Inside the TheatreStep Inside Broadway’s Samuel J. Friedman TheatreOn the anniversary of venue’s reopening on November 6, 2013, take a tour inside the historic theatre.
By
Hannah Vine, Marc J. Franklin
November 06, 2019
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 40 of Broadway's currently-operating houses. On the anniversary of venue’s reopening on November 6, 2013 step inside the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, currently home to The Height of the Storm starring two-time Olivier and Tony winner Jonathan Pryce and three-time Olivier Award winner Eileen Atkins.
The Friedman opened as the Biltmore in 1925, designed by Herbert J. Krapp for Irwin Chanin. The theatre premiered the comedies The Heiress, My Sister Eileen, and Barefoot in the Park, as well as the legendary rock musical Hair in 1968. The empty Biltmore Theatre fell into disrepair in the late 1980s, plagued by vandals, arsonists, and looters. In 2001, Manhattan Theatre Club purchased and fully restored the theatre, and it was renamed after press agent Samuel J. Friedman in 2008.
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Step Inside Broadway’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
Step Inside Broadway’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
23 PHOTOS
Samuel Friedman Theatre
Built by Chanin Brothers, the theatre, originally named the Biltmore Theatre, opened in 1925 with a production of Owen Davis’ farce Easy Come, Easy Go.
Samuel Friedman Theatre box office
Designed by Herbert J. Krapp, the theatre opened with a single balcony, just under a thousand seats, and a color scheme of cerise and brown.
In the 1930’s, the Bitlmore was taken over by the Federal Theatre Project for its Living Newspaper series and then by Warner Brothers as a showcase for the productions of famed producer/playwright/director George Abbott.
In 1952, the theatre was leased to CBS before returning to legitimate house with Harold Prince’s production of the hit comedy Take Her, She’s Mine in 1961.
Throughout it’s early history, the theatre welcomed theatre legends including Lily Tomlin and Robert Redford as well as iconic productions including the Heiress, Hair, and more.
Due to its intimate size and landmark status, the theatre was difficult to book and sell, and in the late 1980s, played it’s last production of the 20th century, a musical revue called Stardust.
Samuel Friedman Theatre auditorium
Samuel Friedman Theatre auditorium
In 2000, it was announced that the Manhattan Theatre Club would take part in a renovation of the theatre in partnership with the Biltmore Theatre Associates and occupy it, with the theatre becoming MTC’s new mainstage.
The renovated Biltmore opened officially on November 6, 2003, with Richard Greenberg’s drama the Violet Hour, where it has since been the home of MTC’s award-winning productions including Casa Valentina, Jitney, and more.
Susan and Peter J. Solomon Family Lounge
A display of MTC's history can be found in the Susan and Peter J. Solomon Family Lounge
Throughout it's history, MTC has won 23 Tony Awards, most recently Best Revival of a Play for August Wilson's Jitney
Samuel Friedman Theatre
Samuel Friedman Theatre lobby
Mezzaine lobby
Samuel Friedman Theatre lobby
Mezzanine lobby
Photos of previous MTC productions line the mezzanine lounge walls, including a photo of Stockard Channing and Tracy Pollan in Woman in Mind
Premier Circle lounge
The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre is currently home to The Height of the Storm, starring two-time Olivier and Tony winner Jonathan Pryce and three-time Olivier Award winner Eileen Atkins.
