George Abbott Theatre

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152 W. 54th St., New York, NY

Seats (approximate): 1400

Rumored to be named after a six year old boy, it closed just three years after opening. Dark from 1931 to 1934, it reopened as the Adelphi. By 1936, it was used by the Federal Theater Project but was dark again when that disbanded in 1939. In 1940, the Royal Fraternity of Master Metaphysicians reopened it and presented religious entertainments. In 1949, it was a TV studio, hosting "The Honeymooners." Returned to legit use from 1957 to 1970, when it was torn down by the Hilton chain to expand a hotel.

Built: 1928 Demolished: 1970

Theatre Names	Named
George Abbott Theatre	1965 Named for George Abbott, Reopened November 14, 1965
54th Street Theatre	1958 Reopened October 8, 1958
Adelphi Theatre	1944 Renamed April 20, 1944
Yiddish Arts Theatre	1943 Owned by The Family Carnovsky. Opened October 18, 1943
Radiant Center	1940 Renamed December 1940
Adelphi Theatre	1934 Reopened November 27, 1934
Craig Theatre	1928 Opened December 24,1928

Productions

Productions	Production Dates
Gantry Musical, Original Music by Stanley Lebowsky; Book by Peter Bellwood	Feb 14, 1970 - Feb 14, 1970
Buck White Musical, Original Music by Oscar Brown, Jr.; Lyrics by Oscar Brown, Jr.	Dec 02, 1969 - Dec 06, 1969
Golden Rainbow Musical, Original Music by Walter Marks; Book by Ernest Kinoy; Lyrics by Walter Marks	Nov 19, 1968 - Jan 11, 1969
A Time of Snow Special, Original, Dance Music by Ned Rorem, Aaron Copland, Norman Dello Joio, Carlos Surinach, Eugene Lester	May 25, 1968 - 1968
Acrobats of God Special, Original, Dance Music by Ned Rorem, Aaron Copland, Norman Dello Joio, Carlos Surinach, Eugene Lester	May 25, 1968 - 1968
Appalachian Spring Special, Original, Dance Music by Ned Rorem, Aaron Copland, Norman Dello Joio, Carlos Surinach, Eugene Lester	May 25, 1968 - 1968
Cortege of Eagles Special, Original, Dance Music by Ned Rorem, Aaron Copland, Norman Dello Joio, Carlos Surinach, Eugene Lester	May 25, 1968 - 1968
Dancing-Ground Special, Original, Dance Music by Ned Rorem, Aaron Copland, Norman Dello Joio, Carlos Surinach, Eugene Lester	May 25, 1968 - 1968
Darling of the Day Musical, Original Music by Jule Styne; (Uncredited) book by Nunnally Johnson; Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg	Jan 27, 1968 - Feb 24, 1968
The Unknown Soldier and His Wife Play, Original Written by Peter Ustinov	Sep 18, 1967 - Nov 12, 1967
Wait Until Dark Play, Original, Drama Written by Frederick Knott	Oct 03, 1966 - Nov 26, 1966
Any Wednesday Play, Original, Comedy Written by Muriel Resnik	Feb 15, 1966 - Jun 26, 1966
54th Street Theatre
La Grosse Valise Musical, Original Music by Gerard Calvi; Book by Robert Dhéry; Lyrics by Harold J. Rome	Dec 14, 1965 - Dec 18, 1965
What Makes Sammy Run? Musical, Original Music by Ervin M. Drake; Book by Budd Schulberg, Stuart Schulberg; Lyrics by Ervin M. Drake	Feb 27, 1964 - Jun 12, 1965
The Student Gypsy Musical, Original, Comedy Music by Rick Besoyan; Book by Rick Besoyan; Lyrics by Rick Besoyan	Sep 30, 1963 - Oct 12, 1963
Too True to Be Good Play, Revival, Comedy Written by George Bernard Shaw	Mar 12, 1963 - Jun 01, 1963
No Strings Musical, Original Music by Richard Rodgers; Book by Samuel Taylor; Lyrics by Richard Rodgers	Mar 15, 1962 - Sep 29, 1962
Do Re Mi Musical, Original, Comedy Music by Jule Styne; Book by Garson Kanin; Lyrics by Adolph Green, Betty Comden	Dec 25, 1961 - Jan 13, 1962
Kwamina Musical, Original Music by Richard Adler; Book by Robert Alan Aurthur; Lyrics by Richard Adler	Oct 23, 1961 - Nov 18, 1961
13 Daughters Musical, Original Music by Eaton Magoon, Jr.; Book by Eaton Magoon, Jr.; Lyrics by Eaton Magoon, Jr.	Mar 02, 1961 - Mar 25, 1961
Bye Bye Birdie Musical, Original, Comedy Music by Charles Strouse; Book by Michael Stewart; Lyrics by Lee Adams	Oct 24, 1960 - Jan 14, 1961
Martha Graham and her Dance Company Special, Original, Dance Music by Halim El-Dabh	May 04, 1960 - May 07, 1960
Caligula Play, Original Written by Albert Camus	Feb 16, 1960 - Mar 19, 1960
The World of Suzie Wong Play, Original, Drama Written by Paul Osborn	Nov 09, 1959 - Jan 02, 1960
Happy Town Musical, Original, Comedy Music by Gordon Duffy; Lyrics by Harry M. Haldane	Oct 07, 1959 - Oct 10, 1959
Look Homeward, Angel Play, Original, Drama Written by Ketti Frings	Mar 09, 1959 - Apr 04, 1959
God and Kate Murphy Play, Original, Drama Written by Kieran Tunne	Feb 26, 1959 - Mar 07, 1959
The Legend of Lizzie Play, Original, Drama Written by Reginald Lawrence	Feb 09, 1959 - Feb 10, 1959
Drink to Me Only Play, Original, Comedy Written by Abram S. Ginnes, Ira Wallach	Oct 08, 1958 - Dec 13, 1958
Adelphi Theatre
Martha Graham and Company Special, Original, Dance	Mar 1958 - May 1958
Portofino Musical, Original, Comedy Music by Louis Bellson, Will Irwin; Book by Richard Ney; Lyrics by Richard Ney	Feb 21, 1958 - Feb 22, 1958
The Country Wife Play, Revival, Comedy Written by William Wycherley	Nov 27, 1957 - Dec 21, 1957
Damn Yankees Musical, Original, Comedy Music by Richard Adler, Jerry Ross; Book by Douglass Wallop , George Abbott; Lyrics by Richard Adler, Jerry Ross	May 06, 1957 - Oct 12, 1957
Brigadoon Musical, Revival, Comedy Music by Frederick Loewe; Book by Alan Jay Lerner; Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner	Apr 09, 1957 - May 05, 1957
My Romance Musical, Original Music by Sigmund Romberg; Book by Rowland Leigh; Lyrics by Rowland Leigh	Dec 07, 1948 - Jan 08, 1949
Hilarities Musical, Original, Vaudeville Music by Stanley Arnold, Buddy Kaye, Carl Lampl; Written by Howard Harris, Morey Amsterdam, Sidney Zelinka; Lyrics by Stanley Arnold, Buddy Kaye, Carl Lampl	Sep 09, 1948 - Sep 18, 1948
Rosario and Antonio Special, Original, Dance	May 09, 1948 - May 1948
Look, Ma, I'm Dancin'! Musical, Original Music by Hugh Martin; Book by Jerome Lawrence, Robert E. Lee; Lyrics by Hugh Martin	Jan 29, 1948 - Jul 10, 1948
Music in My Heart Musical, Original Music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky; Book by Patsy Ruth Miller; Lyrics by Forman Brown	Oct 02, 1947 - Jan 24, 1948
Street Scene Musical, Original, Drama Music by Kurt Weill; Book by Elmer Rice; Lyrics by Langston Hughes	Jan 09, 1947 - May 17, 1947
Lovely Me Play, Original, Comedy Music by Jeff Bailey, Arthur Siegel; Written by Beatrice Cole, Jacqueline Susann	Dec 25, 1946 - Jan 04, 1947
Three to Make Ready Musical, Original, Revue Music by Morgan Lewis; Sketches by Nancy Hamilton	Oct 28, 1946 - Dec 14, 1946
A Flag Is Born Play, Original Written by Ben Hecht	Oct 07, 1946 - Oct 19, 1946
Around the World Musical, Original, Extravaganza Music by Cole Porter; Lyrics by Cole Porter	May 31, 1946 - Aug 03, 1946
Three to Make Ready Musical, Original, Revue Music by Morgan Lewis; Sketches by Nancy Hamilton	Mar 07, 1946 - May 18, 1946
The Duchess Misbehaves Musical, Original Music by Dr. Frank Black; Book by Gladys Shelley; Lyrics by Gladys Shelley	Feb 13, 1946 - Feb 16, 1946
Nellie Bly Musical, Original Music by James Van Heusen; Based on story by Jack Emmanuel; Book by Joseph Quillan; Lyrics by Johnny Burke	Jan 21, 1946 - Feb 02, 1946
Polonaise Musical, Original Adaptations and Original Numbers by Bronislaw Kaper; Music by Frédéric Chopin; Book by Anthony Veiller, Gottfried Reinhardt; Lyrics by John La Touche	Dec 03, 1945 - Jan 1946
The Girl From Nantucket Musical, Original, Comedy Music by Jacques Belasco; Book by Harold Sherman, Hi Cooper, Paul Stamford; Lyrics by Kay Twomey	Nov 08, 1945 - Nov 17, 1945
Carib Song Musical, Original Music by Baldwin Bergersen; Book by William Archibald; Lyrics by William Archibald	Sep 27, 1945 - Oct 27, 1945
On the Town Musical, Original, Comedy Music by Leonard Bernstein; Book by Adolph Green, Betty Comden; Lyrics by Adolph Green, Betty Comden	Dec 28, 1944 - Jun 02, 1945
Robin Hood Musical, Revival, Operetta Music by Reginald De Koven; Written by Harry B. Smith; Lyrics by Reginald De Koven	Nov 07, 1944 - Nov 18, 1944
Allah Be Praised! Musical, Original, Comedy Music by Don Walker, Baldwin Bergersen; Book by George Marion, Jr.; Lyrics by George Marion, Jr.	Apr 20, 1944 - May 06, 1944
Counterattack Play, Original, Drama Written by Janet Stevenson, Philip Stevenson	Mar 20, 1943 - Apr 17, 1943
Adelphi Theatre
Sing for Your Supper Musical, Original, Revue Music by Ned Lehac, Lee Wainer; Book by Harold Hecht, Charlotte Kent, David Lesan, John La Touche, Turner Bullock; Lyrics by Robert Sour	Apr 24, 1939 - Jun 30, 1939
one third of a nation Special, Original, Sketches Written by Arthur Arent	Jan 17, 1938 - Oct 22, 1938
A Hero Is Born Musical, Original, Extravaganza Written by Theresa Helburn; Lyrics by Agnes Morgan	Oct 01, 1937 - Nov 27, 1937
Swing It Musical, Original, Comedy Music by Eubie Blake, Milton Reddie; Book by Cecil Mack; Lyrics by Cecil Mack, Milton Reddie	Jul 22, 1937 - Sep 01, 1937
The Revolt of the Beavers Play, Original	May 20, 1937 - Jun 19, 1937
The Sun and I Play, Original	Feb 26, 1937 - May 22, 1937
It Can't Happen Here Play, Original, Drama Written by Sinclair Lewis, John C. Moffitt	Oct 26, 1936 - Jan 1937
Macbeth Play, Revival, Tragedy Written by William Shakespeare	Jul 06, 1936 - Jul 1936
The Dance of Death Play, Original Written by W. H. Auden	May 19, 1936 - Jun 06, 1936
Lady Luck Play, Original, Comedy Written by Hyman Adler, R. L. Hill	Apr 15, 1936 - Apr 1936
The Devil of Pei-Ling Play, Original, Melodrama	Feb 20, 1936 - Feb 1936
H.M.S. Pinafore Musical, Revival, Comedy, Operetta Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan; Libretto by W. S. Gilbert	Aug 12, 1935 - Sep 04, 1935
Trial by Jury Musical, Revival, Comedy, Operetta Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan; Libretto by W. S. Gilbert	Aug 12, 1935 - Sep 04, 1935
The Gondoliers Musical, Revival, Operetta Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan; Libretto by W. S. Gilbert	Aug 05, 1935 - Aug 31, 1935
The Yeomen of the Guard Musical, Revival, Operetta Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan; Written by W. S. Gilbert	Jul 29, 1935 - Aug 28, 1935
The Pirates of Penzance Musical, Revival, Operetta Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan; Libretto by W. S. Gilbert	Jul 22, 1935 - Aug 24, 1935
The Mikado Musical, Revival, Operetta Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan; Libretto by W. S. Gilbert	Jul 15, 1935 - Sep 07, 1935
The Emperor's New Clothes Play, Original Written by Charlotte Chorpenning	Jun 02, 1935 - Jul 1935
Alma Mater Musical, Original, Ballet Music by Kay Swift; Written by Edward M.M. Warburg	Mar 01, 1935 - Closing date unknown
Serenade Musical, Original, Ballet Music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky	Mar 01, 1935 - Closing date unknown
Reminiscence Musical, Original, Ballet Music by Godard; Written by Henry Brant	Mar 01, 1935 - Closing date unknown
Dreams Musical, Original, Ballet Music by George Antheil	Mar 01, 1935 - Closing date unknown
Transcendence Musical, Original, Ballet Music by Franz Liszt	Mar 01, 1935 - Closing date unknown
The Lord Blesses the Bishop Play, Original, Comedy Written by Hatcher Hughes	Nov 27, 1934 - Dec 1934
Craig Theatre
Sideshow Play, Original Written by Carl Beitell Smith	May 15, 1931 - May 15, 1931
Technique Play, Original Written by Eunice Burton Armstrong, Henry Stillman	May 14, 1931 - May 14, 1931
If Booth Had Missed Play, Original Written by Arthur Goodman	May 13, 1931 - May 13, 1931
The Mighty Nimrod Play, Original Written by Charles O'Brien Kennedy	May 12, 1931 - May 12, 1931
Paradise Play, Original Written by Pascal Biancardo, Thomas Malloy	May 11, 1931 - May 11, 1931
The Well of Romance Musical, Original, Comedy, Operetta Music by H. Maurice Jacquet; Book by Preston Sturges; Lyrics by Preston Sturges	Nov 07, 1930 - Nov 12, 1930
Jonica Musical, Original, Comedy Music by Joseph Meyer; Book by Dorothy Heyward, Moss Hart; Lyrics by William Moll	Apr 07, 1930 - May 10, 1930
The Town's Woman Play, Original Written by Martin Mooney, Thomson Burtis	Mar 11, 1929 - Mar 1929
Potiphar's Wife Play, Original Written by Edgar C. Middleton	Dec 24, 1928 - Jan 1929