Inside the TheatreStep Inside Broadway’s Nederlander TheatreInside the Theatre, the photo feature series that documents Broadway’s historic playhouses, continues with the home of Pretty Woman: The Musical.
By
Hannah Vine, Marc J. Franklin
September 05, 2018
Playbill’s photo series Inside the Theatre captures the dazzling architecture and unseen details of the world’s most famous theatres, taking you inside all 41 of the Broadway houses.
The Nederlander Theatre opened as the National in 1921. Financed by theatre agent Walter C. Jordan and designed by William Neil Smith, the National soon became the southernmost Broadway theatre as other nearby venues faced demolition. In 1959 Billy Rose purchased and renamed the theatre for himself and in 1978 the Nederlander Organization purchased and refurbished it, renaming it the Trafalgar. Two years later it was renamed in honor of founder David T. Nederlander.
Currently playing at the theatre is Pretty Woman: The Musical which officially opened August 16. Directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, the contemporary stage adaptation of the popular 1990 romantic comedy stars Samantha Barks as Vivian alongside Andy Karl as Edward.
Flip through photos of the theatre below:
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Step Inside Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre
Step Inside Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre
Inside the Theatre, the photo feature series that documents Broadway’s historic playhouses, continues with the home of Pretty Woman: The Musical.
16 PHOTOS
Nederlander Theatre
Nederlander Theatre auditorium
When it opened, The New York Times reported that the new house cost $950,000 to build, was designed by architect William Neil Smith, and contained 1,200 seats, making it capable of housing both dramatic productions and musicals.
The theatre’s original interior was done in burnished Italian walnut with gold embellishments. “The style is early Renaissance, and the carved figures are of lyric and epic subjects, unobtrusive but attractive, and emerging in the half round from wood like Flemish carvings,” wrote The New York Times.
The theatre debuted with Swords, a play by Sidney Howard which only ran for 36 performances. However, the theatre had a stroke of luck in booking The Cat and the Canary in Februay 1922, a thriller that would become a classic of its genre.
Throughout its history, the theatre has ushered in the Broadway debut of iconic works including Grand Hotel, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and Rent.
The stage has also been the home to performances from legendary actors including Nathan Lane, Patti LuPone, and Christine Ebersole.
While audiences wait for Company to resume performances, revisit the Jacobs Theatre and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show—plus a deep dive into the theatre's history.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show—plus a deep dive into the theatre's history.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show—plus a deep dive into the theatre's history.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show.
