Theater News

Signature Announces Plan for New Theater Center

New York City
New York’s Signature Theater Company has announced plans for the creation of the new 70,000 square foot Signature Theatre Center to be located as part of a new residential/hotel building at 480 West 42nd Street being developed by Related Companies.

The 17-year-old company has explored numerous options in recent years for a replacement for its current Peter Norton Theatre near the corner of 42nd Street and Eleventh Avenue, which it moved into in 1998.

The new STC will feature an interior designed by noted architect Frank Gehry, and will include a central lobby connecting to three theaters on one floor: a 299-seat space, a 199-seat space — and a flexible 199-seat space. There will also be two dedicated rehearsal spaces as well as administrative offices and backstage support areas.

Signature is currently devoting its 2008-2009 season to the works of the Negro Ensemble Company, with upcoming seasons scheduled to showcase the plays of Suzan-Lori Parks and Tony Kushner. It has devoted previous seasons to Edward Albee, Horton Foote, John Guare, Bill Irwin, Charles Mee, Paula Vogel, and the late August Wilson, among other playwrights.