Inside the TheatreStep Inside Broadway鈥檚 Samuel J. Friedman TheatreOn the anniversary of venue鈥檚 reopening on November 6, 2013, take a tour inside the historic theatre.
By
Hannah Vine, Marc J. Franklin
November 06, 2019
半岛体育鈥檚 photo series, , captures the dazzling architecture and unseen details of the world鈥檚 most famous theatres, taking you inside all 40 of Broadway's currently-operating houses. On the anniversary of venue鈥檚 reopening on November 6, 2013 step inside the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, currently home to The Height of the Storm starring two-time Olivier and Tony winner Jonathan Pryce and three-time Olivier Award winner Eileen Atkins.
The Friedman opened as the Biltmore in 1925, designed by Herbert J. Krapp for Irwin Chanin. The theatre premiered the comedies The Heiress, My Sister Eileen, and Barefoot in the Park, as well as the legendary rock musical Hair in 1968. The empty Biltmore Theatre fell into disrepair in the late 1980s, plagued by vandals, arsonists, and looters. In 2001, Manhattan Theatre Club purchased and fully restored the theatre, and it was renamed after press agent Samuel J. Friedman in 2008.
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Step Inside Broadway鈥檚 Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
Step Inside Broadway鈥檚 Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
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Samuel Friedman Theatre
Built by Chanin Brothers, the theatre, originally named the Biltmore Theatre, opened in 1925 with a production of Owen Davis鈥� farce Easy Come, Easy Go.
Samuel Friedman Theatre box office
Designed by Herbert J. Krapp, the theatre opened with a single balcony, just under a thousand seats, and a color scheme of cerise and brown.
In the 1930鈥檚, the Bitlmore was taken over by the Federal Theatre Project for its Living Newspaper series and then by Warner Brothers as a showcase for the productions of famed producer/playwright/director George Abbott.
In 1952, the theatre was leased to CBS before returning to legitimate house with Harold Prince鈥檚 production of the hit comedy Take Her, She鈥檚 Mine in 1961.
Throughout it鈥檚 early history, the theatre welcomed theatre legends including Lily Tomlin and Robert Redford as well as iconic productions including the Heiress, Hair, and more.
Due to its intimate size and landmark status, the theatre was difficult to book and sell, and in the late 1980s, played it鈥檚 last production of the 20th century, a musical revue called Stardust.
Samuel Friedman Theatre auditorium
Samuel Friedman Theatre auditorium
In 2000, it was announced that the Manhattan Theatre Club would take part in a renovation of the theatre in partnership with the Biltmore Theatre Associates and occupy it, with the theatre becoming MTC鈥檚 new mainstage.
The renovated Biltmore opened officially on November 6, 2003, with Richard Greenberg鈥檚 drama the Violet Hour, where it has since been the home of MTC鈥檚 award-winning productions including Casa Valentina, Jitney, and more.
Susan and Peter J. Solomon Family Lounge
A display of MTC's history can be found in the Susan and Peter J. Solomon Family Lounge
Throughout it's history, MTC has won 23 Tony Awards, most recently Best Revival of a Play for August Wilson's Jitney
Samuel Friedman Theatre
Samuel Friedman Theatre lobby
Mezzaine lobby
Samuel Friedman Theatre lobby
Mezzanine lobby
Photos of previous MTC productions line the mezzanine lounge walls, including a photo of Stockard Channing and Tracy Pollan in Woman in Mind
Premier Circle lounge
The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre is currently home to The Height of the Storm, starring two-time Olivier and Tony winner Jonathan Pryce and three-time Olivier Award winner Eileen Atkins.
