Feltman’s moving away from Theatre 80 on St Mark's Place

Today is the last day to enjoy a hot dog at the Feltman’s of Coney Island outpost at Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place.

Feltman's owner Michael Quinn shared the news with me via email.

"Grateful we are for the last several years at 80 St. Mark's, unfortunately, we have outgrown the location — but stay tuned because we’ll be back bigger and better in a yet undisclosed space," Quinn said.

He started selling hot dogs from inside the William Barnacle Tavern at Theatre 80 in August 2016. Shortly after, Gothamist declared that Feltman's served NYC's best hog dog.

Feltman's is named after Charles Feltman, purportedly the inventor of the hot dog as well as the restaurant that was located in Coney Island from 1870-1954. (Read more about Feltman at the Coney Island History Project here.)

Quinn is particularly proud that, starting last year, McSorley's began serving Feltman's hot dogs. "The first time they added a food item in over 50 years," he said.

Upon opening on St. Mark's Place in 2016, Quinn said that he had found a good match with Theatre 80 operator Lorcan Otway.

"Lorcan and I are both native New Yorkers and historians who believe in the preservation of NY history and small businesses," Quinn said at the time. "Lorcan told me that he loves that fact that Feltman's is going from what was the largest restaurant in the world at Coney Island to the smallest kitchen on St. Mark's Place."

And moving forward: "We ask you to please support Theatre 80 and the William Barnacle Tavern."

A call to help preserve Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place

members of the staff at Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place recently launched a crowdfunding campaign to help keep the enterprise alive.

Here's part of the appeal via GoFundMe:

From prohibition speakeasy to beloved Off Broadway playhouse, Theatre 80 St Marks is a beacon of historical and cultural significance in the East Village.

But maintaining, restoring and preserving the historic site with ever-escalating costs in a gentrifying neighborhood is challenging and expensive.

Theatre 80 is one of the last surviving family owned and operated Off Broadway theaters, occupying two beautiful and historic 1830s townhouses, which along with a 199-seat theater includes The William Barnacle Tavern, Sidewalk Of The Stars and The Museum of The American Gangster.

Theatre 80 has relied on generous contributions from patrons and friends to help bridge the gap in the past, and once again we are reaching out to the community for help.

Theatre 80 is dedicated to making performing arts more accessible to both audience members and artists and a huge variety of performers and production companies have made Theatre 80 their artistic home.

You can find more info on the campaign here.

Honoring actor Joseph Sirola at Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place

Photos by Stacie Joy

Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place paid tribute to actor Joseph Sirola yesterday with a ceremony that included clips from his hundreds of TV, film and stage credits.

As the New York Observer described him a few years back:

He’s been a Broadway song-and-dance man, soap-opera regular, business executive, drinking buddy to Richard Burton (a job in itself!), voiceover artist, TV sidekick, movie villain, Shakespearean actor, and a few other things.

More recently he became a Tony-winning producer for "A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder."

While he may not be a household name, people do recognize his voice thanks to shooting more than 10,000 TV commercials. (The Wall Street Journal once referred to him as "the king of voiceovers.")

Sirola, 88, a longtime Upper East Side resident, added his name and handprints to the celebrity “walk of fame” outside 80 St. Mark’s Place last night. His cement imprimatur will join others such as Gloria Swanson, Joan Crawford and Myrna Loy.








[Sirola with his partner Claire Gozzo]

-----

Here's a scene with Sirola (as Reno!) with Clint Eastwood in "Hang 'Em High" from 1968...

Feltman's of Coney Island now open on St. Mark's Place

[Joseph Quinn points to the to-go window at 80 St. Mark's Place.]

As a follow-up to yesterday's post... the Feltman's of Coney Island stand is now open for business at the William Barnacle Tavern at Theatre 80, 80 St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

You can grab a hot dog to go from the sidewalk window or have one inside the Tavern. Feltman's toppings are sauerkraut, chopped onions, shredded cheddar, chili and their own Spicy Apple Cider Vinegar Mustard. (No ketchup or pump cheese, sorry!) They are also selling Coney Island Knishes.

The revived Feltman's brand is owned by brothers and Brooklyn natives Michael and Joseph Quinn.

The Feltman's hours are for now Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Feltman's is named after Charles Feltman, purportedly the inventor of the hot dog as well as the restaurant that was located in Coney Island from 1870-1954.

Feltman’s of Coney Island bringing its hot dogs to the William Barnacle Tavern on St. Mark's Place

The revived Feltman's of Coney Island brand will have its first full-time restaurant space starting tomorrow when owner Michael Quinn opens in the William Barnacle Tavern at Theatre 80, 80 St. Mark's Place.

This is the latest step for Quinn, a Brooklyn native and Coney Island historian, to bring Feltman's back. Last summer, Quinn launched several Feltman's pop-up shops, first at Ditmas Park bar Sycamore then later at Augers Well on St. Mark's Place as well as at the Parkside Lounge on East Houston.

Feltman's is named after Charles Feltman, purportedly the inventor of the hot dog as well as the restaurant that was located in Coney Island from 1870-1954. (Read more about Feltman at the Coney Island History Project here.)

Quinn thinks that he has found a good match with Theatre 80 operator Lorcan Otway.

"Lorcan and I are both native New Yorkers and historians who believe in the preservation of NY history and small businesses. It's not often in this hostile environment that you find a landlord who believes in what you are doing and actually wants you there," Quinn said. "We found out that some of the performers who played at Theatre 80 a century ago got their start as singing waiters at Feltman's in Coney Island like Eddie Cantor."

At Theatre 80, Feltman's takes over for the recently departed Crêpes Canaveral.

Quinn, who works on the project with his brother Joseph, also started selling the packaged hot dogs in several NYC retail outlets yesterday.



And there are still plans for opening a Feltman's restaurant in Coney Island ... though it won't be anywhere near as gargantuan as the original block-long endeavor, billed as the world's largest restaurant in the 1920s.

At Theatre 80 between First Avenue and Second Avenue, the Feltman's hours are for now Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Said Quinn: "Lorcan told me that he loves that fact that Feltman's is going from what was the largest restaurant in the world at Coney Island to the smallest kitchen on St. Mark's Place."

The East Village Folk Festival is tomorrow night at Theatre 80

This info just arrived in the EVG inbox...

Assembling for a grand one-time historical performance, Malcolm Holcombe, Greg Trooper, Diana Jones, David Massengill, Paul Sachs, Amy Allison, Sandy Bell and Alan Kaufman will take the stage on June 19 at Theatre 80 St. Marks ...

Head over to the Theatre 80 website here for more details on the festival and tickets. The show starts at 7 p.m.

Theatre 80 is at 80 St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Someone stole this poster from Theatre 80

We noticed this posted outside Theatre 80, 80 St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue, the other day.

Theatre 80 proprietor Lorcan Otway is understandably plenty upset that someone took this poster for a play directed by his father from the lobby.

He wrote about it on Facebook:

TO WHOEVER STOLE THIS POSTER FROM THEATRE 80 You have taken something with no economic value, but caused immeasurable pain to members of the Otway family. There is no other copy of this poster. You have taken a token of memories few other people share...

And so moving forward...

We have had to remove from the lobby valuable historic pieces, which we shared with the public, and which have been enjoyed by people from around the world.

There is a reward for the return of the poster.

Report: Legal battle over the ownership of 80 St. Mark's Place

[EVG file photo]

DNAinfo looks at the legal battle shaping up between Thomas Otway and his brother Lorcan, proprietor of Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place.

Per DNAinfo:

In court papers filed Dec. 14, the brother, Thomas Otway, also accuses his sibling of coercing their mother, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, into transferring the deed to the property to him in 2010.

“This transaction was not intended to benefit or otherwise made in [Florence’s] best interest, but rather, was undertaken for the self-serving profit and financial gain of [Lorcan] to [Florence’s] corresponding detriment, damage and harm,” Thomas said in the filing in Manhattan Surrogate's Court.

Thomas, a math professor at Yeshiva University who lives in Croton-on-the-Hudson, N.Y., claims that through a trust, he and his brother were supposed to own an equal share in the two-building property at 78-80 St. Mark’s Place.

He took legal action last week, the filing says, after years of negotiations between him and his brother about the property didn’t lead to any tangible results.

For his part, Lorcan Otway told DNAinfo that "all the allegations are false, misleading and will be addressed in a court of law."

Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue houses a theater, the William Barnacle Tavern and the Museum of the American Gangster.

At Sunday night's 2nd Avenue benefit concert at Theatre 80

[Patti Smith and Lenny Kaye]

On Sunday night, an array of performers and musicians came together at Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place for a benefit to aid displaced residents from the deadly gas explosion on Second Avenue on March 26.

According to published reports, the benefit, spearheaded by East Village-based writer Alan Kaufman and artist Jim Storm, raised some $50,000 in donations and ticket sales. The donations raised Sunday night will be managed by the Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES), which has aided displaced residents in the explosion's relief efforts.

Here are a few of the performers from the night via EVG contributor Stacie Joy ...


[Emcee Randy Jones of the Village People]


[Dev Hynes of Blood Orange]


[Mollie King]


[On Ka'a Davis and Ensemble]


[The Bowery Boys]


[Edgar Oliver]


[MOTHXR]


[Kayvon Zand]


[Tammy Faye Starlite]


[Jesse Malin]


[Theatre 80 proprietor Lorcan Otway]


[Alan Kaufman]

Coming together tonight at Theatre 80 to help the victims of the 2nd Avenue explosion

[GVSHP executive director Andrew Berman speaks at a community meeting on April 1 at the William Barnacle Tavern]

Text and photos by EVG contributor Stacie Joy

Tonight's all-volunteer benefit concert for those affected by the deadly Second Avenue explosion has shaped up nicely — and very quickly.

The event is at Theatre 80 starting 8 pm, preceded by a 5 pm public rally led by local activist/artist Penny Arcade.

The sold-out concert, spearheaded by East Village-based writer Alan Kaufman and artist Jim Storm, has pulled together donations (including from Sting and Trudie Styler and Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard) and volunteers both near and far to lend support. The emcee of the event is Randy Jones of the Village People, and scheduled performers include:

Patti Smith
The Blood Oranges
Kayvon Zand
Mollie King
Edgar Oliver, poet
Chris Riffle
David Peel and The Lower East Side
Roderick Romero
Malachy McCourt, writer
Spencer Tunick, photographer
Cast of The Grindr Project
Antony Zito, artist
Pablo Lopez, singer
(Visit the Facebook event page for more details)


[Theatre 80 proprietor Lorcan Otway]

The donations raised tonight will be managed by the Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES), which has aided displaced residents in the explosion's relief efforts.

The concert came together as Kaufman walked by the rubble of the three fallen buildings on Second Avenue. He wondered what he could do to help. Kaufman started talking to friends and acquaintances, and before he knew it, everyone was on board with this idea of a fundraising event. (The idea gelled during a community meeting on April 1 at the William Barnacle Tavern adjacent to Theatre 80.)

An author by trade, he seemed surprised and pleased with all the help he's received as he tries to assist others. Kaufman said he hopes to "raise money for the victims, to go to directly to restoration and recovery," and that he's "exceeded his original hopes 10 times over, money-wise." He's hopeful that people can begin to rebuild with the money raised tonight.

Starting with the 5 pm rally and continuing to the 8 pm performance, Kaufman is excited to see the community get active and help those whose lives were ruined by the tragedy … to join together in the spirit of generosity.

Theatre 80 is located at 80 St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Patti Smith is headlining the East Village relief benefit Sunday at Theatre 80

Author Alan Kaufman, who's helping to organize the fundraiser at Theatre 80 Sunday evening for displaced East Village residents, confirmed to EVG contributor Stacie Joy this afternoon that Patti Smith is now headlining the event.

All the money collected will be donated to the Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES) to help those affected by the deadly gas explosion at 121 Second Ave. on March 26.

The benefit at Theatre 80, 80 St. Marks Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue, will feature “performers and celebrities from the world of music, literature and drama,”per the Facebook event page.

As previously noted, Sting and Trudie Styler donated a sum reported at $36,000 for the benefit.

There are a handful of tickets, ranging from $70 to $150, left. You may order them here.

We'll have more information about the event from Stacie tomorrow.

Image by smial via Wikipedia

Honoring 'Honeymooners' star Joyce Randolph at Theatre 80

On Saturday night, Joyce Randolph, best known for playing Thelma "Trixie" Norton on the TV classic "The Honeymooners," added her name and handprints to the celebrity walk of fame outside Theatre 80 at 80 St. Mark’s Place.

Randolph's cement imprimatur joins others such as Gloria Swanson, Joan Crawford and Myrna Loy.



EVG contributor Stacie Joy, who took these photos, shared this about the 90-year-old Randolph.

"She was witty, sharp, funny and gracious — and endlessly patient with the media requests."

In addition, Penny Arcade gave a sweet introduction and spoke of how Randolph inspired her and about what an ensemble team could create.

In 2010, The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation recognized Theatre 80 with the Village Award for its place in the history of the community. And maybe you can get a drink at the great bar at Theatre 80 — the William Barnacle Tavern.

FREE TO A GOOD HOME

A reader let us know that ... this green thing is sitting outside Theatre 80 at 80 St. Mark's Place ... and it is free right now — 11:14 a.m. ... looks like it could hold up to four roommates, so there may be some income potential.

The 8th annual Anarchist Film Festival is today

From the Festival's description:

The AFF will be screening a variety of short films that celebrate the spirit of resistance and liberation amid the increasing criminalization of dissent around the world. The AFF, is a participatory event where the screenings spark vigorous discussion about the possibilities of political change and cultural transformation.

Find more info about the program here. Theatre 80 is at 80 St. Mark's Place just west of First Avenue.

An Evening with Alan Cumming at Theatre 80

Helping celebrate Theatre 80’s 50th year, actor Alan Cumming added his name and handprints to the celebrity “walk of fame” outside 80 St. Mark’s Place last night. His cement imprimatur joins others such as Gloria Swanson, Joan Crawford and Myrna Loy.



Cumming, an East Village resident, was introduced by actress Arlene Dahl and theater owner Lorcan Otway.



In 2010, The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation recognized Theatre 80 with the Village Award for its place in the history of the community.

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

What about 'Mildred Fierce'?

EVG contributor Joann Jovinelly saw a performance last weekend of Ryan Landry's play, "Mildred Fierce," a musical black comedic parody of the 1945 film classic, "Mildred Pierce," starring Joan Crawford. Joann shared a few photos as well as a quick review:

While there's plenty of room for campy humor, the zingers go beyond the obvious, making for a well-rounded and thoughtful production that is sophisticated and subtle as well as over-the-top absurd. Much attention was placed on the details as well as the polished dramatic performances and musical dance numbers featuring the Gold Dust Orphans. There was a good dose of creative puppetry, too, and a cache of clever surprises.

"Mildred Fierce" plays on Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 27 at Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.

An assault at Theatre 80

[EVG file photo]

Lorcan Otway, who owns and operates Theatre 80 and William Barnacle Tavern on St. Mark's Place, shared the following with us... We first saw him post the details on Facebook.

Here is a slightly condensed version of the incident:

On Friday, just after 4 p.m., three young men attempted to extort $100 from the owner of the theatre, Lorcan Otway, to return a phone they had, which had been stolen from an employee. Mr Otway pocketed the phone and thanked them and said that we did not reward theft.

As the three advanced to take back the phone, Otway's wife, Eugenie Gilmore-Otway, a lawyer, snapped a photograph of the instigator of the event, "Mark." He then snatched her phone and the three ran for the door.

Lorcan pinned the three against the door, and as they pushed out onto the street, he wrestled away his wife's stolen phone. One of the three, coming up behind Otway, shoved him head first into the Citi Bike racks [across St. Mark's], causing him a head and knee injury."

Upon fleeing, the men allegedly hit Genie with their car. She sustained a broken ankle and four breaks to her shoulder as well as cuts to the face.

According to Otway, the police have the make and model of the car ... as well as the license plate number, a phone number for "Mark" ... "the staff and management of Theatre 80 hopes for a speedy arrest and settlement of this matter."

Home for the holidays at Theatre 80

Earlier this week, I noticed that a new sign went up outside Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place for the William Barnacle Tavern...

And yesterday, Lorcan and company put up some holiday gear...

Anyway, I realized that I hadn't written about the Tavern since before it opened. For this post in September 2009, proprietor Lorcan Otway, whose parents built and operated Theatre 80 starting in 1964, gave me a tour of the space. (You can read that post here.)

But Jeremiah Moss discussed the Tavern in a post back in January, noting:

The tavern is other-worldly. You feel like you've come upon a weird oasis, as if you've slipped through the time-space barrier and landed in some alternate reality. It's not the absinthe, because you feel it the moment you walk in. Everyone else feels it, too. Newcomers step through the door with exclamations of relief — a quiet bar in the East Village!

Tavern aside, there's a lot of interesting things happening at Theatre 80. Check out their website here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Barnacle Bill dies

Theatre 80 to remain a theater: "We intend to keep the East Village a vibrant arts community"

Pearl Theatre relocating; what's next for 80 St. Mark's Place?

This week; Theatre 80's documentary series and short films from Occupy Wall Street

From the EV Grieve inbox...



Theatre 80 and WingFlix present a documentary series of films from around the world and shorts from Occupy Wall Street. Tickets are $10 and may be ordered online here. Come in and have a drink at Theatre80’s William Barnacle Tavern and talk to the filmmakers. Charles Krezell curates this series.

Tuesday, December 13 @8.00pm

“The Orange Chronicles” 2006, documentary 98 minutes Ukraine

The 2004 Orange Revolution in Ukraine was a massive demonstration of people for democracy and against electoral fraud. Millions braved freezing weather conditions to fight against stolen elections.

THE ORANGE CHRONICLES is a powerfully moving and unique examination of Ukraine's Orange Revolution from the perspective of an intrepid Ukrainian-American filmmaker, recording the build-up to what turned out to be one of the most astonishing bloodless political turnarounds in recent history. Filmmaker, Damian Kolodiy will attend.

Wednesday, December 14 @7:30pm

“Granito, how to nail a dictator” 2011, documentary 103 minutes, Guatemala, Spain, U.S.

GRANITO is a story of destinies joined by Guatemala’s past, and how a documentary film intertwined with a nation’s turbulent history emerges as an active player in the present.

Thursday, December 15 @7:30pm

“Bigger than the Beatles, Obama and the Peeps” documentary 81 minutes, Washington, D.C.

Bigger than the Beatles takes you to Washington, D.C. for the week of January 20, 2009, and Inauguration of Barack Obama. It captures the energy and spirit of that historic event as seen through the eyes of Everyday People.

Check out Theatre 80's documentary series and short films from Occupy Wall Street

From the EV Grieve inbox...



Theatre 80 and WingFlix present a documentary series of films from around the world and shorts from Occupy Wall Street. Tickets are $10 and may be ordered online here. Come in and have a drink at Theatre80’s William Barnacle Tavern and talk to the filmmakers. Charles Krezell curates this series.

Monday, December 5 @7:30pm

“The Battle for Brooklyn” 2011, 93 minute documentary. Brooklyn

BATTLE FOR BROOKLYN follows the story of reluctant activist Daniel Goldstein as he struggles to save his home and community from being demolished to make way for a professional basketball arena and the densest real estate development in U.S. history. To be shown with “Month One” 13 minute an Occupy Wall Street documentary short. Filmmaker, Michael Galinsky will attend.


Tuesday, December 6 @7:30pm

“Medium Hot” 2008, 88 minutes experiment film that straddles the line of documentary and fiction. NYC

MEDIUM HOT is a digital update of Haskell Wexler's 60s classic film, MEDIUM COOL. Ethan and Mac take a road trip to Manhattan for the Republican National Convention. They plan to party, sleep in their car and make fun of the political process. But when they meet Naomi, a passionate political activist, they are introduced into the underground world of radical independent media. Filmmaker, Charles Krezell will attend. To be shown with “Right here All Over” 9 minute an Occupy Wall Street documentary by Alex Mallis.


Wednesday, December 7 @7:30pm

“Toxic Soup” 2010 documentary 88 minutes West Virginia, Kentucky

It’s the politics of pollution as giant corporations manipulate the system to delay environmental reform, endangering the lives of people all over the world for increased profits. “Toxic Soup” shares the stories of everyday folks fighting to keep their blood, water and air safe from pollution. With “Mountain Man”, a 10 minute documentary short. Co-Producer Sergei Krasikov will attend.


Tuesday, December 13 @8.00pm

“The Orange Chronicles” 2006, documentary 98 minutes Ukraine

The 2004 Orange Revolution in Ukraine was a massive demonstration of people for democracy and against electoral fraud. Millions braved freezing weather conditions to fight against stolen elections.

THE ORANGE CHRONICLES is a powerfully moving and unique examination of Ukraine's Orange Revolution from the perspective of an intrepid Ukrainian-American filmmaker, recording the build-up to what turned out to be one of the most astonishing bloodless political turnarounds in recent history. Filmmaker, Damian Kolodiy will attend.

Wednesday, December 14 @7:30pm

“Granito, how to nail a dictator” 2011, documentary 103 minutes, Guatemala, Spain, U.S.

GRANITO is a story of destinies joined by Guatemala’s past, and how a documentary film intertwined with a nation’s turbulent history emerges as an active player in the present.

Thursday, December 15 @7:30pm

“Bigger than the Beatles, Obama and the Peeps” documentary 81 minutes, Washington, D.C.

Bigger than the Beatles takes you to Washington, D.C. for the week of January 20, 2009, and Inauguration of Barack Obama. It captures the energy and spirit of that historic event as seen through the eyes of Everyday People.