Astor Place Theatre
 Astor Place Theatre in 2009 | |
| Address | 434 Lafayette Street New York City United States |
|---|---|
| Owner | Blue Man Productions |
| Type | Off-Broadway |
| Production | Blue Man Group |
| Opened | January 17, 1968 |
The Astor Place Theatre is an off-Broadway house located at 434 Lafayette Street in the NoHo section of Manhattan. The theater is located in the historic Colonnade Row, originally constructed in 1831 as a series of nine connected buildings, of which only four remain. Though it bears the same name, it was not the site of the Astor Place Riot of 1849.
Designed in Greek Revival style and fronted by imposing marble columns, the buildings served as residences for the Astor and Vanderbilt families, and are among the oldest structures in the city. They were designated as New York City landmarks in 1963.
Bruce Mailman bought the building in 1965.[1] On January 17 1968, the theater opened with Israel Horovitz’s The Indian Wants the Bronx starring newcomer Al Pacino. Since then, it has gained a reputation for introducing works by aspiring and often experimental playwrights, including Tom Eyen (Women Behind Bars, The Dirtiest Show in Town) and John Ford Noonan (A Couple White Chicks Sitting Around Talking). Established writers like Terrence McNally (Bad Habits), A.R. Gurney (The Dining Room, The Perfect Party) and Larry Shue (The Foreigner) also have premiered plays here. The musical revue, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris enjoyed a successful run in 1974.[2]
Since 1991, the theater has served as home to the Blue Man Group, which purchased the theatre in 2001.[3]
References
- Bruce Mailman, 55, Owner of Businesses In the East Village - New York Times - June 12, 1994
- Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris Archived 2010-06-24 at the Wayback Machine at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
- Rosenblum, Constance (2009-11-08). "A Production Called Home". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2014-06-12.