Theater News

New York City to Give Signature Theater Company $25 Million for New Theater

Tony Kushner, Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn,
James Houghton, and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
making their mark on the new Center.
(© Tristan Fuge)
Tony Kushner, Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn,
James Houghton, and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
making their mark on the new Center.

(© Tristan Fuge)

New York City will give $25 million of the $60 million need for the Signature Theater Company to build their new home on West 42nd Street, it was formally announced today at a ceremony.

The Frank Gehry-designed Signature Center will be part of Related Companies’ $800 million, 59-story, residential building and hotel on 42nd Street and 10th Avenue. It will include three theaters, rehearsal studios, a café, bookstore, and administrative offices and is expected to be completed in 2012. The entire building will be LEED-Silver rated, meaning that it has been built using specific choices in building materials and designed to reduce the structure’s environmental impact.

Signature’s Playwright-in-Residence, Tony Kushner, was on hand to speak, while guests included Mayor Michael Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Bill Irwin, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, John Guare, Neil Pepe, Hallie Foote, and many others.