Theater History
Winter Garden Theater History
The Winter Garden Theatre, a renowned Broadway venue, has seen a rich history of productions since its opening in 1911. From revues and musicals to iconic performances and legendary shows, this theater has witnessed it all. Let's delve into the theater's history, highlighting key productions along the way:
Early Years and Ziegfeld Era
- The Passing Show, Shubert's response to Ziegfeld's Follies, was a regular feature.
- Numerous Al Jolson musicals graced the stage.
- After Ziegfeld's passing, his Follies editions were presented in 1934, 1936, 1943, and 1947, featuring luminaries like Fanny Brice, Bobby Clark, Bob Hope, Eve Arden, Gypsy Rose Lee, Josephine Baker, and Willie Howard.
Golden Era with Mary Martin and West Side Story (1950s)
- Mary Martin took the lead in Peter Pan in 1954, leaving a lasting mark on the theater.
- The iconic West Side Story premiered in 1957, featuring Chita Rivera, Carol Lawrence, and a creative team including Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Laurents, and Jerome Robbins.
- Hits from the 1960s include The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1960), Funny Girl (1964), and Mame (1966) with Angela Lansbury, further cementing the Winter Garden's reputation.
1970s: A Decade of Diversity and Classics
- The 1970s brought both popular and cutting-edge productions to the Winter Garden.
- Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's Follies (1971) harked back to the theater's roots as a home for follies-type revues.
- Angela Lansbury returned to revive Gypsy (1974), while Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman presented Pacific Overtures (1976).
- Gilda Radner made her Broadway debut with "Gilda Radner — Live from New York" (1979).
- The iconic 42nd Street (1980) made its debut here before moving to the Majestic Theatre.
Andrew Lloyd Webber Takes Center Stage (1980s and Beyond)
- In 1982, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats premiered at the Winter Garden and ran for an astounding 18 years, becoming the second longest-running show in Broadway history.
- Andrew Lloyd Webber's School of Rock (2015-19) continued the Andrew Lloyd Webber tradition of excellence at the Winter Garden Theatre.
Recent Times
- Mamma Mia!, featuring the songs of ABBA, debuted in 2001 and remained until 2013 before transferring to the Broadhurst Theatre.
- After Mamma Mia!, Rocky the Musical (2014), Wolf Hall (2015), and Beetlejuice (2019-20)
- The Music Man (2022-23) featured Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster and set box office records.