Apollo Theatre

223 W. 42nd Street,
New York, NY 10036

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Brandt Theaters

Architects: Eugene DeRosa

Styles: Adam, Neo-Classical, Neo-Georgian

Previous Names: Bryant Theatre, New Apollo Theatre, Academy

Nearby Theaters

1966 Apollo marquee

Originally opened in 1910 as the Bryant Theatre, a vaudeville and movie house, this theatre was acquired ten years later by the Selwyn brothers. The theatre was rebuilt, renamed the Apollo Theatre, and given a new Neo-Classical/Neo-Georgian style colonnaded facade on 42nd Street, which it would share with the Selwyn’s Times Square Theatre next door. The theatres were both designed by architect Eugene DeRosa. The Apollo Theatre could seat 1,197 and was designed in Adam style, with 675 seats on the orchestra level, 495 in the balcony, and 27 in the boxes.

The legitimate era of the Apollo Theatre lasted until 1933, and after being forced into bankruptcy during the Depression, the Apollo Theatre became a burlesque theatre in late-1934, operated by Max Wilner. This lasted until 1938 when films made a return to the Apollo Theatre, and the theatre would remain a grind house for decades until the Brandt Organization made an attempt to bring back live theatre to the Apollo Theatre in 1979, cleaning it up and giving it a new marquee, heralding the New Apollo Theatre. Legitimate theatre would be short-lived, since in 1983, the Apollo Theatre returned to screening movies.

The Apollo’s last incarnation would be as the Academy, a concert hall. For this, the theatre’s orchestra level seats were removed and the floor leveled, though the balcony seating remained intact. The original decor was uniformly covered in a dull white paint.

In 1996, after its days as the Academy ended, most of the Apollo’s architectural elements were removed, including the spectacular dome from the auditorium ceiling, to be reused in the Ford Center for the Performing Arts (later renamed the Hilton Theatre, and in 2011 the Foxwoods Theatre), which would be constructed on the site of the Apollo Theatre and neighboring Lyric Theatre upon their demolition.

Contributed by Cinema Treasures

Recent comments (view all 133 comments)

oknazevad
oknazevad on October 13, 2016 at 6:39 am

True. But a big reason for the ShubertShubert dragging their feet on the new theatre on the 45th–46th plot they own (the site of the former Klaw Theatre) is the aforementioned concerns with oversaturation.

The return of the Hudson to legit use is being spearheaded by the Ambassador Theatre Group (the new owners of the Lyric, and the largest owner of West End theatres), not one of the existing big 3. It’s those companies that have resisted adding more theatres, as it would dilute the value of their existing inventory. Apparently, according to the scuttlebutt, ATG looked at the Times Square as well, but the concerns regarding a lack of off 42nd loading area have made them reluctant, as has been the case with prior interested parties as well. The Liberty (which is in far better shape, and has a loading dock on 41st) looks more likely if they were to try to add a third Broadway theatre.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 9, 2016 at 6:19 am

Late `50’s photo added courtesy of Al Ponte’s Time Machine – New York Facebook page.

rszab0
rszab0 on August 19, 2018 at 6:39 pm

The Apollo theatre was never a Minsky Burlesque. The Minsky’s ran the Republic (New Victory today)The Apollo was operated as a burlesque under Max Wilner and was a burlesque theatre from 1934-1938 Then it was renamed the New Apollo and featured On Golden Pond.

Mike (saps)
Mike (saps) on August 19, 2018 at 8:44 pm

Yeah, and a few pictures played there between its burlesque days and legit incarnations.

Comfortably Cool
Comfortably Cool on August 20, 2018 at 5:12 am

The Apollo ran movies for decades, most notably under Brandt management as a showcase for foreign imports after their first-run engagements elsewhere.

Mike (saps)
Mike (saps) on August 20, 2018 at 7:03 am

I was being sarcastic…

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on February 21, 2019 at 12:27 pm

1959 Apollo and Time Square Theatre photos in below link, celebrating Sidney Poitier’s 92nd birthday.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/20/movies/sidney-poitier-92nd-birthday.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&fbclid=IwAR1dzJgvDymgkRwdI3mhaedxnm4tHNR4gST7eTHyIzsBCxolubTuvNiFo2I

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on February 22, 2019 at 12:20 pm

$100 million redevelopment to neighboring Times Square Theatre, article with photos.

https://untappedcities.com/2019/02/22/photos-inside-the-long-abandoned-times-square-theater-as-it-begins-100-million-redevelopment/?fbclid=IwAR152qGl18192ZaxTNFW2fra2vt76bkNNHKhPmeZlAbBM9cbT6SfFKWambk

vindanpar
vindanpar on October 13, 2021 at 3:57 pm

I assume the ad Gerald De Luca just posted for Gold of Naples is the American cut. I prefer it to the original Italian because it is shorter and tighter. And the ending with Mangano at the door seeking entry is so devastating nothing should come after it. One of the great endings. A great film if you haven’t seen it.

How come there was a time when truly beautiful women could be great actresses?

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca on November 22, 2021 at 3:36 pm

To vindanpar: Yes, the American 4-episode cut was the only version that played commercially in the U.S. In recent decades archives, like MoMA, were able to program the uncut 6-episode version, and it is available on Italian dvd. I don’t have any answer to your query about actresses.

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