 Astor Place Theatre in 2009 | |
 | |
| Address | 434 Lafayette Street New York City United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°43′45″N73°59′32″W / 40.7293°N 73.9922°W |
| Owner | Blue Man Productions |
| Type | Off-Broadway |
| Production | Blue Man Group |
| Opened | January 17, 1968 |
The Astor Place Theatre is an off-Broadway house at 434 Lafayette Street in the NoHo section of Manhattan, New York City. The theater is located in the historic Colonnade Row, originally constructed in 1831 as a series of nine connected buildings, of which only four remain.
Bruce Mailman bought the building in 1965. [1] On January 17, 1968, the theater opened with Israel Horovitz's The Indian Wants the Bronx starring newcomer Al Pacino. Since then, it has gained a reputation for introducing works by aspiring and often experimental playwrights, including Tom Eyen ( Women Behind Bars , The Dirtiest Show in Town ) and John Ford Noonan ( A Couple White Chicks Sitting Around Talking ). Established writers like Terrence McNally ( Bad Habits ), A.R. Gurney ( The Dining Room , The Perfect Party ) and Larry Shue ( The Foreigner ) also have premiered plays here. The musical revue, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris enjoyed a successful run in 1974. [2]
Starting in 1991, the theater has served as home to the Blue Man Group, which purchased the theatre in 2001 [3] and performed there until February 2, 2025. [4]
