A Short History of Roundabout Theatre Company

A New Stage

In 1994, Roundabout jumped at the chance to transform the cabaret space next to its mainstage theatre at the Criterion Center into an intimate, state-of-the-art off-Broadway theatre. With the extraordinary support of Laura Pels and Cory and Bob Donnalley, Roundabout began an intensive renovation effort to create a home for new works, as well as lesser-known works from the classic canon. The new 399-seat Laura Pels Theatre opened on September 27, 1995 with the American premiere of Harold Pinter's Moonlight, starring Jason Robards and Blythe Danner. Roundabout also saw another major landmark in September 1995 when the theatre successfully retired its deficit.

Jason Robards and Blythe Danner in Moonlight

Roundabout was honored to refer to Robards as its "artist-in-residence" during the Laura Pels Theatre inaugural year. That same year, Robards joined Roundabout's Board of Directors, along with his No Man's Land co-star, Christopher Plummer. In Robards' memory and in honor of his unique contributions to the American theatre, Roundabout introduced its Jason Robards Award for Excellence in Theatre in 2001. Plummer was honored as the first recipient. In 2004, Roundabout awarded this recognition to the songwriting team of John Kander and Fred Ebb of Cabaret fame.

Between 1995 and 1999, Roundabout staged ten productions in the Laura Pels Theatre. Classic works by Shaw and Molière were offset by contemporary classics by Miller and Pinter. New works also had their world, American, and New York premieres at the Laura Pels Theatre, including the world premiere of Beth Henley's Impossible Marriage (1998) the American premieres of Harold Pinter's Moonlight (1995) and Brian Friel's Molly Sweeney (1995), and the New York premiere of Paula Vogel's The Mineola Twins (1999).

NEXT -- REACHING OUT >>

Quick Search:
A Bright Idea
The Broadway Years
A New Stage
Reaching Out
Overwhelming Success
Coming Home
Breaking New Ground
Wilkommen
The Next Frontier

[HOME][Printer-Friendly Version]

Last Update:
September 15, 2006