel York, Andrew Durand and a much talked about new actress named Bonnie Milligan) we just had to see it. It turned out to maybe be my favorite jukebox musical of all! I wish I had gotten to see it again.

Merrily We Roll Along Here's a show that I appreciated more than I enjoyed, which is surprising given that I'm such a huge Sondheim fan, and that I've followed it through decades of rewrites and stagings. On the other hand, I had seen the London version of this production and wasn't all that impressed then, either. I wish it had been as revolutionary and perfect as critics and audiences said it was. For me, the score will always be the best thing about this show - it is one of my all-time favorites. Still, seeing the central performances of Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez and Daniel Radcliffe live and in person was a thrill that I won't soon forget.

Once Upon a Mattress is a classic musical that had long eluded me, so when it announced its Broadway transfer from City Center, I had to get myself to the Hudson! I wasn't disappointed! What a charming piece, with a lovely, clever old school score. The colorful (if spare) production was just as wonderful, with cast full of talent who really understood the assignment. Led by the amazing Sutton Foster, I was completely bowled over by Michael Urie, Ana Gastyer, Will Chase, Nikki Rene Daniels and Brooks Ashmanskas. I totally get why this show is so frequently produced and beloved.

Sunday in the Park with George Until I saw this production, Sunday was another Sondheim show I had always appreciated, but never completely loved. But Jake Gyllenhaal's mesmerizing star-turn as Seurat, and Annaleigh Ashford's bright Dot and devastating Marie and me fall in love with it. It helps that it boasted an all-star supporting cast including several of my favorite performers like Claybourne Elder, Phillip Boykin, Robert Sean Leonard, Erin Davie, Ruthie Ann Miles, Brooks Ashmanskas and David Turner. And it featured, to date, the only Chromolume that lived up to the hype!