National Theatre

Washington, D.C., United States

The National Theatre is located in Washington, D.C., and is a venue for a variety of live stage productions with seating for 1,676. Despite its name, it is not a governmentally funded national theatre, but operated by a private, non-profit organization.

This historic playhouse was founded on December 7, 1835, by William Corcoran and other prominent citizens who wanted the national capital to have a first-rate theatre. The theatre's initial production was Man of the World. The theatre has been in almost continuous operation since, at the same Pennsylvania Avenue location a few blocks from the White House. The structure has been rebuilt several times, including partial reconstructions after five fires in the 19th century. The current building, at 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, was constructed in 1923, opening in September of that year.

References:

    Comments

    Your name


    Address

    Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest 1301, Washington, D.C., United States
    See all sites in Washington, D.C.

    Details

    Founded: 1835/1923
    Category:

    More Information

    thenationaldc.org
    en.wikipedia.org

    Rating

    4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

    Interesting Sites Nearby


    National World War II Memorial (1,2 km)
    White House (0,5 km)
    Lincoln Memorial (1,9 km)
    Washington Monument (0,9 km)
    Smithsonian Institution Building (0,9 km)
    United States Capitol (2 km)
    Smithsonian American Art Museum (0,7 km)
    National Gallery of Art (1,1 km)
    The National Museum of American History (0,6 km)


    Mount Vernon (21,5 km)

    User Reviews

    F. Robert Ries (2 years ago)
    Throwback feel to it and seems just a tinge worn down - or maybe "unkempt" is the better word. For example, the awning that extends from the balcony to keep us heathens from pouring our drinks onto the spectators seated below was quite dusty. But it's a great space and our seats in the balcony were fantastic.
    Patrick Balchunas (2 years ago)
    A hidden jewel. Parking is very easy. Its easy to get to from the VIRGINIA suburbs and matinee ticket prices are awesome. I love this theater. Its a much more fun and pleasurable experience than that other place on the Potomac River
    Nicky Coogan (2 years ago)
    This was our first experience at the National theater. I loved the more intimate feel if this theater. I was really surprised at how good our seats were and how close to the stage we were. I will definitely go to another show in this theater. The drink and concessions were very pricey, but the theater as a whole was great!
    Erin Lyle (2 years ago)
    We saw the show, Beautiful, @ National Theatre. Its not the first time I've been there nor will it be the last! I highly recommend the show! Beautiful was incredible!! There are no words to describe it. Beautiful is a must see!! The Theatre itself is wonderful. Although, beware, there is a section in the Orchestra section that evens out for 3-4 rows. You either want to so I front or behind those rows for better viewing comfort.
    C DJ (3 years ago)
    Watched Beautiful, the Carole King musical. Sound in the theater is good. The ushers did a great job seating people. There were also ushers in the ladies room who directed patrons to empty stalls. While there was a line (isn't there always) it moved fast because of the ushers.
    Powered by Google

    Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

    Great Spa Towns of Europe
    Photo from Flickr, copyright best of benni

    Historic Site of the week

    Veste Coburg

    The Veste Coburg is one of Germany's largest castles. The hill on which the fortress stands was inhabited from the Neolithic to the early Middle Ages according to the results of excavations. The first documentary mention of Coburg occurs in 1056, in a gift by Richeza of Lotharingia. Richeza gave her properties to Anno II, Archbishop of Cologne, to allow the creation of Saalfeld Abbey in 1071. In 1075, a chapel dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul is mentioned on the fortified Coberg. This document also refers to a Vogt named Gerhart, implying that the local possessions of the Saalfeld Benedictines were administered from the hill.

    A document signed by Pope Honorius II in 1206 refers to a mons coburg, a hill settlement. In the 13th century, the hill overlooked the town of Trufalistat (Coburg's predecessor) and the important trade route from Nuremberg via Erfurt to Leipzig. A document dated from 1225 uses the term schloss (palace) for the first time. At the time, the town was controlled by the Dukes of Merania. They were followed in 1248 by the Counts of Henneberg who ruled Coburg until 1353, save for a period from 1292-1312, when the House of Ascania was in charge.

    In 1353, Coburg fell to Friedrich, Markgraf von Meißen of the House of Wettin. His successor, Friedrich der Streitbare was awarded the status of Elector of Saxony in 1423. As a result of the Hussite Wars the fortifications of the Veste were expanded in 1430.

    Early modern times through Thirty Years' War

    In 1485, in the Partition of Leipzig, Veste Coburg fell to the Ernestine branch of the family. A year later, Elector Friedrich der Weise and Johann der Beständige took over the rule of Coburg. Johann used the Veste as a residence from 1499. In 1506/07, Lucas Cranach the Elder lived and worked in the Veste. From April to October 1530, during the Diet of Augsburg, Martin Luther sought protection at the Veste, as he was under an Imperial ban at the time. Whilst he stayed at the fortress, Luther continued with his work translating the Bible into German. In 1547, Johann Ernst moved the residence of the ducal family to a more convenient and fashionable location, Ehrenburg Palace in the town centre of Coburg. The Veste now only served as a fortification.

    In the further splitting of the Ernestine line, Coburg became the seat of the Herzogtum von Sachsen-Coburg, the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg. The first duke was Johann Casimir (1564-1633), who modernized the fortifications. In 1632, the fortress was unsuccessfully besieged by Imperial and Bavarian forces commanded by Albrecht von Wallenstein for seven days during the Thirty Years' War. Its defence was commanded by Georg Christoph von Taupadel. On 17 March 1635, after a renewed siege of five months' duration, the Veste was handed over to the Imperials under Guillaume de Lamboy.

    17th through 19th centuries

    From 1638-72, Coburg and the Veste were part of the Duchy of Saxe-Altenburg. In 1672, they passed to the Dukes of Saxe-Gotha and in 1735 it was joined to the Duchy of Saxe-Saalfeld. Following the introduction of Primogeniture by Duke Franz Josias (1697-1764), Coburg went by way of Ernst Friedrich (1724-1800) to Franz (1750-1806), noted art collector, and to Duke Ernst III (1784-1844), who remodeled the castle.

    In 1826, the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was created and Ernst now styled himself 'Ernst I'. Military use of the Veste had ceased by 1700 and outer fortifications had been demolished in 1803-38. From 1838-60, Ernst had the run-down fortress converted into a Gothic revival residence. In 1860, use of the Zeughaus as a prison (since 1782) was discontinued. Through a successful policy of political marriages, the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha established links with several of the major European dynasties, including that of the United Kingdom.

    20th century

    The dynasty ended with the reign of Herzog Carl Eduard (1884-1954), also known as Charles Edward, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, a grandson of Queen Victoria, who until 1919 also was the 2nd Duke of Albany in the United Kingdom. Under his rule, many changes made to the Veste in the 19th century were reversed under architect Bodo Ebhardt, with the aim of restoring a more authentic medieval look. Along with the other ruling princes of Germany, Carl Eduard was deposed in the revolution of 1918-1919. After Carl Eduard abdicated in late 1918, the Veste came into possession of the state of Bavaria, but the former duke was allowed to live there until his death. The works of art collected by the family were gifted to the Coburger Landesstiftung, a foundation, which today runs the museum.

    In 1945, the Veste was seriously damaged by artillery fire in the final days of World War II. After 1946, renovation works were undertaken by the new owner, the Bayerische Verwaltung der staatlichen Schlösser, Gärten und Seen.

    Today

    The Veste is open to the public and today houses museums, including a collection art objects and paintings that belonged to the ducal family of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, a large collection of arms and armor, significant examples of early modern coaches and sleighs, and important collections of prints, drawings and coins.

    Map Top Sights Tags Historical Periods City Guides About Us Sign Up Upload new site
    © 2021 SpottingHistory.com. All rights reserved.