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[Save the theaters] [related television coverage

Title: [Save the theaters] [videorecording] : [related television coverage, April 8, 18 and 19, 1982].
Publication: New York, 1982.

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Status	Format	Access	Call Number	Item Location
How do I pick up this item and when will it be ready?	Moving image	By appointment only	NCOX 5189	Offsite

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Additional Authors

Description

1 videodisc (DVD) (38 min.) : sd., col.; 4 3/4 in.

Summary

Compilation of television coverage related to the efforts of a group called Save the Theaters to stop the destruction of the Morosco and Helen Hayes theaters in the Broadway district. Focus is on the arrest, trial and followup plans of group members. Also included are in-studio interviews with actors Colleen Dewhurst, and Elizabeth Ashley and Amanda Plummer. They discuss their work as well the destruction of historic theaters. Eleven segments from New York, N.Y., aired April 8, 18 and 19, 1982.

Donor/Sponsor

Gift of the Joseph Papp Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival.

Series Statement

Joseph Papp Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival Moving Image Collection

Alternative Title

New York Shakespeare Festival, The campaign to save the Helen Hayes and Morosco, Part two, followup and trial, April 1982

Subjects

Genre/Form

Television.

Note

This video separated from the New York Shakespeare Festival collection, *T-Mss 1993-028.
Dubbed compilation of segments taped off air.
Title supplied by cataloger.
Segment one: Channel 2 news at five, In person, aired WCBS-TV, Channel 2, 4/8/82. Dave Marash interviews Colleen Dewhurst. "One of the finest actors on the American stage, [Dewhurst] was an active demonstrator against the recent destruction of the Morosco and Helen Hayes theaters." Dewhurst performed in the hit plays Eugene O'Neill's A moon for the misbegotten (1973) and the revival of Edward Albee's Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1976) at the Morosco and Music Box theaters, respectively. Dewhurst discusses her reasons for trying to save the two historic theaters; her experience performing in an older, handcrafted, smaller theater, such as the Morosco, versus a larger, newer theater; and why classic American plays are not regularly produced on the Broadway stage.
Segment two: Good morning New York, aired WABC-TV, Channel 7, 4/8/82. "Elizabeth Ashley and Amanda Plummer explore life among the sisters when they talk about their Broadway play Agnes of God." Ashley discusses the popularity of Catholic- and Christian-themed productions on Broadway; the destruction of small historic theaters in the Broadway district and the physical qualities of these theaters such as the Music Box, in which she and Plummer are currently performing, in comparison with newly constructed theaters; more on the destruction of historic theaters for new development projects and her participation in the recent protest against the demolition of the Morosco Theater; and the role of theater critics and others in determining a production's success. Plummer briefly expresses her views on the destruction of historic theaters. She also discusses her success as an actor, her experience having well-known actors as parents, and her decision to become a performer.
Segment three: Eyewitness news, aired WABC-TV, Channel 7, 4/18/82. "Joseph Papp and other theater personalities are slated to appear in court [tomorrow]." They are among those arrested while protesting the demolition of two theaters in March. Papp is expected to call for a nationally designated historic theater district at that time."
Segment four: News at noon, aired WOR-TV, Channel 9, 4/19/82. "The Morosco is no more and the Helen Hayes theater is just a shell awaiting demolition. The 170 people arrested for protesting the demise of both showhouses on March 22nd appeared in front of Manhattan criminal court today prior to their arraignment for a pep talk from producer Joseph Papp. Among the group was actress Tammy Grimes getting support from Manhattan Borough President Andy Stein." Stein briefly discusses the need to create an historic Broadway theater district.
Segment five: Channel 2 news at five, aired WCBS-TV, Channel 2, 4/19/82. "Having just won a battle the theater people who were opposed to the destruction of the Morosco and Helen Hayes theaters are now ready to expand their war with developers.Today in a Manhattan courtroom actors like Tammy Grimes who participated in the protest and other theater people like Joseph Papp and Michael Moriarty who were all charged with trespassing, saw those charges dropped today. What they would like to see dropped is the destruction of the vintage theaters which they say should be given landmark status to prevent their removal to make room for hotels or similar new projects."
Segment six: Live at five, aired WNBC-TV, Channel 4, 4/19/82. "Some of the brightest stars on Broadway can still boast this evening of having clean police records. They had been charged with trespassing last month when they protested the demolition of the Morosco Theater and the Helen Hayes. They failed in that the theaters were torn down to make room for a hotel, but today the charges against them were dismissed by Judge Bernard J. Fried." Includes brief interview excerpts with protestors Michael Kellen, Michael Moriarty and Colleen Dewhurst. "Despite the failure of that protest the theater people have organized a new campaign to protect the rest of the theaters from developers."
Segment seven: Eyewitness news, aired WABC-TV, Channel 7, 4/19/82. "More than 100 of Broadway's brightest stars and their supporters packed a New York courtroom today, all of them accused of trespassing, but the judge dismissed the charges. Almost 200 of them were arrested while trying to stop the demolition of two old Broadway theaters last month." Includes footage of protestors. "Even though all the charges were dropped [Joseph Papp] the leader of the protestors is still angry about the loss of the theaters." Brief interview with Papp.
Segment eight: Channel 2 news, aired WCBS-TV, Channel 2, 4/19/82. "[A judge] dismissed the charges against the Broadway stars who were arrested last month as they protested the demolition of two historic theaters. . . .Many of those arrested are behind a plan to form a nationally designated theater district." Brief interview excerpts with Michael Moriarty and Colleen Dewhurst at the courthouse. "City officials were busy signing off on an ambitious new Times Square redevelopment plan [which includes] the conversion of nine theaters, including the New Amsterdam, back to legitimate theaters. The Times Square renaissance was conceived by Fred Papert, head of the 42nd Street Development Corporation." Includes brief interview with Papert. "To many theater protectors the plan does not include the [historic] theaters." Brief interview with theatrical producer Joseph Papp who discusses the need to create an historic theater district.
Segment nine: News4 New York, aired WNBC-TV, Channel 4, 4/19/82. "Some of Broadway's biggest stars came away with clean police records after an arraignment in a Manhattan court. They were among the more than 100 people arrested after trespassing in an effort to save. . .the Morosco and Helen Hayes theaters. Among those arrested were Colleen Dewhurst, Tammy Grimes, Richard Gere and many other well-known artists." Brief interviews at courthouse with protestors Michael Moriarty, Collen Dewhurst and Michael Kellen. "Althought the protestors were unable to save the theaters they have launched a new campaign this time to protect Broadway theaters from future development."
Segment ten: Eyewitness news, aired WABC-TV, Channel 7, 4/19/82. "A Manhattan courtroom was crowded with people from the theater. They may have lost the battle to save two theaters but they are not finished fighting." Chee Chee Williams reports that the 130 actors heard the judge read the line they all expected: 'Charges dismissed.'" Brief interviews with Tammy Grimes and Colleen Dewhurst outside the courtroom. "Some at today's arraignment hope to continue the momentum they have begun by saving the Tappan Zee Theater in Nyack, New York." Brief interview with Michael Kellen. "The hope is that the Morosco and Helen Hayes will be the last legitimate theaters demolished to make way for new development."
Segment eleven: Ten o'clock news, aired WNEW-TV, Channel 5, 4/19/82. "A New York City courtroom was jam-packed today. . .Nancy Glass reports that the theater people are still upset that the Morosco and Helen Hayes theaters were torn down. [The judge] said the defendants 'posed no threat to society' and dismissed all charges." Interviews with Michael Moriarty and Colleen Dewhurst at the courthouse. "Many people here today were still thinking about the death of the theaters." Interview with Tammy Grimes. "Theatrical producer Joseph Papp announced the creation of a committee which will work to have all theaters in the area designated as landmarks right now."

Biography (note)

Theatrical producer Joseph Papp was the organizer of an effort begun in 1982 called Saved the Theaters, to stop the destruction of the Morosco and Helen Hayes theaters for the construction of the Portman Hotel. Papp recruited Merle Debusky to organize publicity and enlisted dozens of celebrated actors in his campaign, which he conducted from a suite in the nearby Piccadilly Hotel. On March 4, 1982 the U.S. Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction preventing demolition of the theaters, and a nineteen-day "Save the Morosco and the Helen Hayes Theater Vigil" began. New York Shakespeare Festival staffers erected a stage on 45th Street in front of the Morosco, where on March 4 and 5 excerpts from seven Pulitzer Prize-winning plays that had originated in the theaters were read by actors in a 24-hour performance. On March 19 the state Supreme Court rejected a petition to halt demolition and Papp threatened physically block the demolition of the Morosco. On March 22, Papp led a group of 200 people to a lot to block access to the demolition machinery. The "Morosco 200" were arrested on 45th Street and taken to a local police precinct, amid much media attention. Demoltion began on March 23. On April 20 charges against the group were dropped. Ultimately Papp's intervention had failed to save the theaters. During the next three years the producer spoke with officials and met with city planners about having the Broadway theater zone declared an historic district.

Call Number

NCOX 5189

OCLC

NYPG06-F126

Title

[Save the theaters] [videorecording] : [related television coverage, April 8, 18 and 19, 1982].

Imprint

New York, 1982.

Country of Producing Entity

United States.

Series

Joseph Papp Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival Moving Image Collection

Biography

Theatrical producer Joseph Papp was the organizer of an effort begun in 1982 called Saved the Theaters, to stop the destruction of the Morosco and Helen Hayes theaters for the construction of the Portman Hotel. Papp recruited Merle Debusky to organize publicity and enlisted dozens of celebrated actors in his campaign, which he conducted from a suite in the nearby Piccadilly Hotel. On March 4, 1982 the U.S. Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction preventing demolition of the theaters, and a nineteen-day "Save the Morosco and the Helen Hayes Theater Vigil" began. New York Shakespeare Festival staffers erected a stage on 45th Street in front of the Morosco, where on March 4 and 5 excerpts from seven Pulitzer Prize-winning plays that had originated in the theaters were read by actors in a 24-hour performance. On March 19 the state Supreme Court rejected a petition to halt demolition and Papp threatened physically block the demolition of the Morosco. On March 22, Papp led a group of 200 people to a lot to block access to the demolition machinery. The "Morosco 200" were arrested on 45th Street and taken to a local police precinct, amid much media attention. Demoltion began on March 23. On April 20 charges against the group were dropped. Ultimately Papp's intervention had failed to save the theaters. During the next three years the producer spoke with officials and met with city planners about having the Broadway theater zone declared an historic district.

Added Author

Dewhurst, Colleen, interviewee.

Ashley, Elizabeth, 1939- interviewee.

Plummer, Amanda, interviewee.

Papp, Joseph, interviewee.

Grimes, Tammy, interviewee.

Kellen, Michael, interviewee.

Moriarty, Michael, 1941- interviewee.

Stein, Andrew J., interviewee.

Papert, Frederick, 1926- interviewee.

New York Shakespeare Festival Public Theater.

WBCS-TV (Television station : New York, N.Y.) producer.

WABC-TV (Television station : New York, N.Y.) producer.

WNBC-TV (Television station : New York, N.Y.), producer.

WWOR-TV (Television station : New York, N.Y.) producer.

Research Call Number

NCOX 5189

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