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Bernhardt/Hamlet Stars Celebrate American Airlines Theatre's 100th Birthday

The anniversary took place October 2.

Editorial Staff
New York City
Dylan Baker, Todd Haimes, New York State Senator Brad Hoylman, Janet McTeer, and Jason Butler Harner with a proclamation from the New York State Senate.
Dylan Baker, Roundabout Theatre Company artistic director and CEO Todd Haimes, New York State Senator Brad Hoylman, Janet McTeer, and Jason Butler Harner with a proclamation from the New York State Senate.
(© Susan Stava)

Broadway's American Airlines Theatre celebrated its 100th birthday on Tuesday, October 2.

Built in 1918 by the Selwyn brothers, the venue, originally named the Selwyn Theatre, was designed by George Keister in the style of the Italian Renaissance. Upon opening, the Selywn hosted productions from George Kaufman, Noël Coward, and Cole Porter, among others, before eventually becoming a cinema. It eventually fell into disrepair until New York City took possession of the venue in 1990.

In 2000, Roundabout restored the theater to its original style as part of the 42nd Street Development Project, and the theater reopened with The Man Who Came to Dinner starring Nathan Lane and Jean Smart. Other productions through the years include Roundabout Theatre Company's Tony-winning revival of The Pajama Game, as well as Hedda Gabler staring Mary-Louise Parker, Les Liaisons Dangereuses starring Laura Linney, A Naked Girl on the Appian Way with Richard Thomas and Jill Clayburgh, The Philanthropist starring Matthew Broderick, and currently, Bernhardt/Hamlet, starring Janet McTeer, Jason Butler Harner, and Dylan Baker.