Forrest Theatre
Encyclopedia
The Forrest Theatre is a live theatre venue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
. It is managed by The Shubert Organization
.
The Forrest Theatre was built in 1927. It was designed by architect Herbert J. Krapp
and has a seating capacity of 1,851. It was named after the 19th century actor Edwin Forrest
, who was born in Philadelphia, and owned and lived in the Edwin Forrest House
. The opening performance at the Forrest Theatre was The Red Robe in 1928. A renovation of the theatre was undertaken in 1997, including redecoration and the addition of handicapped-accessible restrooms.
In 1925, Krapp designed a theatre on Broadway
in New York City
that was also named the Forrest. This theatre has been renamed at various times over the years and is currently known as the Eugene O'Neill Theatre
.
Over the years, the Forrest Theatre has been a proving ground for various Broadway plays and musicals, serving as the location for previews
of these productions. Some of the shows that played at the Forrest prior to moving to Broadway include The Music Man (1957), Funny Girl (1963), Golden Rainbow
(1967) and Chicago
(1975).
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. It is managed by The Shubert Organization
The Shubert Organization
The Shubert Organization is a theatrical producing organization and a major owner of legitimate theatres based in Manhattan, New York City. It was founded by the Shubert brothers, Sam S. Shubert, Lee Shubert, and Jacob J. Shubert of Syracuse, New York in the late 19th century in upstate New York,...
.
The Forrest Theatre was built in 1927. It was designed by architect Herbert J. Krapp
Herbert J. Krapp
Herbert J. Krapp was a theatre architect and designer in the early part of the twentieth century.Krapp was an apprentice with the Herts & Tallant firm, where he was involved with designing the plans for the Lyceum, Shubert, Booth, New Amsterdam and Longacre Theatres, among others. He departed the...
and has a seating capacity of 1,851. It was named after the 19th century actor Edwin Forrest
Edwin Forrest
Edwin Forrest was an American actor.-Early life:Forrest was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of Scottish and German descent. His father died and he was brought up by his mother, a German woman of humble origins. He was educated at the common schools in Philadelphia, and early evinced a taste...
, who was born in Philadelphia, and owned and lived in the Edwin Forrest House
Edwin Forrest House
The Edwin Forrest House is a house in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania built in 1853-54 for William Gaul, a wealthy brewer...
. The opening performance at the Forrest Theatre was The Red Robe in 1928. A renovation of the theatre was undertaken in 1997, including redecoration and the addition of handicapped-accessible restrooms.
In 1925, Krapp designed a theatre on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
that was also named the Forrest. This theatre has been renamed at various times over the years and is currently known as the Eugene O'Neill Theatre
Eugene O'Neill Theatre
The Eugene O'Neill Theatre is a Broadway theatre located at 230 West 49th Street in midtown-Manhattan.Designed by architect Herbert J. Krapp, it was built for the Shuberts as part of a theatre-hotel complex named for 19th century tragedian Edwin Forrest...
.
Over the years, the Forrest Theatre has been a proving ground for various Broadway plays and musicals, serving as the location for previews
Preview (theatre)
Previews are a set of public performances of a theatrical presentation that precede its official opening. The purpose of previews is to allow the director and crew to identify problems and opportunities for improvement that weren't found during rehearsals and to make adjustments before critics are...
of these productions. Some of the shows that played at the Forrest prior to moving to Broadway include The Music Man (1957), Funny Girl (1963), Golden Rainbow
Golden Rainbow
Golden Rainbow is the title of a Broadway musical that opened in 1968. It starred Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé for its entire run until it closed in early 1969....
(1967) and Chicago
Chicago (musical)
Chicago is a musical set in Prohibition-era Chicago. The music is by John Kander with lyrics by Fred Ebb and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the "celebrity criminal"...
(1975).