Village East by Angelika

City Cinema’s beautifully restored Village East was once the home of Yiddish theatre in its original auditorium which had 1,252 seats in orchestra & balcony levels. Legend has it that Walter Matthau began his show business career here as a young boy working at the concession counter.

Built in 1925 and opening in 1926, its past is still evident in the Moorish style designs that adorn the outside of the theatre and inside, which are the work of interior designer William Pogany. The ticket lobby has an ornate ceiling and the main lobby that has a concession stand is very ornate, including the ceiling and has Yiddish writing in the decoration. The ornate decorations extend to the exits to the outside, and there are two grand stairways which lead to the balcony of the auditorium where a large Star of David in the domed ceiling further infuse atmosphere into the historic building. By the late-1930’s it was operating as a movie theatre, named Century Theatre (listed as closed in 1941 & 1943). Then reopened as a Yiddish theatre until 1945. By 1950, it had reopened as a movie theatre renamed Stuyvesant Theatre, with a seating capacity for 1,082.

On May 25, 1969 it was operating as the Eden Theatre and presented the ‘Off-Broadway’ premiere of “Oh! Calcutta!” (An Entertainment with Music) which moved to Broadway at the Belacsco Theatre on February 17, 1971 (1,314 performances). In 1971 a short run ‘Off-Broadway’ production of “Grease” was performed here before transferring to Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre where it ran for 9 years (3,388 performances). On November 18, 1981 until January 24, 1982 a pre-Broadway production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” was performed at the then renamed Entermedia Theatre prior to its Broadway transfer to the Royale Theatre where it ran for 747 performances and winning several Tony Awards.

The movie theatre also hosted dance, concerts & movies until it closed as a single auditorium in 1988. It reopened as the Village East Cinema on February 21, 1991 as a 7-screen movie theatre. Today in the basement below the original ornate auditorium and lobby, four screening rooms have been added in what was originally the orchestra seating area. Seating here is provided in Screen 2;187, Screen 3;179, Screen 4;130 and Screen 5;66. A further two screens have been added on the former stage area of the theatre, which are stacked one on top of the other, Screen 6;145 & Screen 7;174. The screen on top has wonderful stadium seating, a decent size screen, and is a very nice theatre in itself, with exposed brickwork and some character. However, it is not as beautiful as the main 440-seat Screen 1 auditorium which is located in the former balcony, with stairs down to a lower floor inserted over the circle void where there are 40 seats. As of 2017 this auditorium has 365 seats.

With New York City’s lack of a still-operating historic movie palace, the Village East is the closest thing around. The theatre is listed on both the State & National Historic Registers and its façade and interior, including the lobby and domed auditorium, are designated New York City Landmarks. In 2015 the historic main auditorium’s magnificent plaster ceiling was restored.

In February 2021 it was renamed Village East by Angelika.

Recent comments (view all 167 comments)

ridethectrain on September 18, 2020 at 4:38 am

Please update, total seats 1183 based on City Cinemas Reserved Seat ticketing system

ridethectrain on February 26, 2021 at 4:52 am

please update theater name Village East by Angelika. Angelika Fil Center just phase ouy City Cinema name is being phased out by Angelika. Reading still owns the theaters

ridethectrain on February 26, 2021 at 11:46 pm

Tenet will be shown Friday in 70MM on March 5. Tickets on sail

Ken Roe on December 2, 2021 at 2:23 pm

A 70mm experience at the Village East at Angelika on 30/11/201 by Howard B. Haas

Ed Solero on December 2, 2021 at 3:14 pm

Nice piece, Howard!

HowardBHaas on June 13, 2022 at 1:45 pm

Thanks, Ed. In March of this year, I returned for the 70mm screening of “Murder on the Nile” and I posted photos in the photo gallery, of this beautiful theater.

Joe Vogel on January 15, 2023 at 5:21 am

Hal: According to this web site, yes, the Village East, then known as the Gayety, did play the role of Minsky’s in that film.

Shawn Charles on January 16, 2023 at 5:32 pm

I was the manager of this venue from 1978-1985. Many plays and concerts during my time there. Best Little Whorehouse, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, etc. Talking heads, Wilson Picket, etc. Also, many films and commercials shot there. The Fan (with Betty BaCall) 3 Dr. Pepper spots (Mickey Rooney) etc.

Many superstitions in theatre, including the ghost light on stage set out overnight for roaming spirits. We set our ghost light for a couple roaming spirits, including Burt. Burt Lahr passed away about halfway through the filming of the “The Night They Raided the Minsky’s” in 1967. Light also set out for Montgomery Clift, who passed in ‘66. He appeared in “The Seagull” on our stage in '56.

NewYorkToursbyGary on October 21, 2024 at 2:55 am

This is where Ou Calcutta! had it’s world premiere, I believe, in 1969. This was obviously right before the move to Broadway, opening at the Belasco Theatre which was originally named coincidentally Stuyvesant.

rivest266 on October 21, 2024 at 7:19 pm

Oh! Calcutta! opened in May 1969. Ad posted.