The American Airlines Theatre, originally the Selwyn Theatre, is a historic Italian Renaissance styleBroadway theatre in New York City built in 1918. It was designed by George Keister and built by the Selwyn brothers. Used for musicals and other dramatic performances it was eventually converted for film. It was used briefly as a visitor's center but stood vacant for years until a 1997 renovation and restoration. It is located at 227 West 42nd Street.
History
Design
Originally named the Selwyn Theatre, it was designed by the architect George Keister and constructed by the Selwyn brothers, Edgar and Archie, in 1918. It was one of three theatres they built and controlled on 42nd Street, along with the Apollo and the Times Square Theater. It was decorated in the style of the Italian Renaissance, and originally had 1,180 seats. At the time of its opening, the design had several innovations. Its most novel feature was separate smoking rooms for men and women. Additionally, each dressing room was equipped with a shower and telephone.
Productions
The venue initially hosted major musical and dramatic productions, including Cole Porter's Wake Up and Dream in 1929, and Three's a Crowd starring Clifton Webb in 1930–31, but eventually became a cinema. In the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s the theatre featured double features of standard Hollywood films. Beginning in the 1960s, until the theatre closed, the theatre featured grindhouse programs. It would return to legitimate theater several times over the next six decades, but eventually fell into disrepair. It was used briefly in the early 1990s as a home for the Times SquareVisitors Center and for a limited production of Eugene O'Neill's The Hairy Ape, but for the most part, stood vacant.
Renovation
The City and State of New York took possession of the Selwyn in 1990. In 1992, it was one of six 42nd Street theatres to fall under the protection of the New 42nd Street organization. The Roundabout Theatre Company committed to renovating the Selwyn in 1997. It was restored to its former grandeur, renamed the American Airlines in honor of its principal sponsor, and reopened on June 30, 2000. The American Airlines Theatre currently serves as the home of the Roundabout and houses its major dramatic productions.
