Two Pieces of Local Theatre Preservation News

Item One: Coney Island. A couple of weeks ago the Daily News announced a plan by Thor Equities to build a casino and other commercial retail in Coney Island.

Though Thor has behaved rapaciously in the neighborhood in the past, all things remaining the same, I like the idea of casinos and other development in the area. Not such that it would impinge on the existing amusement area, however. According to this recently released rendering (above) their plan would do just that, not only choking the life out of the midway, but dwarfing and isolating Coney Island USA (the tiny building at corner of Surf Ave and West 12th Street, below the Wonder Wheel in this drawing and slightly to the left). Fans and Friends of Coney are up in arms at the prospect and are holding a public meeting tonight to discuss what’s being proposed and what to do about it. The meeting will be tonight (May 29) at 7pm. at St. Paul’s Church, West 5th Street and Neptune Avenue, Coney Island.

Item Two: Meanwhile, our beloved Palace Theatre in Times Square, the Valhalla of Vaudeville and the site of my book launch for No Applause, has re-opened! After a six year renovation project in which the entire building was hoisted 30 feet into the air. The whole thing reportedly came off without a hitch, and the restored and renovated interiors are reported to be beautiful. The inaugural show is a two week residency by Ben Platt (Dear Evan Hansen, The Politician) in the tradition of the many classic ones back in the day, by legends like Judy Garland, Jerry Lewis, Danny Kaye, etc. This one appears to have had a happy ending.