Sad news for the NYC cabaret scene, as the Laurie Beechman Theatre will permanently shutter in August, on a date to be determined. The intimate space is part of the West Bank Cafe, which announced a forthcoming closure on social media July 17.
In a statement, owner Steve Olsen cites financial difficulties as the reason behind the restaurant and performance venue closure.
"Due to the high cost of conducting business and the continuing fallout from the pandemic, we can no longer afford to remain open," Olsen shares. "We are forever eternally grateful for the support we have received from our Hell's Kitchen and theatre communities throughout our illustrious 46-year history on Theatre Row, and for the personal relationships and shared history we have forged with our customers and friends."
Originally opened in 1983 as the West Bank Cafe Downstairs Theater Bar, the space was renamed for late Broadway and cabaret icon Laurie Beechman following her death in 1998, at the age of 44. The theatre, located at 42nd Street and 9th Avenue, has long served as one of NYC's most prominent cabaret venues, hosting play readings, concerts, and more over its long run. Notably, comedian Joan Rivers used to work out material with regular shows at the space, including the final performance she gave before her 2014 death.
Financial difficulties became apparent when the venue staged a telethon in 2020, featuring appearances from André De Shields, Betty Buckley, Matthew Broderick, and other theatrical luminaries. The fundraising effort raised a quarter of a million dollars to get through the pandemic shutdown.
