The Players (New York City) facts for kids
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The Players
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 Location in New York City
Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 16 Gramercy Park, Manhattan, New York City |
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| Built | 1844 |
| Architect | Stanford White (1888 renovations) |
| Architectural style | Renaissance |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000549 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 29, 1962 |
The Players is a special social club in New York City. It was started by Edwin Booth, a famous actor from the 1800s.
In 1888, Booth bought a large house at 16 Gramercy Park. He lived on the top floor and turned the rest into a club. The inside of the building was designed by architect Stanford White. The gaslights at the entrance are very old and rare. This club is thought to be the oldest club still in its original building. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1962.
The Players club is a place for people to meet and socialize. It also keeps a huge collection of items from American and British theatre history. This includes old costumes, weapons, and paintings of famous members. One famous painting is of actor Joseph Jefferson by John Singer Sargent. There is even a portrait of John Wilkes Booth, who was Edwin Booth's brother. Edwin Booth wrote a letter apologizing for his brother's actions, and it hangs in his old room.
Today, the club still hosts "Pipe Nights" to honor theatre stars. It has a kitchen, a wine cellar, and a billiard table. In the Dining Room, there's a small stage. Members can perform readings or try out new plays there.
The club also gives out the "Edwin Booth Life Achievement Award." This award honors actors who have had long and important careers in theatre and film. Famous winners include Helen Hayes, Christopher Plummer, and Angela Lansbury.
Contents
History of The Players Club
How The Players Club Started
In 1888, Edwin Booth bought a house in Gramercy Square. He wanted to create a social club like the Garrick Club in London. His goal was to bring actors together with people from other jobs. These included business owners, writers, and other artists.
Booth had the building redesigned and filled with his own things. He made sure there was an apartment just for him. On December 31, 1888, the club officially opened. Booth died at the club on June 7, 1893, when he was 59 years old.
The 1900s at The Players
In the 1970s, widows of club members were allowed to use some of the club's facilities. In 1987, the club voted to let women become full members. This was a big change! Helen Hayes became the first woman member on April 23, 1989. This date is also the birthday of William Shakespeare.
The 2000s at The Players
In the early 2000s, The Players club faced some financial challenges. They worked to resolve these issues. The club explored different ways to raise money to keep its historic building.
To help with finances, the club considered renting out its rooms for parties and meetings. They also thought about letting film crews use the building for movie scenes. They looked into working with groups like Actors' Equity and the Screen Actors Guild. In 2013, a special group was formed to help fix the outside of the club's old building.
The club secured a loan to help with its financial situation. This meant they did not have to sell their valuable artwork. They even loaned a famous painting of actor Joseph Jefferson to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a while. The club now focuses on its members and bringing in new ones.
The club's rooms are used for many events. These include plays, readings, workshops, and concerts. In 2015, the club hosted a special event for the 30th anniversary of the movie Clue. Actors performed a live show on the club's stage.
Who Can Join The Players
The Players club has always welcomed many different kinds of people. Early members included important bankers, lawyers, and business people. Artists like writers, sculptors, and painters also joined.
Many famous people have been presidents of the club. These include Joseph Jefferson, John Drew Jr., José Ferrer, and Lynn Redgrave. In 2008, Timothy Hutton resigned as president. Johnnie Planco became president in 2010.
A famous writer named Earl Wilson once shared a funny saying about three New York clubs. He said, "The Players are gentlemen trying to be actors." He added, "the Lambs are actors trying to be gentlemen." And finally, "the Friars are neither trying to be both." This quote was likely made by George S. Kaufman.
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