Joseph Papp - "Save The Theatres" Effort

"Save The Theatres" Effort

Papp also took a keen interest in preservation of the historic Broadway/Times Square Theatre District. In the early 1980s, he organized and led a "Save the Theatres" movement along with a number of actors, directors, producers and other theatre folk, and film and television personalities, to preserve various vintage playhouses that were being threatened with demolition by monied Manhattan development interests. Papp's initiative was sparked by the impending demolition in 1982 of the historic Morosco and Music Box theatres, as well as the old Piccadilly Hotel, on West 45th Street.

Although Papp was unsuccessful in saving the Morosco or Music Box, at his encouragement Congressman Donald J. Mitchell of New York introduced legislation (97th Congress - H.R.6885) with 13 co-sponsors, in the United States Congress to designate a "Broadway/Times Square Theatre District National Historic Site" in Manhattan.

Faced with fierce opposition and extensive lobbying against its passage by Mayor Ed Koch's administration and big-money Manhattan development interests, Mitchell's bill was not enacted into law. The overall effect, however, of that legislative initiative and Papp's other "Save the Theatres" efforts was to slow destruction of the old Theatre District enough to eventually ensure preservation of a number of other historic playhouses and to retain a measure of the District's original flavor, atmosphere, charm and historic character for future generations.

As a result in large part to the preservation effort led by Papp in the 1980s, the Theatre District remains one of New York City's primary and most popular tourist attractions and destinations today.