George M. Cohan's Theatre was a

Broadway theatre Broadway theatre,Although ''theater'' is generally the spelling for this common noun in the United States (see American and British English spelling differences), 130 of the 144 extant and extinct Broadway venues use (used) the spelling ''Th ...

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

and West 43rd Street in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. It was built in 1911 and demolished in 1938.

History

The theatre was designed by

George Keister George W. Keister (January 10, 1859 - December 27, 1945)"Keister, George," ''Leslie's History of the Greater New York'', vol. 3 (New York: Arkell Publishing Company, 1898): 640. was an American architect. His work includes the Hotel Gerard (189 ...

, and opened on February 13, 1911, starting with

George M. Cohan George Michael Cohan (July 3, 1878November 5, 1942) was an American entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer and theatrical producer. Cohan began his career as a child, performing with his parents and sister in a vaudev ...

's ''Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford'', which moved from the Gaiety Theatre which Cohan also owned. Cohan considered the theatre to be a celebration of his career, with exhibits and murals of his work on display. 1911's ''The Little Millionaire'' was the first hit of the theatre. ''

Potash and Perlmutter ''Potash and Perlmutter'' is a 1923 American silent comedy film directed by Clarence G. Badger. The film is based on an ethnic Jewish comedy with characters created by Montague Glass and Charles Klein for a 1913 Broadway play of the same name ...

'' (1913) was a very big hit. In 1915, Cohan and his partner Sam H. Harris sold the theatre to Joe Leblang, a big discount ticket seller. Leblang had A. L. Erlanger manage the theatre. The theatre started also showing motion pictures by the early 1920s on the weekend, eventually making more money through that source than plays. The 1925 film version of '' Ben Hur'' had a long run. By 1933, the theatre stopped hosting live theatre altogether, the Great Depression affecting Broadway significantly. The entire Fitzgerald Building and the theatre in which it was housed was demolished in late 1938. It is currently the site of 4 Times Square.

Select productions

The below list includes most if not all of the theatre's productions which exceeded 100 performances: * ''Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford'' (opening play, February 13, 1911) * ''The Little Millionaire'' (Sept 1911 – March 1912, 192 perf.) * ''Broadway Jones'' (Sept 1912 – Feb 1913, 176 perf.) * ''

'' (Aug 1913 – Sept 1915, 441 total perf.) * '' It Pays to Advertise'' (Sept 1914 – Aug 1915, 399 total perf.) * ''Pom-pom'' (Feb – June 1916, 128 perf.) * ''

Seven Chances ''Seven Chances'' is a 1925 American silent comedy film directed by and starring Buster Keaton, based on the play of the same name by Roi Cooper Megrue, produced in 1916 by David Belasco. Additional cast members include T. Roy Barnes, Snitz Ed ...

'' (Aug – Dec 1916, 151 perf.) * ''Come Out of the Kitchen'' (Oct 1916 – May 1917, 224 perf.) * ''The King'' (Nov 1917 – Mar 1918, 127 perf.) * ''Head Over Heels'' (Aug 1918 – Nov 1918, 100 perf.) * ''A Prince There Was'' (Dec 1918 – May 1919, 159 perf.) * ''The Hottentot'' (Mar 1920 – Jun 1920, 113 perf.) * ''The Tavern'' (Sept 1920 – May 1921, 252 perf.) * ''

Two Little Girls in Blue ''Two Little Girls in Blue'' is a musical theatre work composed by Paul Lannin and Vincent Youmans, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin (under the pseudonym "Arthur Francis") and a libretto by Fred Jackson. The musical premiered at George M. Cohan's ...

'' (May – Aug 1921, 135 perf.) * ''The Perfect Fool'' (Nov 1921 – July 1922, 275 perf.) * ''The Love Child'' (Nov 1922 – Apr 1923, 167 perf.) * ''Adrienne'' (May 1923 – Dec 1923, 235 perf.) * ''The Haunted House'' (Sept – Dec 1924, 103 perf.) * ''

Desire Under the Elms ''Desire Under the Elms'' is a 1924 play written by Eugene O'Neill. Like ''Mourning Becomes Electra'', ''Desire Under the Elms'' signifies an attempt by O'Neill to adapt plot elements and themes of Greek tragedy to a rural New England setting. ...

'' (July – Sept 1925, a portion of a total NYC run of 420 perf.) * ''The 19th Hole'' (Oct 1927 – Jan 1928, 119 perf.) * ''Rain or Shine'' (Feb – Dec 1928, 356 perf.) * ''Hello, Daddy'' (Dec 1928 – June 1929, 198 perf.) * ''There You Are'' (1932, last legitimate production)

References

External links

* * {{Broadway theatres 1911 establishments in New York City 1938 disestablishments in New York (state) Broadway (Manhattan) Buildings and structures demolished in 1938 Demolished buildings and structures in Manhattan Former Broadway theatres Former theatres in Manhattan George M. Cohan Theater District, Manhattan Theatres completed in 1911