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The Subway Circuit
Back in the day (as they say) The New York Times described Fulton and Flatbush as "a regional attraction to rival Times Square." There at one of the city's major entertainment meccas, the great Albee Theater stood, with the world-famous Paramount nearby.
The mighty Flatbush on Church Avenue, and the Oceana in Brighton Beach, featured live theatre as well as film, as part of "The Subway Circuit." Pre-1950, Broadway shows frequently played the season, and then closed for the Summer. Brooklyn often got shows during the Summer months or after their Broadway runs, sometimes with members of the original cast. Circuit tours developed new audiences and provided affordable tickets to those who couldn't afford 44th Street.
In the 1940s, Brooklyn rooftops began sprouting antennas, and folks started to stay home. The 1950s exodus to the suburbs eliminated more ticket-buyers. The Brandt family owned the Subway Circuit theaters (and others on 42nd Street), and produced the circuit tours. However, by 1951 costs had risen too high and audiences had ebbed too low. The 1950s generation of Brandt theater owners stopped producing plays and musicals, and their theaters began showing (increasingly fleshy) films exclusively, including the 42nd Street houses.
Too bad the Brandts didn't hang on - Broadway is big business nowadays. A ticket to a musical in 1950 cost $7.20 (tops). Adjusted for inflation, that $7.20 ticket should have set you back $58.85 in 2006. Instead, it cost $115. Broadway ticket prices have doubled inflation. In response to (or as a result of) this, the number of new shows has decreased. In 1926-27 (the pinnacle season), 264 shows opened on Broadway. During the 1965-66 season there were 76 new shows. In 2005-06, 39 shows opened. Only 20 of them even lasted until June 1.
In a near miracle, Brighton Beach's Oceana has been de-multiplexed and survives as a Russian nightclub/dinner theatre. The Paramount is now the gym of Long Island University. The Albee was torn down to build a mall, which is conversely being torn down to build a highrise. The Flatbush's stage is a carpet store.
And Broadway theatre, headed the way of opera, has outpriced itself; a museum piece reserved for an elite clientele.
images courtesy of the brooklyn public libarary, brooklyn collection
42nd street image courtesy of 42ndstreetmemories via photobucket.com
The mighty Flatbush on Church Avenue, and the Oceana in Brighton Beach, featured live theatre as well as film, as part of "The Subway Circuit." Pre-1950, Broadway shows frequently played the season, and then closed for the Summer. Brooklyn often got shows during the Summer months or after their Broadway runs, sometimes with members of the original cast. Circuit tours developed new audiences and provided affordable tickets to those who couldn't afford 44th Street.
In the 1940s, Brooklyn rooftops began sprouting antennas, and folks started to stay home. The 1950s exodus to the suburbs eliminated more ticket-buyers. The Brandt family owned the Subway Circuit theaters (and others on 42nd Street), and produced the circuit tours. However, by 1951 costs had risen too high and audiences had ebbed too low. The 1950s generation of Brandt theater owners stopped producing plays and musicals, and their theaters began showing (increasingly fleshy) films exclusively, including the 42nd Street houses.
Too bad the Brandts didn't hang on - Broadway is big business nowadays. A ticket to a musical in 1950 cost $7.20 (tops). Adjusted for inflation, that $7.20 ticket should have set you back $58.85 in 2006. Instead, it cost $115. Broadway ticket prices have doubled inflation. In response to (or as a result of) this, the number of new shows has decreased. In 1926-27 (the pinnacle season), 264 shows opened on Broadway. During the 1965-66 season there were 76 new shows. In 2005-06, 39 shows opened. Only 20 of them even lasted until June 1.
In a near miracle, Brighton Beach's Oceana has been de-multiplexed and survives as a Russian nightclub/dinner theatre. The Paramount is now the gym of Long Island University. The Albee was torn down to build a mall, which is conversely being torn down to build a highrise. The Flatbush's stage is a carpet store.
And Broadway theatre, headed the way of opera, has outpriced itself; a museum piece reserved for an elite clientele.
images courtesy of the brooklyn public libarary, brooklyn collection
42nd street image courtesy of 42ndstreetmemories via photobucket.com
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