Shubert Theatre (New Haven)

The name Shubert Theatre (New Haven) has been the subject of interest and debate over the years, whether for its impact on society, its relevance in a specific field, or its influence on popular culture. As interest in Shubert Theatre (New Haven) continues to grow, it is essential to understand its importance and role in different aspects of life. In this article, we will explore Shubert Theatre (New Haven) in depth, analyzing its impact, relevance and how it has shaped the world we know. From its origin to its evolution today, Shubert Theatre (New Haven) has played a significant role in various fields, and it is crucial to examine it from different perspectives to appreciate its true scope.

Shubert Theatre
The Shubert
(2024)
Map
Address247 College Street
New Haven, Connecticut
United States
Coordinates41°18′23.5″N 72°55′44.6″W / 41.306528°N 72.929056°W / 41.306528; -72.929056
Owner
OperatorCAPA
Capacity1,600
Current useTheatre and entertainment venue
Construction
Opened1914 (1914)
Closed1978
Reopened1983
ArchitectAlbert Swazey
Website
www.shubert.com

The Shubert Theatre is a 1,600-seat theatre located at 247 College Street in New Haven, Connecticut. It is currently operated as a non-profit organization by the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA).

History

Originally opened in 1914 by The Shubert Organization, it was designed by Albert Swazey, a New York architect and built by the H.E. Murdock Construction Company.

The theater struggled financially in the 1970's and closed in 1976. The theater building was subsequently acquired by the City of New Haven, and the interior was restored. The Adams Hotel, which was located between the historic theater building and College Street, was demolished to build a modern lobby addition. The theatre reopened under city ownership in 1983, operated by the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA).[2]

Notable productions

For decades, the Shubert was used as a tryout venue for plays and musicals that, if successful, would then move on to Broadway — sometimes with an intermediate stop in Boston or Philadelphia.[3] It has hosted more than 600 out-of-town tryouts, including more than 300 world premieres and more than 50 American premieres. In recent decades, however, the Shubert has been more likely to host shows after their Broadway run rather than before.[3]

Plays that fail to make it to Broadway are the origin of the phrase "bombed in New Haven," which inspired the Joseph Heller play We Bombed in New Haven.[4][5]

Notable actors and other performers who played the Shubert include Marlon Brando, Gregory Peck, Henry Fonda, Julie Andrews, the Marx Brothers, Sidney Poitier, Humphrey Bogart, Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart, Clark Gable, Gene Kelly, Robert Redford, Warren Beatty, Shirley MacLaine, Andy Griffith, Jane Fonda, James Earl Jones, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich, Liza Minnelli, Robert Guillaume, John Travolta, Anna Pavlova, Martha Graham, Beverly Sills, Efrem Zimbalist, Mandy Patinkin, Harry Belafonte, Ruby Dee, Ethel Merman, Carol Burnett, Yul Brynner, Zero Mostel, James Garner, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Jessica Tandy, Lee Remick, Nancy Reagan, Mary Martin, Rex Harrison, Julie Harris, Nanette Fabray, Vaslav Nijinsky, Ray Walston, Alfred Drake, Barbara Cook, Celeste Holm, Ezio Pinza, Gertrude Lawrence, John Raitt, Judy Holliday, Lisa Kirk, Sophie Tucker, and William Gaxton.[3][6]

Pre-Broadway engagements at the Shubert:

Notes and references

  1. ^ Arnott, Christopher (December 2014). "The Shubert at 100". Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  2. ^ "History". The Shubert New Haven. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Klein, Alvin (May 6, 1990). "THE VIEW FROM: THE SHUBERT THEATER IN NEW HAVEN; 60 Miles From Broadway, History Trod the Boards". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  4. ^ Scully, Vincent (January 24, 1971). "They bombed in New Haven". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  5. ^ Cavanaugh, Jack (August 19, 1993). "TENNIS; Edberg Is Bombed in New Haven". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  6. ^ "History | Shubert Theatre New Haven". www.shubert.com. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  7. ^ B. H. S. (January 24, 1948). "Have You Seen". Meriden Record. Meriden, Connecticut. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.