Res. No. 273-A
Resolution designating the last week of each January to be known and celebrated as “Live Theatre Week” in New York City and calling upon the Mayor, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting to recognize and celebrate such week.
By Council Members Recchia Jr., Dickens, Fidler, Foster, Gennaro, Gentile, James, Mark-Viverito, McMahon, Nelson, Seabrook, Weprin, White Jr., Jackson, Sears, and Mealy
Whereas, Beginning with the world’s first dramatic performance held on the banks of the Nile River in 2000 B.C., live theater has established itself as an indispensable form of human expression; and
Whereas, Live theater in New York City dates back to well before the 1800’s; and
Whereas, In 1891, the first electric marquis lit up a theatre located at the current site of the Flatiron Building, and ten years after this event, the theatre district in Manhattan would be so illuminated by white lights that O.J. Gaude would refer to it as the “Great White Way;” and
Whereas, The construction of theatres during the early 1900’s would concentrate New York City’s currently world-renowned theatre district, formerly spread out over more than 30 blocks, in midtown Manhattan; and
Whereas, During the 1940’s, New York City saw the birth of Off-Broadway productions, including the growth of small theatres in Greenwich Village; and
Whereas, According to livebroadway.com, the 2006-2007 Broadway season was the second highest on record totaling 1,509 playing weeks, with paid attendance reaching 12.3 million, up 2.6% from the prior season’s 12.0 million mark, and gross income was generated at a new record of $939 million; and
Whereas, Livebroadway.com also indicates that Broadway contributes almost $5 billion to New York City’s economy and supports approximately 45,000 full-time equivalent jobs; and
Whereas, Live theater has also found its way to New York City’s outer boroughs, with performances taking place at institutions such as the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Flushing Town Hall and Queens Theatre in the Park; and
Whereas, Live theater is an important community resource, enriching the cultural fabric of New York City by bringing to life ideas representing the complex diversity of this region and the world and serving as a powerful force to dissolve misunderstandings and dispel stereotypes; and
Whereas, Live theater is a cherished art form within this community, one deserving continued public and private financial support; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York designates the last week of each January to be known and celebrated as “Live Theatre Week” in New York City; and, be it further
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Mayor, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting to recognize and celebrate such week.
Res. No. 1152/2005
JN
Res. No. 273-A/2007
MDP/DB