Didn’t the BAM Harvey Theater start as the Majestic Theatre back in 1904? It was one of many theaters lighting up downtown Brooklyn’s vibrant entertainment scene. Imagine the buzz then.
The Majestic showcased dramas, light operas, musicals and vaudeville acts. Big stars like Katherine Cornell graced its stage. Many productions even tested the waters here before heading to Broadway. Noel Coward’s “Home Chat” was one of them.
Fast forward to 1942. The Majestic transformed into a classy movie house, with European flair. Parisian showmen, escaping the Nazis, ran it. But by the 1960s, times changed. Television became popular. People moved away and theaters closed. The Majestic shut its doors and was abandoned for two decades.
Then, in 1986, BAM President Harvey Lichtenstein searched for a place to stage Peter Brook’s “The Mahabharata”. It was a nine-hour play. Lichtenstein rediscovered the old Majestic. It was perfect. It reminded him of repurposed spaces in Europe, like Brook’s theater in Paris.
Lichtenstein raised money and renovated the theater in 1987. The renovation won awards. Designers kept some original features. They created an aged look, connecting the past and future. In 1999, the Majestic became the BAM Harvey Theater. It honored Harvey Lichtenstein when he retired.
Now, the BAM Harvey Theater is part of the Brooklyn Academy of Music. BAM has three main venues. There is the Peter Jay Sharp Building. The BAM Harvey Theater. And the Fisher Building.
The BAM Harvey Theater isn’t just a pretty face. It is functional. It is available for rent by commercial and nonprofit groups. Even community organizations can rent it. The theater has a seating capacity of 837. The stage is spacious. It includes wings and fly space. An orchestra pit is available, too.
In 2013, the Harvey Theater got a new Steinberg screen. It shows classic and independent movies. The screen is large. It has digital projection and great sound. It even has 42 surround speakers. The BAM Harvey Theater is a unique place. It blends history and modern performance.