Venue: Music Box Theatre Hires 'One Man, Two Guvnors' on Broadway

(photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

The Music Box Theatre was the place of one of the worst Broadway productions I have ever seen. More about that later. This venue is another jewel in the family of Shubert Organization's Broadway theatres. Despite its melodic name, the limited seating capacity has made the theatre more ideal to house plays than musicals. The theatre was built in 1921 for the Music Box Revue from which it takes its name.

After a restoration of the interior a few years ago, both the dignified limestone interior and elegant interior make it one the more beautiful theatres on Broadway. The theatre seats 1009 on two levels. Twin staircases takes visitors from the orchestra level to the lower level lounge, bar and restrooms.

Some of the productions to premiere at the Music Box Theatre include: 'August: Osage County' (2008); 'Blood Brothers' (1993); 'A Few Good Men' (1989); 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses' (1987); 'Agnes of God' (1982); 'Deathtrap' (1978); and 'Sleuth' (1970).

I've seen only three productions at the Music Box: the stage version of Rogers and Hammerstein's film musical 'State Fair' (1996) starring John Davidson and Andrea McArdle; the first Broadway revival of 'Lend Me A Tenor' (2010) starring Justin Bartha, Anthony LaPaglia, Tony Shalhoub and Brooke Adams; and the show which has come to hold a memory of one the most laborious and longest evenings I have ever experienced at a theater, Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' (2000) starring Kelsey Grammer. The show only played 13 performances and 8 previews and included among the cast Diane Venora, Ty Burrell and Michael Gross. The tragedy play was originally slated for the larger Virginia Theatre (now the August Wilson Theatre) but was moved to the Virginia after seats were already sold. I remember ushers almost randomly assigning ticket buyers to seats throughout the theatre with no logic. The show closed while I was still in New York for my vacation that year and remember seeing the remnants of the set sitting in dumpsters outside the theatre the day after it shuttering.

Added to the list of productions the play the Music Box is current tenant and English import 'One Man, Two Guvnors' which I am seeing tonight.

Click HERE for a seating chart and more information about the Music Box Theatre. Official online ticketing is handled through Telecharge.

(photos: TheHopefulTraveler)