Beacon Theatre
2124 Broadway,
New York,
NY
10023
2124 Broadway,
New York,
NY
10023
24 people
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Showing 1 - 25 of 159 comments
To answer the question from MarkDHite from 2016. Yes, the organ is still there under the stage extension. Members of the New York Theatre Organ Society have in the past offered our services to bring the organ back to life but the Beacon wants no part of it. I’m just glad they haven’t thrown it into a dumpster.
A segment of the Today show that aired today was shot at this venue featuring an interview with Jerry Seinfeld, who frequently uses the Beacon for stand up comedies. 30 years ago this week, Seinfeld made its debut on NBC and soon became a hit.
I lived at the queens bridge housing project, and frequented the Beacon Theatre for 50 cents. I recall, toys were given out, to the winner of the lucky ticket, after a brief short was played of race of some kind. Good memories.
Next month, the Tribeca Film Festival will include two special screenings at the Beacon Theatre to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Brian De Palma’s “Scarface” (April 19th) and the 25th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List” (April 26th). More details here
The Beacon was originally supposed to be one of theatres in a Roxy movie chain backed by William Fox. I am so glad it has been basically restored to its original condition.
Looking gorgeous on tonight’s Tony Awards…
Is anyone familiar with the current status of the Beacon’s great Wurlitzer organ? Is it playable/actually played. I’ve read that the console has been buried underneath a stage extension since the 2008 renovation. (Not unlike the Beacon’s sister Roxy Theatre’s Kimball. Fortunately, the Beacon’s organ’s pipes speak from chambers above the stage, not below it as at the Roxy.) Thanks.
See my comment on radio city…msg entertainment stock will be a good investment
When I lived in NYC in the 1960s I used to go to the Beacon frequently – it still showed films then. Although a bit run-down, it was still a beautiful film palace, one of the last in the city. It is heartening to learn of its restoration. Alas, too bad about the splendid Broadway Paramount – another beautiful theater converted to offices. Too bad they could not have restored that one also!
It has been the home to the Tony awards for the past 2 years.
The theater also appears in Scorsese’s first feature, WHO’S THAT KNOCKING AT MY DOOR.
Last night I watched “Conan” TWICE (11pm & 1pm), just to drink-in the fabulous stage and double balconies! The lighting and camera shots were superb but I was disappointed NOT to see the beautiful curtains used -as they do so from his L.A. show. Will some please call and put the word in the stage managers ear… I’ll be hopefully watching.
Great looking theater. It looks very much like an old time theater. Great show last night. Even though it is much smaller than Radio City, it was great for the Tony awards.
The 2011 Tony Award Show is coming from the Beacon tonight and it is an awesome theatre..thanks to the television crew for featuring its beauty with their wide angle shots.
oldjoe, I stand by my comment. The United Palace does have a very successful track record over the years of holding successful concerts including a great many sell outs. That said, of course there is no comparison to the Beacon as a concert venue due to its location. Also, lets not forget that the United Palace’s main function is NOT a concert hall. It operates primarily as a church. The Beacon’s sole purpose is as a concert/performance space. As theaters go, the Loews’s 175th is much better than the Beacon and that is great praise as the Beacon is a beautiful theater in its own right, but the Loews……
I got clearview and cablevision mixed up.
Luis – the United Palace is a beautiful theatre, but it is not highly successful as a concert venue, despite the hype. The Allmans cancelled mulitple shows there this year. Another Greg Allman quote from Rolling Stone article. “Last March was a glamorous place and all that, but the location of it was — well, we won’t go into that,“ Gregg Allman said at the press conference. "Somebody told me the cab ride cost more than the ticket.”
The United Palace website has info about one past concert in October and one past concert in November – no upcoming events scheduled. The Beacon has 10 acts booked December according to their website – that is successful. I hope the UP does better in future, I’ve been there and it is stunning.
William – Radio City And Beacon are run by Madision Square Garden, not Clearview. Even when MSG was part of Cablevision and not its own publicly traded company; Clearview had nothing to do with operation of either venue.
Well said Luis, I have not been inside yet for a show. But hope to fix that in the coming year. It might be a location thing or the terms they got from Clearview, since they manage & operate both Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre.
Well Al, you may not know why but obviously many other people do. The United Palace has a highly successful record of concerts. This theater is incredibly accessible via Subway. Who needs a car in Manhattan? While the location doesn’t begin to compare with the Beacon’s, it is by no means horrible. We do agree that this theater is among the most beautiful ever built and we are very lucky to still have it with us.
There is no parking to be had at the United Palace. None.
And have you seen the neighborhood up there?
Skinny little streets to say the least..
That theater was built when it was expected that the neighborhood people would walk to it to see movies.
Worlds' most beautiful theater on the inside, butt-ugly on the outside, and horrible location. Don’t know why anybody would want to hold anything there.
The allman brothers are back at the Beacon in 2011 after a so-so run at the united palace this year
Rolling Stone Quote: “We’re back at home now,” Allman told Rolling Stone last month. “I don’t think they’ll ever put us out again. I think we got some kind of paper that says they won’t do it.”
Does anyone know the “official” reason for dumping the Loew’s 175th for the Beacon?
The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing have announced that the Beacon Theatre will host next years TONY Awards show. Since Radio City is not available for the show.
Registering.
Gala opening ad:
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