Throughout March of 1982, in often cold and wet conditions, thousands actors and demonstrators gathered at a portable stage in midtown Manhattan in the heart of the theater district. For weeks they shouted and sang and pleaded in front of an empty Morosco Theatre to protest its impending demolition along with other historic venues, which were to be replaced by a huge hotel and theater complex.
Along the way, some of the biggest names of the stage and screen offered their support as well like Tony Randall, Liza Minnelli, Robert Redford, Susan Sarandon, and Christopher Reeve. But one of the biggest voices in this protest was The Public Theater’s founder and producer Joseph Papp, who wanted to stop this destruction and actually preserve these beautiful and historical venues.
In this introductory episode, we’ll learn about the significance of five theaters (the Morosco, Bijou, Astor, Gaiety, and original Helen Hayes) that were all demolished to make way for what would become the Marriott Hotel and Marquis Theatre in what critics have called “The Great Theater Massacre of 1982.”
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Closing Night is a production of WINMI Media with Patrick Oliver Jones as host and executive producer. Dan Delgado is the editor and co-producer, not only for this podcast but also for his own movie podcast called The Industry. Blake Stadnik composed the theme music, and Maria Clara Ribeiro is co-producer.
Much appreciation goes to Joe Rosenberg and Mark Robinson for their insights, Tim Dolan for his support, Robert Armin who captured those street protests back in 1982, as well as the voice talents of our own Dan Delgado and Kate McClanaghan from Actors’ SOUND ADVICE.
Click here for a transcript and full list of resources used in this episode (and there were a lot of them, believe me).
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