Second Stage Theatre

"In Painting Churches, Tina Howe has turned the stage into her canvas. Painting Churches dramatizes the process of art while at the same time stripping the characters down to their true essence and revealing their portraits without paint. Virtuoso acting by an impeccable cast."

Take a look back at Second Stage Theatre's original and renowned plays featuring celebrated artists.

THEATRE

2ST’s new Broadway home, The Helen Hayes Theatre.

HELEN HAYES THEATRE ON BROADWAY

On Thursday, July 16, 2008, Second Stage Theatre announced that it has acquired the right to purchase the historic Helen Hayes Theatre, located at 240 West 44th Street. With this new home, Second Stage will be the only theatre company on Broadway dedicated exclusively to the development and presentation of contemporary American theatrical productions. Second Stage will also become one of only four non-profit theatre companies that own and operate theatres on Broadway. The new theatre will become Second Stage’s third venue in New York.

Second Stage will continue to lease and operate its original theatres on 43rd Street and the Upper West Side. Programming in the Helen Hayes will begin in 2010. Until that time, the current owner will continue to operate the theatre.

When it opened in 1912, the Little Theatre (as it was then known) had only 300 seats and was built as intimate house to present new playwrights and experimental dramas that were deemed too risky to stage in large Broadway theatres. Notable engagement at the Helen Hayes over the years include a five-year run of Albert Innaurato’s Gemini, Harvey Fierstein’s Tony-winner Torch Song Trilogy, Tony-winner The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Dirty Blonde, Golda’s Balcony and many others. Currently home to Xanadu, the venue remains the smallest house on Broadway. In 1987, it was designated as a Landmark Site by the City of New York’s Landmark Preservation Commission.

“Acquiring the Helen Hayes is the natural, yet amazing next step for Second Stage in bringing our mission of presenting innovative American theatre to the heart of Broadway. With this acquisition, we have both the tremendous opportunity and responsibility to help ensure that contemporary American theatre remains a vibrant part of Broadway and, in turn, benefits from the power of Broadway to draw and excite new audiences across the nation.” – Carole Rothman, Artistic Director

“When I joined Second Stage two years ago, one of my main objectives was to find the company a permanent home. Opening our third home in a building which we will own provides a firm foundation for long-term planning and financial stability, which is especially important to the health of a not-for-profit theatre company.” – Ellen Richard, Executive Director

Read the NY Times announcement.

THE THEATRE @ 43RD STREET

Second Stage Theatre's second home opened in April of 1999, marking the twentieth anniversary of the company. This 296-seat, 17,000 square-foot space was designed by renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, in collaboration with New York-based architect Richard Gluckman. A converted historic bank building, the new space tripled Second Stage's audience capacity and significantly increased the production facilities for large-scale shows. Four levels include: a 296-seat theatre with lobby on the second floor; dressing rooms, green room, and rehearsal and production spaces on the third floor; theatrical office space in the penthouse; and entrance foyer and box office at street level. The theatre is fully accessible to visitors with disabilities. The opening of the new facility has enabled the company to further its mission of rediscovering great American plays, while at the same time broadening the range of productions it can present.

Clockwise from top left: Rem Koolhaas and Richard Gluckman presenting the model; under construction; the former vault is now used for ticket sales; the finished Orange Hallway.

THE MCGINN / CAZALE THEATRE

Second Stage's first three seasons were presented in a 99-seat house located in the penthouse of a West Side Hotel. The unorthodox Upper West Side location proved a critical asset in building an audience and a loyal subscriber base, and added a new segment to the theatre-going public. In 1984, when Second Stage built its first permanent home on Broadway at 76th Street - the 108-seat McGinn/Cazale Theatre - it deepened its roots as a fixture of this neighborhood where so little theatre was otherwise available. This McGinn/Cazale Theatre is currently the home of Second Stage Theatre's New Plays Uptown series.

The 108 seat McGinn / Cazale Theartre.