The 48th Street Theatre was a Broadway theatre at 157 West 48th Street in Manhattan. It was built by longtime Broadway producer William A. Brady and designed by architect William Albert Swasey.[1] The venue was also called the Equity 48th Street Theatre (1922–25) and the Windsor Theatre (1937–43).
On April 18, 1926, the theatre featured the professional debut of Martha Graham as an independent dancer and choreographer.[3] Graham and three of her students performed 18 short pieces accompanied by the music of Impressionist composers. Despite poor weather, the evening was a success, which Graham attributed to "curiosity" as people attended to see "a woman who could do her own work".[3][4]
On September 1, 1943, the theatre once again became the 48th Street Theatre. The most successful play in the theatre's history premiered on November 1, 1944: Harvey by Mary Chase and starring Frank Fay, which ran for 1775 performances, won Chase the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and was adapted into a 1950 film starring James Stewart.[1][2] Another success at the theatre was Stalag 17 (1951), which was also made into a successful 1953 film.[1]
On August 23, 1955, a rooftop water tank feeding the fire sprinkler system fell through the reinforced concrete roof, and 10,000 gallons of water caused extensive damage to the interior. Dark since the end of Tea and Sympathy in June, the theatre was closed and the building was demolished later that year.[1][2][9] A parking garage was built on the site, which was later replaced by a Hard Rock Hotel in 2022.[10]
^"News of the Stage: Victor Wolfson Writes Another Play; John C. Wilson Buys It-48th St. Theatre Renamed the Windsor". The New York Times. July 13, 1937. p. 22.