Contact: Colleen Roche or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2958
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani delivered the curtain speech this evening at the opening night of King David, the first live performance in the New Amsterdam Theatre since Disney restored and renovated the landmark playhouse.
"The restoration of the New Amsterdam Theatre illustrates our successful efforts to revitalize 42nd Street and stimulate business, create jobs and improve the standard of living in our City," said Mayor Giuliani. "We've driven crime down, eliminated the adult entertainment establishments that once populated this area, and we've worked with public and private partnerships to bring live entertainment, shopping, restaurants and tourist attractions back to 42nd Street."
"Thanks to Disney and the City and State of New York, the New Amsterdam will continue to showcase the best in entertainment," he continued. "On behalf of the City of New York, I would like to thank the Disney Corporation for their outstanding commitment to New York City, and for their help in making New York City the world's capital of entertainment."
The last live show to perform on the New Amsterdam stage was in 1937. The theatre, which originally opened in 1903 with a production of "Midsummer Night's Dream," went on to become home to the "Ziegfeld Follies" from 1913 to 1927.