So the Shuberts are renaming the Plymouth and the Royale Theatres. OK. But who can even pronounce Schoenfeld? The Schoenfeld Theatre? Just doesn't work on the tongue the way that Plymouth does.
Anyhow, the thing that I'm really rather perturbed about in the news coverage is that three major theatre websites have each run a story on the renamings (1, 2, 3) but not a single one mentions why the theatres were originally given the names that they had. I assume there was not a Mr. Royale, but who was Plymouth? I want to know... If you tell me, maybe I'll take you to see a show there...
Posted by Jon at October 7, 2004 05:16 PM | TrackBackHi Jon:
I think both Plymouth and Royale were generic names. The Royale was called The Golden for awhile, but it changed back to Royale in the 40s I think. The Plymouth's always been Plymouth, and my guess is that it's just named after the city because there was once a craze which is when they started calling them "Pilgrims". I found a small history on the IBDB but I've lost the link. But at least it's not "A&P" or "Tums" or "Depends"!