In 1966, it had a short run as an off-Broadway theatre, showing Isaac Babel’s “Sunset”, Arnold Wesker’s “The Kitchen” (with Rip Torn and Sylvia Miles), and “GI” – after which it became Reeves Teletape Studio, eventually hosting “Sesame Street”. Downstairs is now Staple’s. I was an ASM on “The Kitchen”, and one day while we were hanging lights, an old gentleman in a straw boater walked in and told us he remembered seeing Jimmy Cagney and Rudy Valee on that stage, 30-foot proscenium, runway kind of stage, spiral iron staircase up to the chorus dressing rooms, 60' flies, hemp system in place (and workable). CBS had filled the orchestra with cement to level it for cameras. seats had been removed. Bleachers were put up for Off-B'way shows.
In 1966, it had a short run as an off-Broadway theatre, showing Isaac Babel’s “Sunset”, Arnold Wesker’s “The Kitchen” (with Rip Torn and Sylvia Miles), and “GI” – after which it became Reeves Teletape Studio, eventually hosting “Sesame Street”. Downstairs is now Staple’s. I was an ASM on “The Kitchen”, and one day while we were hanging lights, an old gentleman in a straw boater walked in and told us he remembered seeing Jimmy Cagney and Rudy Valee on that stage, 30-foot proscenium, runway kind of stage, spiral iron staircase up to the chorus dressing rooms, 60' flies, hemp system in place (and workable). CBS had filled the orchestra with cement to level it for cameras. seats had been removed. Bleachers were put up for Off-B'way shows.