Research Catalog

Theater destruction : Joe Michaels editorials

Title: Theater destruction : Joe Michaels editorials [videorecording] / produced by WNBC-TV.
Publication: New York, 1982.

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Item details
Status	Vol/Date	Format	Access	Call Number	Item Location
How do I pick up this item and when will it be ready?	Videodisc 2	Moving image	By appointment only	NCOX 5355 Videodisc 2	Offsite
How do I pick up this item and when will it be ready?	Videodisc 1	Moving image	By appointment only	NCOX 5355 Videodisc 1	Offsite

Details

Additional Authors

Description

2 videodiscs (DVD) (10 min.) : sd., col.; 4 3/4 in.

Summary

Compilation of television editorials concerning the destruction of the Helen Hayes and the Morosco theaters in the Broadway theater district, and the need to preserve historic theaters. Videodisc one contains two editorials by WNBC editorial director Joseph Michaels, aired March 18 and 24, 1982. Michaels speaks against the destruction of the Helen Hayes and Morosco theaters in order to construct the Portman Hotel. Includes an editorial reply by theatrical producer Joseph Papp, aired WCBS-TV, April 2, 1982. The editorial to which Papp replies is not included. Papp calls for the designation of the Broadway theater district as an historic district, and opposes the landmarking of theaters individually. Videodisc two contains an editorial by Michaels, aired May 10, 1982. Michaels speaks in favor of the preservation of historic theaters.

Donor/Sponsor

Gift of the Joseph Papp Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival.

Series Statement

Joseph Papp Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival Moving Image Collection

Subjects

Genre/Form

Television.

Note

These videos separated from the New York Shakespeare Festival collection, *T-Mss 1993-028.
On tape with: Editorial reply by Joseph Papp, aired WCBS-TV, Channel 2, April 4, 1982.
Dubbed compilation of segments taped off air.
Videodisc one: 8 min. Segments begin at 0, 2:25 and 5:45 min. There is blank space between segments. Videodisc two: 2 min.
Title derived from labels on source tape containers.

Event (note)

Joe Michael's editorals broadcast WNBC-TV, Channel 4, New York, N.Y., March 18, 24 and May 10, 1982. Joseph Papp's editorial reply broadcast WCBS-TV, Channel 2, April 2, 1982.

Biography (note)

Theatrical producer Joseph Papp was the organizer of an effort begun in 1982 called Save the Theaters, to stop the destruction of the Morosco and Helen Hayes Theaters for the construction of the Portman Hotel. Papp recruited Merle Debusky to organize publicity and enlisted dozens of celebrated actors in his campaign, which he conducted from a suite in the nearby Piccadilly Hotel. On March 4, 1982 the U.S. Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction preventing demolition of the theaters, and a nineteen-day "Save the Morosco and the Helen Hayes Theater Vigil" began. New York Shakespeare Festival staffers erected a stage on 45th Street in front of the Morosco, where excerpts from seven Pulitzer Prize-winning plays that had originated in the theaters were read by actors. On March 19 the state Supreme Court rejected a petition to halt demolition and Papp threatened physically block the demolition of the Morosco. On March 22, Papp led a group of 200 people to a lot to block access to the demolition machinery. The "Morosco 200" were arrested on 45th Street and taken to a local police precinct, amid much media attention. Demoltion began on March 23. On April 20 charges against the group were dropped. Ultimately Papp's intervention had failed to save the theaters. During the next three years the producer spoke with officials and met with city planners about having the Broadway theater zone declared an historic district.

Call Number

NCOX 5355

OCLC

NYPG06-F150

Title

Theater destruction : Joe Michaels editorials [videorecording] / produced by WNBC-TV.

Imprint

New York, 1982.

Country of Producing Entity

U.S.

Series

Joseph Papp Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival Moving Image Collection

Event

Joe Michael's editorals broadcast WNBC-TV, Channel 4, New York, N.Y., March 18, 24 and May 10, 1982. Joseph Papp's editorial reply broadcast WCBS-TV, Channel 2, April 2, 1982.

Biography

Theatrical producer Joseph Papp was the organizer of an effort begun in 1982 called Save the Theaters, to stop the destruction of the Morosco and Helen Hayes Theaters for the construction of the Portman Hotel. Papp recruited Merle Debusky to organize publicity and enlisted dozens of celebrated actors in his campaign, which he conducted from a suite in the nearby Piccadilly Hotel. On March 4, 1982 the U.S. Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction preventing demolition of the theaters, and a nineteen-day "Save the Morosco and the Helen Hayes Theater Vigil" began. New York Shakespeare Festival staffers erected a stage on 45th Street in front of the Morosco, where excerpts from seven Pulitzer Prize-winning plays that had originated in the theaters were read by actors. On March 19 the state Supreme Court rejected a petition to halt demolition and Papp threatened physically block the demolition of the Morosco. On March 22, Papp led a group of 200 people to a lot to block access to the demolition machinery. The "Morosco 200" were arrested on 45th Street and taken to a local police precinct, amid much media attention. Demoltion began on March 23. On April 20 charges against the group were dropped. Ultimately Papp's intervention had failed to save the theaters. During the next three years the producer spoke with officials and met with city planners about having the Broadway theater zone declared an historic district.

Added Author

Michaels, Joe, speaker.

Papp, Joseph, speaker.

WNBC-TV (Television station : New York, N.Y.), producer.

Research Call Number

NCOX 5355

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