Lyric Theatre

==Lyric Theatre== ===History=== The '''Lyric Theatre''' has a storied past that began in 1997 with its opening as the Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Constructed on the site of two historic early 20th-century theaters, the original Lyric and the Apollo, the new venue was designed to retain the architectural grandeur and cultural significance of its antecedents. In accordance with state regulations, efforts were made to preserve, restore, and reconstruct elements from each of the previous theaters. Over the years, the theater underwent several name changes. It was known as the Hilton Theatre and later as the Foxwoods Theatre. In 2013, it was acquired by the Ambassador Theatre Group and officially renamed the Lyric Theatre. The theater underwent a significant transformation in 2018 when it was designated as the permanent residence for the play ''Harry Potter and the Cursed Child''. ===The Original Lyric Theatre=== The original Lyric Theatre, managed by the Shubert Brothers, made its debut on October 12, 1903, with the production of ''Old Heidelberg'' featuring Richard Mansfield. The theater experienced a golden era in the 1920s, primarily due to the success of musical comedies. It hosted some of the era's most prominent Broadway shows, including performances by Fred and Adele Astaire in ''For Goodness Sake'', with music by the Gershwins, and the Marx Brothers in their second Broadway hit ''The Cocoanuts'', with a book by George S. Kaufman and songs by Irving Berlin. Cole Porter also had his first major success at the Lyric with the score for ''Fifty Million Frenchmen'' in 1929. The theater transitioned to a movie house in 1932 and continued to operate until its closure in 1992. ===The Apollo Theatre=== The Apollo Theatre's history began in 1910 when it opened as The Bryant, a venue for both film and vaudeville. In 1920, it was rebuilt by the Selwyn brothers and became the final theater to be constructed on 42nd Street's Times Square block. Renamed the Apollo, it opened on November 11, 1920, with Oscar Hammerstein’s ''Jimmie''. The Apollo enjoyed a series of successful Broadway productions until it closed in 1933. It then served as a Burlesque House and later a movie theater. In 1979, there was an attempt by the Brandt Organization to revive live theater at the Apollo, but it eventually settled into a role as a venue for movies, rock concerts, and cabaret. ==Current Operations== Today, the Lyric Theatre operates as a beacon of the performing arts in New York City, continuing to enrich the cultural landscape with its diverse offerings. The theater's commitment to preserving its historical legacy while fostering contemporary productions makes it an enduring landmark on Broadway.