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 club in New York City started by a famous actor named Edwin Booth in the 1800s. It's located in a beautiful old mansion at 16 Gramercy Park. Booth bought this house in 1888. He kept an apartment for himself on an upper floor and turned the rest into a clubhouse for his friends.
A well-known architect, Stanford White, designed the inside and part of the outside of the building. The gaslights at the entrance are very old and rare in New York City. The Players is thought to be the oldest club that still uses its original building. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1962, which means it's a very important historical place.
Besides being a social club, The Players is like a museum for American and British theater history. It has a huge collection of items from plays, like costumes and old weapons. You can also see portraits of its members, including a famous painting of actor Joseph Jefferson by John Singer Sargent. Even a portrait of John Wilkes Booth, Edwin's brother, hangs in Edwin's old apartment, along with a letter Edwin wrote to apologize for his brother's actions.
Today, the club still hosts "Pipe Nights" to honor important people in theater. It has a kitchen, a wine cellar, and a billiard table in its busy Grill Room. The Dining Room is filled with portraits of theater and film stars and old playbills. There's even a small stage where members can perform or try out new plays. The Players also gives out the "Edwin Booth Life Achievement Award" to actors who have had long and important careers in theater and film. Famous winners include Helen Hayes, Christopher Plummer, and Angela Lansbury.
Contents
History of The Players
How The Players Started
In 1888, Edwin Booth bought a large house in Gramercy Square. He might have been inspired by a similar club in London called the Garrick Club. Booth wanted to create a place where actors could meet and talk with people from other jobs, like writers, artists, and business leaders.
Booth had the building specially designed and decorated with his own belongings. He made sure there was a private apartment for him to use. After the building was ready, a group of founding members officially opened the clubhouse to new members on December 31, 1888. Edwin Booth passed away at the club on June 7, 1893, when he was 59 years old.
The 20th Century at The Players
In the 1970s, wives of club members were allowed to use some of the club's facilities. Then, in September 1987, the club voted to let women become full members. This was a big change! It also meant the club could rent out its spaces for events, which was not allowed before under New York City law. Helen Hayes, a famous actress, became the first woman member on April 23, 1989. This date is also the birthday of William Shakespeare.
The 21st Century at The Players
In the early 2000s, The Players faced some financial challenges. The club worked to solve these issues, including managing its valuable collections and properties. One idea was to sell a famous painting of Edwin Booth by John Singer Sargent to help raise money.
By 2013, the club was working hard to improve its financial situation. They looked into different ways to earn money, like renting out rooms for parties and meetings, or letting filmmakers use the building for movie scenes. They also started a special fund to help fix and preserve the historic building's outside.
The club's rooms are often used for plays, readings, workshops, and concerts. In December 2015, The Players hosted a special event for the 30th anniversary of the movie Clue. They honored the movie's director, Jonathan Lynn, with a live performance on the club's stage.
In 2016, The Players got a large loan to help with its financial needs. This allowed them to keep their valuable artwork, like the Sargent portrait of Joseph Jefferson, which they even loaned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a while. The club now focuses on its members and bringing in new ones.
Who Can Join The Players?
The Players club has always welcomed a mix of people. Its members have included important bankers, lawyers, and business people. It also welcomed those involved in other arts, such as writers, journalists, sculptors, architects, and painters.
Many famous people have been presidents of the club. After Edwin Booth, Joseph Jefferson became president. Other presidents have included John Drew Jr., Helen Hayes, José Ferrer, and Lynn Redgrave. In 2010, Johnnie Planco became president.
A writer named Earl Wilson once shared a funny way to tell the difference between The Players and other clubs like The Lambs and Friars. He said that The Players are "gentlemen trying to be actors."
See also
In Spanish: The Players (Nueva York) para niños
