Criterion Theatre

Official Broadway League sites:

1514-16 Broadway (44th St.), New York, NY

Seats (approximate): 1700

In 1895, Oscar Hammerstein opened an entertainment complex for which one fifty-cent ticket admitted you to two main auditoriums (Lyric, Music Hall), two small theatres (Concert Hall, Roof Garden), an Oriental cafe, bowling, and billiards. On June 29, 1898, the debt-laden Olympia was auctioned. Charles Frohman leased the Lyric and renamed it the Criterion. In 1914, it showed movies as the Vitagraph, but soon returned to live theatre. In 1935, after another fifteen years as a cinema, it was razed.

Built: 1895 Closed: 1920 Demolished: 1935

Theatre Names	Named
Criterion Theatre	1916 Reopened September 11, 1916
Vitagraph Theatre	1914 Showed movies
Criterion Theatre	1899 Reopened August 29, 1899
Olympia Theatre: Lyric	1895 Opened November 25, 1895

Productions

Productions	Production Dates
The Letter of the Law Play, Original, Drama	Feb 23, 1920 - Jul 1920
Pietro Play, Original, Comedy, Drama Written by Jules Eckert Goodman	Jan 19, 1920 - Mar 1920
One Night in Rome Play, Original, Drama Written by J. Hartley Manners	Dec 02, 1919 - Jun 1920
On the Hiring Line Play, Original, Comedy, Satire Written by Harriet Ford, Harvey J. O'Higgins	Oct 20, 1919 - Dec 1919
Thunder Play, Original, Comedy Written by Peg Franklin	Sep 22, 1919 - Oct 1919
La, La, Lucille Musical, Original, Farce Music by George Gershwin; Lyrics by B.G. DeSylva	Sep 08, 1919 - Oct 11, 1919
Three Wise Fools Play, Original, Comedy Written by Austin Strong	Oct 31, 1918 - Aug 1919
The Awakening Play, Revival Written by Ruth Sawyer	Oct 01, 1918 - Oct 1918
Mr. Barnum Play, Original Written by Harrison Rhodes, Thomas A. Wise	Sep 09, 1918 - Sep 1918
Romeo and Juliet Play, Revival, Tragedy Written by William Shakespeare	Apr 05, 1918 - Closing date unknown
The Merchant of Venice Play, Revival, Comedy Written by William Shakespeare	Apr 05, 1918 - Closing date unknown
The Taming of the Shrew Play, Revival, Comedy Written by William Shakespeare	Apr 05, 1918 - Closing date unknown
Happiness Play, Revival Written by J. Hartley Manners	Dec 31, 1917 - May 1918
Madame Sand Play, Original Written by Philip Moeller	Nov 19, 1917 - Closing date unknown
The Love Drive Play, Original Written by Sydney Rosenfeld	Oct 30, 1917 - Nov 1917
Anthony in Wonderland Play, Original Written by Monckton Hoffe	Oct 23, 1917 - Oct 1917
The Scrap of Paper Play, Original Written by Arthur Somers Roche, Owen Davis	Sep 17, 1917 - Nov 1917
Johnny, Get Your Gun Play, Original Written by Edmund Laurence Burke	Feb 12, 1917 - Jul 1917
Seremonda Play, Original Written by William Lindsey	Jan 01, 1917 - Mar 1917
Major Pendennis Play, Original Written by Langdon Mitchell	Oct 26, 1916 - Mar 1917
Paganini Play, Original	Sep 11, 1916 - Oct 1916
The Melody of Youth Play, Original Written by Brandon Tynan	Apr 10, 1916 - Closing date unknown
Macbeth Play, Revival, Tragedy Written by William Shakespeare	Feb 07, 1916 - Mar 1916
Criterion Theatre
Fool's Bells Play, Original, Comedy Written by A. E. Thomas	Dec 22, 1925 - Dec 1925
Young Wisdom Play, Original, Comedy Written by Rachel Crothers	Jan 05, 1914 - Closing date unknown
The Man Inside Play, Original Written by Roland Burnham Molineux	Nov 11, 1913 - Jan 1914
Indian Summer Play, Original Written by Augustus Thomas	Oct 27, 1913 - Closing date unknown
Who's Who? Play, Original Written by Richard Harding Davis	Sep 11, 1913 - Oct 1913
The Argyle Case Play, Original Written by Harriet Ford, Harvey J. O'Higgins, William J. Burns	Dec 24, 1912 - Jun 1913
Chains Play, Original Written by Porter Emerson Browne	Dec 16, 1912 - Dec 16, 1912
What Ails You? Play, Original Written by Rupert Hughes	Nov 18, 1912 - Dec 1912
Bachelors and Benedicts Play, Original Written by James Montgomery, Jackson D. Hoag	Nov 02, 1912 - Nov 1912
Tantalizing Tommy Musical, Original, Comedy Music by Hugo Felix; Book by Michael Morton, Paul Gavault; Lyrics by Adrian Ross	Oct 01, 1912 - Oct 26, 1912
The Girl from Montmartre Play, Original, Farce, Play with music Music by Henri Bereny; Book by Harry B. Smith, Robert B. Smith; Lyrics by Harry B. Smith, Robert B. Smith	Aug 05, 1912 - Sep 28, 1912
Elevating a Husband Play, Original Written by Clara Lipman, Samuel Shipman	Mar 11, 1912 - May 1912
A Slice of Life Play, Original, Comedy Written by James M. Barrie	Feb 26, 1912 - Mar 1912
Cousin Kate Play, Revival Written by Hubert Henry Davies	Feb 26, 1912 - Mar 1912
Elevating a Husband Play, Original Written by Clara Lipman, Samuel Shipman	Feb 12, 1912 - Closing date unknown
White Magic Play, Original Written by David Graham Phillips, Roi Cooper Megrue	Jan 24, 1912 - Feb 1912
The Grain of Dust Play, Original Written by Louis Evan Shipman	Jan 01, 1912 - Jan 1912
Passers-by Play, Original Written by C. Haddon Chambers	Sep 14, 1911 - Dec 1911
The Girl of My Dreams Musical, Original Music by Karl Hoschna; Book by Wilbur Nesbit	Aug 07, 1911 - Sep 09, 1911
Thais Play, Original Written by Paul Wilstach	Mar 14, 1911 - Apr 1911
The Happiest Night of His Life Play, Original, Comedy Music by Albert Von Tilzer; Book by Sydney Rosenfeld, Junie McCree; Lyrics by Sydney Rosenfeld, Junie McCree	Feb 20, 1911 - Mar 11, 1911
Sire Play, Original Written by Henri Lavedan	Jan 24, 1911 - Feb 1911
Mother Play, Original, Drama Written by Jules Eckert Goodman	Dec 05, 1910 - Closing date unknown
The Commuters Play, Original Written by James Forbes	Aug 15, 1910 - Jan 1911
The Bachelor's Baby Play, Original, Farce Written by Francis Wilson	Dec 27, 1909 - Jun 1910
Israel Play, Original Written by Henri Bernstein	Oct 25, 1909 - Dec 1909
The Outpost Play, Original, Drama Written by J. F. J. Archibald	Oct 11, 1909 - Closing date unknown
The Noble Spaniard Play, Original Written by W. Somerset Maugham	Sep 20, 1909 - Oct 1909
The Flag Lieutenant Play, Original, Comedy Written by Leo Trevor, Major W.P. Drury	Aug 30, 1909 - Sep 1909
The Fair Co-ed Musical, Original, Comedy Music by Gustav Luders; Book by George Ade; Lyrics by George Ade	Apr 26, 1909 - May 29, 1909
An Englishman's Home Play, Original Written by Major Guy Du Maurier	Mar 22, 1909 - Apr 1909
The Richest Girl Play, Original Written by Michael Morton, Paul Gavault	Mar 01, 1909 - Mar 1909
Samson Play, Original Written by Henri Bernstein	Oct 19, 1908 - Mar 1909
Fluffy Ruffles Musical, Original Music by William T. Francis; Book by John J. McNally; Lyrics by Wallace Irwin	Sep 07, 1908 - Oct 17, 1908
Miss Hook of Holland Musical, Original, Comedy Book by Austen Hurgon	Dec 31, 1907 - Apr 11, 1908
The Morals of Marcus Play, Original Written by William J. Locke	Nov 18, 1907 - Dec 1907
The Dairymaids Musical, Original, Farce, Play Music by Paul A. Rubens; Book by Robert Courtneidge; Lyrics by Arthur Wimperis	Aug 26, 1907 - Nov 16, 1907
The Tattooed Man Musical, Original, Comedy, Opera Music by Victor Herbert; Book by A. N. C. Fowler, Harry B. Smith; Lyrics by Harry B. Smith	Feb 18, 1907 - Apr 15, 1907
The Aero Club Play, Original, Comedy Written by Sydney Rosenfeld	Jan 28, 1907 - Feb 1907
The Truth Play, Original, Drama Written by Clyde Fitch	Jan 07, 1907 - Closing date unknown
The Little Cherub Musical, Original, Comedy Music by Ivan Caryll; Book by Owen Hall; Lyrics by Owen Hall	Aug 06, 1906 - Dec 28, 1906
The Little Father of the Wilderness Play, Original, Drama, One Act Written by Austin Strong, Lloyd Osbourne, M. Neal	Apr 23, 1906 - May 1906
The Mountain Climber Play, Original, Farce Written by Austin Strong, Lloyd Osbourne, M. Neal	Apr 23, 1906 - May 1906
The Mountain Climber Play, Original, Farce Written by M. Neal	Mar 05, 1906 - Apr 1906
Alice Sit-by-the-Fire Play, Original, Drama Written by James M. Barrie	Dec 25, 1905 - Mar 1906
Pantaloon Play, Original, One Act Written by James M. Barrie	Dec 25, 1905 - Mar 1906
On the Quiet Play, Revival, Comedy Written by Augustus Thomas	Dec 11, 1905 - Dec 1905
Her Great Match Play, Original, Comedy Written by Clyde Fitch	Sep 04, 1905 - Nov 1905
Jinny, the Carrier Play, Original, Comedy Written by Israel Zangwill	Apr 10, 1905 - Apr 1905
Nancy Stair Play, Original, Drama, Play with music	Mar 15, 1905 - Apr 1905
Cousin Billy Play, Original, Comedy, Farce Written by Clyde Fitch	Jan 02, 1905 - Mar 1905
A Wife Without a Smile Play, Original, Comedy, Satire Written by Arthur Wing Pinero	Dec 19, 1904 - Jan 1905
The Second Fiddle Play, Original, Comedy Written by Gordon Blake	Nov 21, 1904 - Dec 1904
The Rich Mrs. Repton Play, Original Written by R.C. Carton	Nov 16, 1904 - Nov 1904
Business Is Business Play, Original, Comedy, Drama Written by Octave Mirbeau	Sep 19, 1904 - Nov 1904
The Dictator Play, Original, Farce Written by Richard Harding Davis	Aug 24, 1904 - Sep 1904
The Dictator Play, Original, Farce Written by Richard Harding Davis	Apr 04, 1904 - May 30, 1904
Merely Mary Ann Play, Original, Comedy Written by Israel Zangwill	Feb 15, 1904 - Closing date unknown
The Triumph of Love Play, Original, Comedy Written by Martha Morton	Feb 08, 1904 - Feb 08, 1904
The Light That Lies in Woman's Eyes Play, Original, Comedy Written by E. A. Sothern	Jan 25, 1904 - Feb 1904
The Other Girl Play, Original, Comedy Written by Augustus Thomas	Dec 29, 1903 - Closing date unknown
Lord and Lady Algy Play, Revival, Comedy Written by R.C. Carton	Dec 14, 1903 - Dec 1903
Miss Elizabeth's Prisoner Play, Original Written by E. Lyall Swete, Robert Neilson Stephens	Nov 23, 1903 - Dec 1903
The Man from Blankley's Play, Original Written by F. Anstey	Sep 16, 1903 - Nov 1903
A Message from Mars Play, Revival, Drama Written by Richard Ganthony	Mar 30, 1903 - May 1903
The Jewel of Asia Musical, Original, Comedy, Opera Music by Ludwig Englander; Book by Frederic Ranken, Harry B. Smith; Lyrics by Frederic Ranken, Harry B. Smith	Feb 16, 1903 - Apr 11, 1903
The Little Princess Play, Original, Drama Written by Frances Hodgson Burnett	Jan 14, 1903 - Closing date unknown
The Cavalier Play, Original, Drama Written by George Middleton, Paul Kester	Dec 08, 1902 - Feb 1903
Iris Play, Original Written by Arthur Wing Pinero	Sep 23, 1902 - Nov 1902
David Harum Play, Revival, Comedy Written by M. W. Hitchcock, R. Hitchcock	Sep 08, 1902 - Sep 1902
Du Barry Play, Original, Drama Written by David Belasco	Dec 25, 1901 - May 1902
The Helmet of Navarre Play, Original, Drama Written by Lawrence Marston, Bertha Runkle	Dec 02, 1901 - Dec 1901
Prince Charlie Play, Original, One Act Written by Robert Marshall	Oct 22, 1901 - Closing date unknown
A Royal Rival Play, Original, Drama	Aug 26, 1901 - Dec 1901
When Knighthood Was in Flower Play, Original, Romance Written by Paul Kester	Jan 14, 1901 - Jun 1901
The Gay Lord Quex Play, Original, Comedy Written by Arthur Wing Pinero	Nov 12, 1900 - Jan 1901
Zaza Play, Revival	Oct 01, 1900 - Nov 1900
The Pride of Jennico Play, Original Written by Abby Sage Richardson, Grace Livingston Furniss	Sep 03, 1900 - Oct 1900
The Pride of Jennico Play, Original, Romance Written by Abby Sage Richardson	Mar 06, 1900 - Jun 1900
Barbara Frietchie Play, Original Written by Clyde Fitch	Oct 23, 1899 - Jan 1900
The Girl from Maxim's Play, Original, Farce Written by Georges Feydeau	Aug 29, 1899 - Oct 1899
Olympia Theatre: Lyric
Santa Maria Play, Original	1899 - Closing date unknown
War Bubbles Play, Original	1899 - Closing date unknown
La Poupée Play, Original, Comedy, Opera Music by Edmond Audran	Oct 21, 1897 - Nov 03, 1897
The Cat and the Cherub Play, Original, Melodrama Written by Chester Bailey Fernald	Sep 01, 1897 - Closing date unknown
Excelsior, Jr. Play, Original	Nov 25, 1895 - Closing date unknown