Jones Beach Theatre
Susan
Jones Beach Theatre? Any names that we would recognize today? I
remember seeing John Cullum and Constance Towers in the "King and I",
JC as Billy Bigelow in "Carousel", and Lucie Arnaz in "Annie Get Your
Gun" - just to name a few. I was a verrrry young child, but to this
day, John Cullum is one of my favorite actors.
Suse
Steve Newport
Beach Cast Album. A NIGHT IN VENICE with Enzo Stuarti. (Or was he still
Larry Laurence then?)
Jones Beach Theatre
Group: rec.arts.theatre.musicals Date: Wed, Jun 4, 2003, 10:16pm (EDT-3)
From: florind...@yahoo.com (Susan) Does anybody remember the
Beb11572
that happened - I believe the album with her is a studio recording that was
done in the 40's.
There was also Lauritz Melchior in ARABIAN NIGHTS (a Jones Beach original);
Gene Nelson, Jane Kean and Jules Munshin in HIT THE DECK; Andy Devine in SHOW
BOAT; Arthur Treacher and William Gaxton in PARADISE ISLAND (another
original); Fritz Weaver, Elaine Malbin and Dom DeLuise in AROUND THE WORLD IN
EIGHTY DAYS (yet another); Joel Grey and Louis Armstrong in MARDI GRAS (and
still another); Jerome Hines and Nancy Dussault in SOUTH PACIFIC; Constance
Towers, Earl Wrightson and Lois Hunt in THE SOUND OF MUSIC ...
Beb11572
>Jones Beach Theatre?
I certainly do. One of the highlights of my childhood.
Unfortunately, after Lombardo's death and the theatre changing hands several
times, it was bought by rock concert promoters ... and goodbye, musicals. As
if that weren't outrageous enough (the state didn't give a shit anymore), the
same outfit (Delsener-Slater Productions) then acquired the Westbury Music Fair
and did the same thing, thereby single-handedly virtually erasing professional
musical theatre from Long Island.
There is a special place in hell earmarked for these people, I am sure ...
Parterrebox
"The state" is supposed to make a value judgement and suppress free commerce
based on *your* taste in popular entertainment?
Steve Newport
remember Jose Ferrer touring in a stock ATWIED.
Re: Jones Beach Theatre
Group: rec.arts.theatre.musicals Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2003, 3:00pm (EDT+4)
From: beb1...@aol.com (Beb11572)
DAYS (yet another original)...
Steve Newport
Re: Jones Beach Theatre
Group: rec.arts.theatre.musicals Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2003, 3:04pm (EDT+4)
From: beb1...@aol.com (Beb11572)
Unfortunately, after Lombardo's death and the theatre changing hands
several times, it was bought by rock concert promoters ... and goodbye,
musicals. As if that weren't outrageous enough (the state didn't give a
shit anymore), the same outfit (Delsener-Slater Productions) then
acquired the Westbury Music Fair and did the same thing, thereby
single-handedly virtually erasing professional musical theatre from Long
Island. There is a special place in hell earmarked for these people, I
am sure ...
Steve Newport
side, Florida cable TV just got a show-tune station.
Re: Jones Beach Theatre
Group: rec.arts.theatre.musicals Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2003, 3:49pm (EDT+4)
From: parte...@aol.com (Parterrebox)
(to Beb) "The state" is supposed to make a value judgement and suppress
free commerce based on *your* taste in popular entertainment?
Noel Katz
>based on *your* taste in popular entertainment?
Nobody suggested the state should suppress free commerce; that's just silly.
I pay taxes in New York state and they are exceedingly high. However, if New
York wants to take a dime or two of what I give them and help out with the
presentation of musicals in a public park, I'd consider my tax money well
spent.
Just my 20 cents.
Area 51 - the musical! http://hometown.aol.com/mprovizr/Index.html
Parterrebox
out with the presentation of musicals in a public park, I'd consider my tax
money well
spent.
We're totally in agreement here. But somebody has to produce those musicals,
and the audience has to come from somewhere. Apparently the new generation of
Jones Beach audience preferred rock to musical theater, and the bottom line was
that rock made money and musical theater didn't.
Or maybe I'm wrong. But it does seem that "Beb" was treating this as some kind
of vast conspiracy to squelch musical comedy in favor of heavy metal. That, to
me, seems most unlikely.
Steve Newport
as Mel Brooks might say-- "The Search For *More* Money.") Same thing
happened with the Music Fairs. The venues risked and lost their *loyal*
MT base-- and are gone.
Re: Jones Beach Theatre
Group: rec.arts.theatre.musicals Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2003, 8:10pm (EDT+4)
From: parte...@aol.com (Parterrebox)
Apparently the new generation of Jones Beach audience preferred rock to
musical theater, and the bottom line was that rock made money and
musical theater didn't.
buzz hauser
So....to bring this thread full circle....is the JB Theatre still
standing? Was it demolished at some point? I grew up in NYC and
never went there. Don't know why. Getting on the 'A' train and going
to Times Square with $ 5 in my pocket was easier!
Buzz
(yes...$ 5. I usually got balcony or standing room with enough left
over for a souvenir program.....Those Were The Days....)
****
Peri Schacknow
is definitely still standing. It's now known as (gag) the "Tommy Hilfiger at
Jones Beach Theater," and offerings consist of pop/rock concerts during the
summer season.
~ Peri (who happily saw The Sound of Music and South Pacific at the original,
unsponsored venue many many moons ago...)
Robert Steinberg
>Getting on the 'A' train and going to Times Square with $ 5 in my
>pocket was easier!
Much easier...IRT #7 and I was on B'way in 40 minutes or less. I was at
JB once or twice but not to the theater.
> (yes...$ 5. .....Those Were The Days....)
Yes, they were. My favorite was Lincoln Center an hour before anything
had $1 student tix.
--
Robert Steinberg
MidiOpera Co.
http://bellsouthpwp.net/m/i/midiopra/
Steve Newport
Saturday at 5-- $3, 2, 1. On top of that-- a season discount! (Souvenir
programs $1.) New star package-- with some recognizable Broadway names
in supporting roles-- every week! Of course I bought the expensive
seats. BFS. Although I used to take off from school (not to worry, an
honor student-- third in my class of over 200) to save money on Philly
shows by seeing Wednesday matinees. $5 for Merman in AGYG, I think $3.40
for Angela in MAME.
Re: Jones Beach Theatre
Group: rec.arts.theatre.musicals Date: Fri, Jun 6, 2003, 7:06am (EDT-3)
From: actor1...@yahoo.com (buzz hauser)
So....to bring this thread full circle....is the JB Theatre still
standing? Was it demolished at some point? I grew up in NYC and never
went there. Don't know why. Getting on the 'A' train and going to Times
Square with $ 5 in my pocket was easier! Yes...$ 5. I usually got
Beb11572
So unlikely, in fact, that that's not what I said or implied at all. I put the
issue squarely at the feet of the conglomerate, DelsenerSlater. Go back and
read it again.
Beb11572
>
>"The state" is supposed to make a value judgement and suppress free commerce
>based on *your* taste in popular entertainment?
Since you obviously have no knowledge whatsoever of this theatre's history, and
therefore not a clue as to the relevance of my reference to "The state," how
about getting a little background first before deciding that a snotty little
wisecrack like this is in order?
parterre box
Beb11572 wrote
Susan
I agree, Beb. Jones Beach was my introduction to musical theatre, a
passion that still runs very deep today. It became an annual family
tradition for us - we used to go with all of my cousins every summer.
The JBT provided a less formal atmosphere for parents who wanted their
children to be able to enjoy musical theatre - after all, it was just
Jones Beach, and not "a fancy Broadway house" (although the Jones
Beach productions had the talent of "a fancy Broadway house"). Also,
it was affordable (but then again, so was Broadway back then ;-P) and
fun. I was very young when we first started to go, and I highly doubt
that my parents would have schlepped two toddlers to NYC bc it just
wouldn't have been appropriate. It is so sad that the arts have lost
so much support over the years. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy good loud
rock music on occasion, and am guilty of attending some of those Jones
Beach concerts , but I do miss those musical theatre productions of
yesteryear.
Suse
a reader
>
> There is a special place in hell earmarked for these people, I am sure ...
Yes, I too fondly remember ARABIAN NIGHTS and the gondolas of A NIGHT IN
VENICE . They are sharing that spot in hell with the O'Malleys - all of
them.
Richard Wall
out and conduct the shows. There was a lagoon in front of the stage,
right?
Steve Newport
Re: Jones Beach Theatre
Group: rec.arts.theatre.musicals Date: Fri, Jun 6, 2003, 9:56pm (EDT+4)
From: parte...@aol.com (parterre box)
Steve Newport
Stock Tent Circuit. (Attracting patrons who then thought THE FANTASTICKS
was also a "group.")
Re: Jones Beach Theatre
Group: rec.arts.theatre.musicals Date: Sat, Jun 7, 2003, 2:00am (EDT+4)
From: x...@abc.com (a reader) Yes, I too fondly remember ARABIAN NIGHTS
and the gondolas of A NIGHT IN VENICE . They are sharing that spot in
hell with the O'Malleys - all of them.
a reader
"Richard Wall" <rcw...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:3EE15865...@mindspring.com...
> I remember that Guy Lombardo used to drive up in a motor launch, get
> out and conduct the shows. There was a lagoon in front of the stage,
> right?
>
That's the way I remember it. The lagoon was where the gondolas from ANIV
floated.
Steve Newport
than that. (IIRC it's Columbia Stereo.) Have to check.
Re: Jones Beach Theatre
Group: rec.arts.theatre.musicals Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2003, 3:00pm (EDT+4)
From: beb1...@aol.com (Beb11572)
Are you sure Kitty Carlisle was in SONG OF NORWAY at Jones Beach? I
believe the album with her is a studio recording that was done in the
40's.
Beb11572
to DelsenerSlater. The Jones Beach Theatre had been a state-commissioned,
owned and operated facility prior to that. It was for decades under the
umbrella of the New York State Parkway Authority and its president, Robert
Moses. It was Moses who commissioned Guy Lombardo to produce those legendary
shows, and Lombardo worked in close association with Moses and his predecessors
during his 25-year tenure. So the State always had a very active hand in the
theatre's operation. After Lombardo's death in 1977, for some reason the Long
Island State Park and Recreation Commission took over the "custody," so to
speak, from the Parkway Authority. But after a few years, they too gave it up
and sold the JBT to the highest bidder. Which, unfortunately for theatre fans,
was the rock outfit DelsenerSlater.
Peri Schacknow
until it was eventually covered over for more seats.
The venue is actually a very nice one for concerts, although it is a shame that
there is no longer a musical theater presence there.
~ Peri
Beb11572
>well,
>until it was eventually covered over for more seats.
>
>The venue is actually a very nice one for concerts
"What a waste, what a waste..."
parterre box
Beb11572 wrote
> After Lombardo's death in 1977, for some reason the Long Island State Park
and Recreation Commission took over the "custody,"
Something to do with the galloping recession of the time, in particular in
the New York area? Any information available on profit/loss of the Guy
Lombardo shows?
Or is the fact that this personally inconveniences you enough to gloss over
such minor points?
Beb11572
>
>> After Lombardo's death in 1977, for some reason the Long Island State Park
>and Recreation Commission took over the "custody,"
>
>Something to do with the galloping recession of the time, in particular in
>the New York area?
I told you what I know. Anything else is conjecture.
Any information available on profit/loss of the Guy
>Lombardo shows?
If you're interested in finding out, try a Google search.
>Or is the fact that this personally inconveniences you enough to gloss over
>such minor points?
" ... was it something I said?"
parterre box
Beb11572 wrote
>I told you what I know. Anything else is conjecture.
You implied there was at least some kind of gross negligence afoot. My
"conjecture" is that the Jones Beach Theatre was losing money (at those
prices, how could they not?) in a time when there wasn't much "state" money
around to cover the deficit. So it's not about culture war mistreatment
treatment of musical theater fans at the hands of rock promoters; rather,
it's about money.
A pity and a shame to see any live theater close down -- particularly one so
unusual and (apparently) delightful as Jones Beach. But money is money,
that's the American way.
Steve Newport
Re: Jones Beach Theatre
Group: rec.arts.theatre.musicals Date: Sat, Jun 7, 2003, 4:32pm (EDT+4)
From: parte...@aol.com (parterre box)
Or is the fact that this personally inconveniences you enough to gloss
over such minor points?
Beb11572
>Not inconvenience. Theft.
>
>Re: Jones Beach Theatre
>
>Group: rec.arts.theatre.musicals Date: Sat, Jun 7, 2003, 4:32pm (EDT+4)
>From: parte...@aol.com (parterre=A0box)