History of Eugene O'Neill Theatre in Timeline
The Eugene O'Neill Theatre, originally the Forrest Theatre and later the Coronet Theatre, is a Broadway theater located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Designed by Herbert J. Krapp for the Shubert brothers, it opened in 1925 as part of a complex honoring Edwin Forrest. Now named after the renowned American playwright Eugene O'Neill, the theater seats 1,108 people across two levels and is currently operated by ATG Entertainment. Its auditorium interior holds the distinction of being a New York City designated landmark.
2 hours ago : Fire erupts at Eugene O'Neill Theatre on Broadway, home to 'The Book of Mormon'.
A fire broke out at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on Broadway, where 'The Book of Mormon' is playing. Firefighters responded to the scene to control the situation. The extent of the damage is currently unknown.
1900: Times Square Theater Productions
Around 1900, Times Square became the epicenter for large-scale theater productions.
September 1920: Shuberts Announced Plans
In September 1920, the Shuberts announced plans for six new theaters.
1921: Theaters Erected
From 1920 to 1921, the Shubert brothers erected the Ambassador, Ritz (now Walter Kerr), and 49th Street Theatres.
November 1924: Shuberts Sold Row Houses
In November 1924, the Shuberts sold eight row houses at 224–238 West 49th Street for $2 million to Daniel Darrow.
May 1925: Construction Began
In May 1925, construction on the Forrest Theatre began.
November 24, 1925: Forrest Theatre Opening
On November 24, 1925, the Forrest Theatre opened with the musical 'Mayflowers' as its first production.
1925: Shubert Brothers Controlled Ticket Sales
By 1925, the Shubert brothers controlled a quarter of all plays and three-quarters of theatrical ticket sales in the U.S.
1925: Theater Constructed
In 1925, the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, then known as the Forrest Theatre, was constructed for the Shubert brothers.
1926: Unsuccessful Productions
In 1926, the Forrest's other productions were largely unsuccessful, including The Matinee Girl, Mama Loves Papa, and Rainbow Rose.
1927: Women Go on Forever
In 1927, 'Women Go on Forever' opened at the theater and ran for 118 performances.
1928: Flops
In 1928, the Forrest hosted multiple flops, including Mirrors, The Skull, The Common Sin, and The Squealer.
1929: Broadway Industry Suffering
By 1929, the Broadway theatrical industry was suffering due to the Great Depression.
1929: Dance Performance
In 1929, Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn danced at the Forrest.
March 1931: In the Best of Families
In March 1931, 'In the Best of Families' transferred to the Forrest and had 141 total performances.
October 1931: Series of Flops
Beginning in October 1931, none of the seven subsequent shows at the Forrest, within a thirteen-month period, had more than 36 performances.
November 1932: The Good Fairy
In November 1932, a minor hit came with a transfer of 'The Good Fairy', featuring Helen Hayes and Walter Connolly.
January 1933: Foreclosure
In January 1933, the Lawyers Title and Guaranty Company moved to foreclose on a $960,000 mortgage loan on the Forrest Theatre and Hotel.
August 1934: Forrest Theatre Sold
In August 1934, with the mortgage loan in foreclosure, the Forrest Theatre and Hotel were sold to Lawyers Title at an auction.
September 1934: Lease and Tobacco Road Transfer
In September 1934, Sam Grisman and Harry H. Oshrin leased the Forrest Theatre and Tobacco Road transferred to the Forrest.
1934: Shuberts Lost Theater
In 1934, the Shuberts lost the theater to foreclosure. Subsequently, the theater hosted 'Tobacco Road', which became the longest-running production in Broadway history.
September 1936: Lease Renewal
In September 1936, the producers renewed their lease of the Forrest Theatre for another five years.
1939: Tobacco Road Longest Broadway Production
In 1939, 'Tobacco Road' became the longest-running Broadway production.
May 1941: Tobacco Road Ended
In May 1941, 'Tobacco Road' ended its run after approximately 3,180 performances, becoming Broadway's longest-running play at the time.
1942: Tobacco Road Revival
In 1942, 'Tobacco Road' returned, but the revival closed after just 34 performances. Claudia and Three Men on a Horse also ran in the theater in 1942.
March 1944: Leased to Mutual Broadcasting System
In March 1944, the empty Forrest Theatre was leased to the Mutual Broadcasting System for six months.
1944: Theater Became Broadcast Studio
In 1944, the theater briefly served as a broadcast studio.
August 1945: Lease Expiration
In August 1945, the Shuberts' lease was set to expire.
September 1945: Forrest Theatre Renamed
In September 1945, Louis Lotito of City Playhouse Theatres bought and renovated the Forrest, renaming it the Coronet.
October 27, 1945: Beggars Are Coming to Town
On October 27, 1945, 'Beggars Are Coming to Town' was the first production at the refurbished theater.
1945: Auditorium Redecorated
In 1945, the auditorium's original red and gold decor was changed to blue and gray.
1945: Facade Refaced
In 1945, the facade was refaced in plain stucco, painted in bright colors to evoke New Orleans, as part of renovations by Walker & Gillette.
1945: Theater Sold and Renamed Coronet
In 1945, the theater was sold to City Playhouse Theatres, who renovated it and renamed it the Coronet.
January 1947: All My Sons Opened
In January 1947, 'All My Sons' by Arthur Miller opened, running for 328 performances.
1948: Small Wonder Premiered
In 1948, 'Small Wonder' premiered at the Coronet.
1949: Diamond Lil Revival
In 1949, Mae West's play 'Diamond Lil' was revived, running for 181 performances.
1950: Tickets, Please! and Hilda Crane
In 1950, the Coronet hosted 'Tickets, Please!' and 'Hilda Crane'.
1951: The Autumn Garden
In 1951, a revival of Lillian Hellman's play 'The Autumn Garden' was staged at the Coronet.
1952: The Children's Hour and Jane
In 1952, the Coronet hosted revivals of Lillian Hellman's 'The Children's Hour' and the play 'Jane'.
1953: The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker
At the end of 1953, 'The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker' was staged at the Coronet.
1953: Eugene O'Neill Death
Playwright Eugene O'Neill, for whom the theater was named, passed away in 1953.
1955: The Bad Seed and Arthur Miller Plays
In 1955, the Coronet hosted 'The Bad Seed' and a double bill of Arthur Miller's 'A Memory of Two Mondays' and 'A View from the Bridge'.
1957: The Waltz of the Toreadors
In 1957, the Coronet hosted 'The Waltz of the Toreadors'.
1958: The Firstborn and The Disenchanted
In 1958, the Coronet hosted 'The Firstborn' and 'The Disenchanted'.
May 1959: Osterman Signed Contract
In May 1959, Lester Osterman signed a contract to buy the theater for $1.2 million, effective that September, with plans to rename it after Eugene O'Neill.
October 1959: The Great God Brown Opened
In October 1959, The Phoenix Theatre's version of Eugene O'Neill's play 'The Great God Brown' opened just before the renaming of the Coronet.
November 27, 1959: Renaming Ceremony Canceled
On November 27, 1959, the formal renaming ceremony of the Coronet was canceled because the preview of 'A Loss of Roses' was rescheduled.
1959: Theater Renamed After Eugene O'Neill
In 1959, Lester Osterman bought the theater and renamed it after Eugene O'Neill.
1961: Show Girl opens at the Eugene O'Neill
In 1961, the Charles Gaynor revue Show Girl with Carol Channing opened at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, achieving 100 performances and marking the first hit at the theatre after it was renamed.
1962: A Thousand Clowns at the Eugene O'Neill
In 1962, Herb Gardner's A Thousand Clowns was staged at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.
1963: She Loves Me Staged at the Eugene O'Neill
In 1963, the musical She Loves Me by Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick, and Joe Masteroff was staged at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.
December 1964: Osterman sells Eugene O'Neill Theatre
In December 1964, Osterman sold the Eugene O'Neill Theatre to David J. Cogan for $1.35 million.
1966: The Odd Couple Transfers to Eugene O'Neill
In 1966, The Odd Couple transferred to the Eugene O'Neill Theatre and became a hit.
1967: Neil Simon Acquired Theater
In 1967, Neil Simon acquired the theater and staged several of his works there.
1967: Neil Simon Acquires Full Ownership
In 1967, Neil Simon bought Cogan's half-ownership stake in the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, acquiring full ownership.
1968: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead transfers to the Eugene O'Neill
In 1968, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead transferred to the Eugene O'Neill Theatre and became a hit.
1969: Last of the Red Hot Lovers Debuts
In 1969, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, written by Neil Simon, was staged at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre and became a hit.
1969: West End musical Canterbury Tales opens at Eugene O'Neill
In 1969, the West End musical Canterbury Tales was staged at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.
1971: The Prisoner of Second Avenue Debuts
In 1971, Neil Simon's play The Prisoner of Second Avenue was staged at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre and became a hit.
1973: The Good Doctor Debuts
In 1973, Neil Simon's play The Good Doctor was staged at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre and became a hit.
1974: God's Favorite Debuts
In 1974, Neil Simon's play God's Favorite was staged at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre and became a hit.
1975: Yentl Opens
In 1975, Leah Napolin and Isaac Bashevis Singer's Yentl opened at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.
1976: California Suite Debuts
In 1976, Neil Simon's California Suite was staged at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre and became a hit.
1979: Chapter Two Transfers
In 1979, a transfer of Neil Simon's Chapter Two was staged at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre and became a hit.
1980: I Ought to Be in Pictures Debuts and Theater Restoration
In 1980, Neil Simon's play I Ought to Be in Pictures was staged at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre and became a hit. Additionally, Marsha Mason oversaw a restoration of the theater that year, redecorating the interior in beige and red velvet and the exterior in limestone.
1980: Facade Renovated Again
In 1980, the facade was renovated again, this time in beige limestone.
1981: Fools Debuts and Annie Transfers
In 1981, Neil Simon's Fools was staged at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre and considered a flop. In addition, a transfer of the musical Annie was performed at the theater.
March 1982: Jujamcyn Acquires the Eugene O'Neill Theatre
In March 1982, Jujamcyn acquired the Eugene O'Neill Theatre from Neil Simon.
1982: Jujamcyn Operated Theater
In 1982, Jujamcyn began operating the theater.
1982: Little Me Debuts
In 1982, Neil Simon's Little Me was staged at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre and considered a flop.
1982: LPC Considers Landmark Status
In 1982, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) started to consider protecting the Eugene O'Neill Theatre as a landmark.
February 22, 1983: Moose Murders Premiere and Immediate Closure
On February 22, 1983, Moose Murders premiered at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre but closed on the same day, becoming notorious.
1985: Big River Opens
In 1985, Big River opened at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, running for 1,005 performances over the next two years and becoming a major hit.
December 8, 1987: Eugene O'Neill's Interior Designated as Landmark
On December 8, 1987, the LPC designated the Eugene O'Neill Theatre's interior as a landmark.
1987: Tom Waits Limited Concert Engagement
In 1987, Tom Waits had a limited concert engagement at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.
March 1988: Landmark Designations Ratified
In March 1988, the New York City Board of Estimate ratified the landmark designations, including that of the Eugene O'Neill Theatre's interior.
June 1988: Lawsuit Filed Against Landmark Designations
In June 1988, Jujamcyn, the Nederlanders, and the Shuberts collectively sued the LPC to overturn the landmark designations of 22 theaters, including the Eugene O'Neill.
1988: M. Butterfly Opens
In 1988, David Henry Hwang's M. Butterfly opened at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.
1991: La Bête and Penn & Teller Appear
In 1991, the short-lived play La Bête and a magic show by Penn & Teller were staged at the Eugene O'Neill.
1992: Five Guys Named Moe Opens
In 1992, Five Guys Named Moe opened at the Eugene O'Neill and stayed for a year.
1992: Landmark Designations Upheld
In 1992, the landmark designations of theaters, including the Eugene O'Neill, were ultimately upheld by the New York Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of the United States.
1994: Grease! Opens and Restoration Award
In 1994, Grease! opened at the Eugene O'Neill and ran for 1,503 performances. The LPC also granted an award for the theater's restoration designed by Campagna & Russo Architects, which cost $1 million.
1994: Auditorium Renovated
In 1994, a purple and gold paint scheme was added during a renovation of the auditorium.
1998: Two Flops at the Eugene O'Neill
In 1998, the Eugene O'Neill saw two flops: Peter Whelan's The Herbal Bed and Rob Bartlett's More to Love.
1999: Death of a Salesman Opens
In 1999, Death of a Salesman opened at the Eugene O'Neill.
2000: The Full Monty and Waiting in the Wings at Eugene O'Neill
In 2000, Waiting in the Wings transferred to the Eugene O'Neill, followed by The Full Monty, which ran for over two years.
2003: Nine Revival
In 2003, a revival of the musical Nine was performed at the Eugene O'Neill.
February 2004: Caroline, or Change Relocates
In February 2004, the off-Broadway play Caroline, or Change relocated to the Eugene O'Neill.
2005: New Ownership and Productions
In 2005, the Eugene O'Neill hosted Good Vibrations and Sweeney Todd. Rocco Landesman also bought the Eugene O'Neill and Jujamcyn's four other theaters. Jordan Roth joined Jujamcyn as a resident producer the same year.
2006: Spring Awakening Opens
In 2006, Spring Awakening opened at the Eugene O'Neill and ran for two years.
2009: Roth Acquires Stake in Jujamcyn
In 2009, Jordan Roth acquired a 50 percent stake in Jujamcyn and assumed full operation of the firm. Additionally, the Eugene O'Neill hosted 33 Variations and Fela!.
2010: Productions Premiered
During the 2010–2011 season, the Eugene O'Neill Theater saw the premier of original productions.
March 2011: The Book of Mormon Opens
In March 2011, The Book of Mormon opened at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.
September 17, 2011: One-Night Reading of 8
On September 17, 2011, the Eugene O'Neill held a one-night reading of Dustin Lance Black's play 8.
2011: 'The Book of Mormon' Hosted
Since 2011, the Eugene O'Neill Theatre has hosted the musical 'The Book of Mormon'.
January 4, 2015: Box Office Record for The Book of Mormon
For the week ending January 4, 2015, The Book of Mormon grossed $2,224,280 over nine performances, achieving a box office record for the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.
March 12, 2020: Theater Closed Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
On March 12, 2020, the Eugene O'Neill Theatre closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
November 5, 2021: Theater Reopened with The Book of Mormon
On November 5, 2021, the Eugene O'Neill Theatre reopened with performances of The Book of Mormon.
July 2023: Jordan Roth Sells Stake in Jujamcyn Theaters
In July 2023, Jordan Roth sold a 93 percent stake in Jujamcyn's five theaters, including the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, to ATG and Providence Equity.
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