The newly renovated Henry Miller’s Theatre is home to this season’s Roundabout Theatre Company’s revival of the musical Bye Bye Birdie. The show is now in previews with opening scheduled for 15 October 2009.
Why is this news for Green Unlimited you ask? Only because it is Broadway’s FIRST and ONLY green theatre. According to Gothamist:
“The owners (The Durst Organization and Bank of America) are applying for an LEED Gold rating for the theater, which was built behind the preserved and restored neo-Georgian façade of the original 1918 theater. The theater’s publicist stated that 25 percent of the construction materials was locally sourced (originating within a 500-mile radius), and a minimum 85 percent of construction and demolition debris was diverted from landfill and instead was recycled.”
And for the women used to long lines at the restroom, the ladies bathroom has…wait for it…*drumroll*…22 stalls! This is 3 times the code requirement! (The men’s room sports waterless urinals.) “And 95% of the air is filtered, with carbon dioxide sensors to maximize fresh air supply.”
The downside? I want to see a show in this theatre, but not Bye Bye Birdie. Especially not with John Stamos and Gina Gershon. We’ll see what the next offering will be.
If you want to stay informed on how the Great White Way is trying to go green, visit The Broadway Green Alliance.
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