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{{good article}}
{{Short description|Broadway theater and former nightclub}}
{{About|the Broadway theater and former nightclub
|the 1998 drama|54 (film)
|the 2018 documentary|Studio 54 (film)
|the Las Vegas nightclubs|Studio 54 (Las Vegas)
}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Studio 54
| image = Studio 54 logo.svg
| image_size = 180
| caption =
| address = 254 West [[54th Street (Manhattan)|54th Street]]
| city = [[Manhattan]], New York
| country = United States
| coordinates = {{Coord|40|45|51.7|N|73|59|1.6|W|type:landmark_region:US-NY|display=title,inline}}
| architect = [[Eugene De Rosa]]<ref name=b1165/>
| owner = [[Roundabout Theatre Company]]
| capacity = 1,006 (519&nbsp;orchestra/487&nbsp;mezzanine)<ref name=roundabout-seating/>
| type = [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]
| opened =  {{Start date and age|1927|11|07|p=yes}}
| yearsactive = 1927–1933, 1939–1940, 1998–present (as Broadway theater)
| rebuilt =
| othernames = Gallo Opera House (1927–1930)<br>New Yorker Theatre (1930–1933, 1939–1942)<br>Casino de Paree (1933–1935)<br>[[Works Progress Administration|WPA]] Federal Music Theatre (1937–1939)<br>CBS Playhouse No. 4 (1942–1949)<br>CBS Studio 52 (1949–1976)
| production =
| website = {{URL|https://www.roundabouttheatre.org/theatres-and-venues/studio-54/|roundabouttheatre.org}}
| publictransit = [[New York City Subway]]: {{bulleted list
|[[50th Street (IND lines)|50th Street/Eighth Avenue]] ({{NYCS Eighth south local day}})
|[[50th Street (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|50th Street/Broadway]] ({{NYCS Broadway-Seventh local day}})
|[[Seventh Avenue station (IND lines)|Seventh Avenue/53rd Street]] ({{NYCS 53rd-Seventh}})
|[[57th Street–Seventh Avenue (BMT Broadway Line)|57th Street–Seventh Avenue]] ({{NYCS Broadway}})
}}
}}

'''Studio 54''' is a [[Broadway theatre|Broadway theater]] and former nightclub at 254 West [[54th Street (Manhattan)|54th Street]] in the [[Midtown Manhattan]] neighborhood of [[New York City]], New York, U.S. Opened as the '''Gallo Opera House''' in 1927, it served as a CBS [[broadcasting|broadcast studio]] in the mid-20th century.  [[Steve Rubell]] and [[Ian Schrager]] opened the Studio 54 [[nightclub]], retaining much of the former [[theatrical]] and broadcasting fixtures, inside the venue in 1977. [[Roundabout Theatre Company]] renovated the space into a Broadway house in 1998.

The producer [[Fortune Gallo]] announced plans for an [[opera house]] in 1926, hiring [[Eugene De Rosa]] as the architect. The Gallo Opera House opened November&nbsp;8, 1927, but soon went bankrupt and was renamed the New Yorker Theatre. The space also operated as the Casino de Paree nightclub, then the Palladium Music Hall, before the [[Federal Music Project]] staged productions at the theater for three years starting in 1937. [[CBS]] began using the venue as a [[soundstage]] in 1942, then as a [[television studio]] until 1975.

Schrager and Rubell opened the Studio 54 nightclub on April&nbsp;26, 1977, as [[disco]] was gaining popularity in the U.S. Infamous for its celebrity guest lists, quixotic entry policies, extravagant events, rampant [[club drug|drug use]], and sexual [[hedonism]], Studio 54 closed in 1980 after Schrager and Rubell were convicted of [[tax evasion]]. A scaled-back version of the nightclub continued under new management before becoming [[The Ritz (rock club)|the Ritz]] rock club in 1989, then the Cabaret Royale bar in 1994.

The Roundabout Theatre Company renovated the space in 1998 to relocate its production of the musical ''[[Cabaret (musical)|Cabaret]]'', which ran at Studio&nbsp;54 until 2004. The modern theater has since hosted multiple productions each season. The main auditorium, with 1,006 seats on two levels, is complemented by two sister [[cabaret]] venues: Upstairs at 54 on the second floor since 2001, and [[54&nbsp;Below]] in the basement since 2012. The heyday of the 1970s club features in numerous exhibitions, films, and albums, with memorabilia from the nightclub appearing at auctions.

== <span class="anchor" id="Theater spaces"></span>Design ==
[[File:Studio 54 New York Cabaret 6.jpg|thumb|Interior of the theater during the production of the musical ''Cabaret'']]
Studio 54 is located at 254 West [[54th Street (Manhattan)|54th Street]] in the [[Midtown Manhattan]] neighborhood of [[New York City]], New York, U.S.<ref name="Katz h950">{{cite book | last=Katz | first=Chuck | title=Manhattan on Film 2: More Walking Tours of Location Sites in the Big Apple | publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation | date=2002 | isbn=978-0-87910-975-2 | page=145}}</ref><ref name="Alleman e161">{{cite book |last=Alleman |first=Richard |title=New York: The Movie Lover's Guide: The Ultimate Insider Tour of Movie New York |date=March 6, 2013 |publisher=Crown |isbn=978-0-8041-3778-2 |pages=141-142}}</ref> Designed by [[Eugene De Rosa]] as the Gallo Opera House, it contained 1,400 seats when it opened in 1927.<ref name="nyt-1926-07-09" /><ref name="p1677032682" /><ref name="p1031794627" /> De Rosa's original plans called for lounges, restrooms, and [[promenades]] on three stories, as well as an opera museum below the primary floors.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 22, 1926 |title=Office Building for New Gallo Theatre: Sixteen-story Structure for San Carlo Company in Fifty-Fourth Street |work=[[The New York Times]] |page=RE1 |id={{ProQuest|103750752}}}}</ref> By 1933, when it was being used as the Casino de Paree nightclub, the theater had 650 seats on the orchestra level and 500 seats in the balcony.<ref name="p1529088997" /> [[CBS]] documents show that, when the theater was used as CBS Studio 52 in the mid-20th century, it had 828 seats on three levels: 312 in the orchestra, 371 in the balcony, and 145 in a [[mezzanine]].<ref name="Ellerbee p. 52">{{harvnb|Ellerbee|2016|p=52|ps=.}}</ref> The modern-day theater has 1,006 seats across two levels: 519&nbsp;in the orchestra and 487&nbsp;in the balcony.<ref name="roundabout-seating">{{Cite web |title=Rent a Venue: Studio 54 |url=http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/Your-Visit/Rent-a-Venue/Studio-54.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916000830/http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/Your-Visit/Rent-a-Venue/Studio-54.aspx |archive-date=September 16, 2016 |access-date=July 10, 2014 |website=[[Roundabout Theatre Company]]}}</ref> The theater contained nightclub tables during the late 20th century, which were removed in 1998 after Studio 54's re-conversion into a theater and replaced with [[rake (theatre)|raked]] seating.<ref name="Playbill At This Theatre" />

Ida Louise Killam designed the original interior with a gold, blue, and rose [[Color scheme|palette]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 10, 1927 |title=New Gallo Theatre.: Woman Decorator Will Assist in Itl Interior Equipment |work=[[The New York Times]] |page=RE1 |id={{ProQuest|104137164}}}}</ref> One early observer described the theater as having "a [[Samuel Roxy Rothafel|Roxy]] foyer and a [[Plitt Theatres|Paramount]] promenade".<ref name="nyt-1989-04-05" /> The orchestra seats were originally divided by five aisles. The orchestra-level walls were [[Cladding (construction)|clad]] with [[Walnut (wood)|walnut]], and the trimmings at balcony level and in the mezzanine lounge were also made of walnut. The [[vaulted ceiling]] contained a dome measuring {{convert|50|ft}} across, as well as indirect lighting.<ref name="nyt-1927-07-20">{{Cite news |date=July 20, 1927 |title=Gallo Opening Sept. 26.; First Offering in New Theatre Will Be the Opera Company. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/07/20/archives/gallo-opening-sept-26-first-offering-in-new-theatre-will-be-the.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913165351/https://www.nytimes.com/1927/07/20/archives/gallo-opening-sept-26-first-offering-in-new-theatre-will-be-the.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> This dome is decorated with medallions.<ref name="nyt-1989-04-05" /> According to CBS documents, Studio 54's [[proscenium]] arch measures {{convert|27|ft|0|in}} high and {{convert|43|ft|8|in}} wide. There was a fly system {{convert|58|ft}} above the stage.<ref name="Ellerbee p. 52" /> Backstage were six dressing rooms, as well as a {{convert|15|by|40|ft|adj=on}} rehearsal space at stage left.<ref name="Ellerbee p. 53">{{harvnb|Ellerbee|2016|p=53|ps=.}}</ref>

To avoid disrupting the construction of the [[New York City Subway]]'s [[IND Eighth Avenue Line|Eighth Avenue Line]], structural engineer David M. Oltarsh placed the Gallo Opera House's foundation, orchestra, and balcony within an enclosure that was suspended from the theater building's roof.<ref name="p1113016673">{{Cite news |date=August 13, 1926 |title=New Gallo Theater Will Swing in a Cradle |work=[[New York Herald Tribune]] |page=26 |id={{ProQuest|1113016673}}}}</ref> The modern mezzanine-level promenade has an exhibit with information on the theater's current production.<ref name="Playbill At This Theatre" /> The theater also contains a bar in its lobby, which is a tribute to the former Studio 54 nightclub.<ref name="Playbill 2017">{{Cite web |date=July 26, 2017 |title=Step Inside Broadway's Studio 54 |url=https://playbill.com/gallery/step-inside-broadways-studio-54 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914185641/https://playbill.com/gallery/step-inside-broadways-studio-54 |archive-date=September 14, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref>

=== 54 Below ===
{{Main|54 Below}}

The cabaret club [[54 Below]] opened in Studio 54's basement on June 5, 2012.<ref name="nyt-2022-06-03">{{Cite news |last=Gardner |first=Elysa |date=June 3, 2022 |title=Broadway's Beloved Basement Club, Feinstein's/54 Below, Turns 10 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/03/arts/music/feinsteins-54-below-anniversary.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714145559/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/03/arts/music/feinsteins-54-below-anniversary.html |archive-date=July 14, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="Franklin 2017">{{Cite web |last=Franklin |first=Marc J. |date=June 7, 2017 |title=See the Feinstein's/54 Below Star-Studded 5th Anniversary Celebration |url=https://playbill.com/article/see-the-feinsteins-54-below-star-studded-5th-anniversary-celebration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127021028/https://www.playbill.com/article/see-the-feinsteins-54-below-star-studded-5th-anniversary-celebration |archive-date=November 27, 2021 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref> It was designed by architect Richard H. Lewis, set designer [[John Lee Beatty]], lighting designer [[Ken Billington]], and sound designer [[Peter Hylenski]].<ref name="nyt-2012-05-31">{{Cite news |last=Piepenburg |first=Erik |date=May 31, 2012 |title=A Broadway Hangout, Old Chum |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/01/theater/54-below-a-cabaret-club-for-broadway-lovers-to-open.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714145620/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/01/theater/54-below-a-cabaret-club-for-broadway-lovers-to-open.html |archive-date=July 14, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> A staircase from ground level leads to a rectangular room with leather and wood decorations, as well as a red, purple, and brown color palette. The room contains 140 seats in a cabaret-style arrangement and 16 seats in a bar to the right.<ref name="nyt-2012-05-31" /> Originally, 54 Below presented shows every day of the week,<ref name="nyt-2012-05-31" /> with 4,000 performances in its first five years.<ref name="Franklin 2017" /> In partnership with musician [[Michael Feinstein]], the club was renamed Feinstein's/54 Below in 2015;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Holden |first=Stephen |date=September 2, 2015 |title=Michael Feinstein and the Club 54 Below Agree to a Partnership |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/03/arts/music/michael-feinstein-and-the-club-54-below-agree-to-a-partnership.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718100936/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/03/arts/music/michael-feinstein-and-the-club-54-below-agree-to-a-partnership.html |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> the club reverted to the name 54 Below when the partnership ended in July 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gardner |first=Elysa |date=July 7, 2022 |title=Cabaret Champion Michael Feinstein Teams With Café Carlyle |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/07/arts/music/michael-feinstein-cafe-carlyle.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707205050/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/07/arts/music/michael-feinstein-cafe-carlyle.html |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

===Upstairs at Studio 54===
[[Josh Hadar]] of Allied Partners created a 175-seat cabaret space on the second floor, called Upstairs at Studio 54.<ref name="nyt-2003-10-01" /> The space opened in February 2001<ref name="p408881238">{{Cite news |last1=Wloszczyna |first1=Susan |last2=Gundersen |first2=Edna |last3=Gardner |first3=Elysa |date=February 9, 2001 |title=Dundee isn't done yet – he's on the loose in L.A. |work=USA Today |page=01E |id={{ProQuest|408881238}}}}</ref> and is accessed via its own entrance at ground level.<ref name="nyt-2003-10-01" /> This space was used exclusively for special events.<ref name="Agenda New York 2004 p.">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9kAsAQAAMAAJ |title=Agenda New York |publisher=Agenda:USA, Incorporated |year=2004 |page=48 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425131048/https://books.google.com/books?id=9kAsAQAAMAAJ |archive-date=April 25, 2022 |url-status=live |issue=v. 16}}</ref> Performances occurred during nights when plays were not being staged. The musical ''[[Newsical]]'' was staged there from October 2004<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gelder |first=Lawrence Van |date=October 20, 2004 |title=Theater Reviews; 'Newsical' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/20/theater/arts/theater-reviews-newsical.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922131757/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/20/theater/arts/theater-reviews-newsical.html |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> to April 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 17, 2019 |title=Newsical (Upstairs at Studio 54, 2004) |url=https://playbill.com/production/newsicalupstairs-at-studio-54-2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922131824/https://playbill.com/production/newsicalupstairs-at-studio-54-2004 |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref>

==<span class="anchor" id="History"></span>Early history==

=== Gallo Opera House ===
In July 1926, theatrical impresario [[Fortune Gallo]] leased a site at 254 West 54th Street and hired Eugene De Rosa to design a 16-story office building at the site, with a 1,400-seat theater at its base. Z. D. Berry and Robert Podgur would build the venue at an estimated cost of $2 million.<ref name="nyt-1926-07-09">{{Cite news |date=July 9, 1926 |title=Gallo Acquires Theatre of His Own; Leases House in 54th St. For San Carlo and Theatrical Productions. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1926/07/09/archives/gallo-acquires-theatre-of-his-own-leases-house-in-54th-st-for-san.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913153757/https://www.nytimes.com/1926/07/09/archives/gallo-acquires-theatre-of-his-own-leases-house-in-54th-st-for-san.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="p1677032682">{{Cite magazine |date=July 9, 1926 |title=Site Leased For New $2,000,000 Theatre And Opera House: Fortune Gallo, Impresario Of San Carlo Company, Signs Contract.—Structure To Open About Jan. 1 |magazine=Women's Wear |pages=29 |volume=32 |issue=159 |id={{ProQuest|1677032682}}}}</ref><ref name="p1031794627">{{Cite magazine |date=July 17, 1926 |title=Fortune Gallo To Have His Own Opera House |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=9 |volume=38 |issue=29 |id={{ProQuest|1031794627}}}}</ref> Gallo planned to present the San Carlo Grand Opera Company's productions at the theater during the autumn, renting it out for [[Legitimate theatre|legitimate]] shows at other times.<ref name="p1031794627" /> The venue was originally supposed to open in January 1927,<ref name="nyt-1926-07-09" /><ref name="p1677032682" /> but this was delayed because the opera company had an extended engagement in San Francisco.<ref name="p1113520051">{{Cite news |date=February 6, 1927 |title=Gallo Theater to Open Early In September; Company in West |work=[[New York Herald Tribune]] |page=E10 |id={{ProQuest|1113520051}}}}</ref> Prior to the venue's opening, Gallo transferred his interest in the San Carlo Company to his nephew Aurelio Gallo, allowing the elder Gallo to focus on operating the new theater.<ref name="p1113556376">{{Cite news |date=September 7, 1927 |title=San Carlo Opera Under Aurelio Gallo's Direction: Fortune Transfers Interest to Nephew to Devote Time to His New Theater |work=[[New York Herald Tribune]] |page=20 |id={{ProQuest|1113556376}}}}</ref>

The opera house opened on November 8, 1927, with the San Carlo Company's large-scale production of ''[[La bohème]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 8, 1927 |title=San Carlo Opera Opens New House With ''La Boheme'': Fortune Gallo Honored By Company—Performance Well Done And Received With Enthusiasm |work=[[Women's Wear Daily]] |pages=6, 19 |volume=35 |issue=110 |id={{ProQuest|1654357486}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 8, 1927 |title=San Carlo Opera Opens New House: Gives a Dedicatory Performance of Puccini's ''La Boheme'' to an Applauding Throng |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/11/08/archives/san-carlo-opera-opens-new-house-gives-a-dedicatory-performance-of.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213143802/https://www.nytimes.com/1927/11/08/archives/san-carlo-opera-opens-new-house-gives-a-dedicatory-performance-of.html |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The Gallo was one of three legitimate theaters to open in New York City during 1927; at the time, the city had over 200 legitimate theaters.<ref name="p130386768">{{Cite news |date=August 1, 1927 |title=The Theatre: Is Broadway Overbuilt? |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |page=3 |id={{ProQuest|130386768}}}}</ref> The San Carlo Company performed for two weeks.<ref name="p1113659398">{{Cite news |date=November 20, 1927 |title=Brailowsky Gives Brilliant, Recital; Vigorous at Piano: Young Russian Chooses His Program From Mozart, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, De Falla and Others |work=[[New York Herald Tribune]] |page=24 |id={{ProQuest|1113659398}}}}</ref><ref name="p1031835745">{{Cite magazine |date=November 5, 1927 |title=American Concert Field: Gallo Opera To Open New Theater in New York |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=27 |volume=39 |issue=45 |id={{ProQuest|1031835745}}}}</ref> A revival of the play ''[[Electra (Sophocles play)|Electra]]'' opened at the Gallo that December,<ref name="The Broadway League 1927a">{{Cite web |last=The Broadway League |date=December 1, 1927 |title=Electra – Broadway Play – 1927 Revival |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/electra-10509 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613163058/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/electra-10509 |archive-date=June 13, 2021 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=IBDB}}<br />{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2015 |title=Electra (Broadway, Studio 54, 1927) |url=https://playbill.com/production/electra-gallo-opera-house-vault-0000004945 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618181833/https://playbill.com/production/electra-gallo-opera-house-vault-0000004945 |archive-date=June 18, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="p1131828249">{{Cite news |last=Ruhl |first=Arthur |date=December 2, 1927 |title='Electra' Vivid In Its Revival By Miss Anglin: Classic Drama of Sophocles Staged al Gallo's and Played With Due Respect to Tradition and Spirit |work=[[New York Herald Tribune]] |page=19 |id={{ProQuest|1131828249}}}}</ref> followed the same month by ''[[Juno and the Paycock]]''.<ref name="The Broadway League 1927b">{{Cite web |last=The Broadway League |date=December 19, 1927 |title=Juno and the Paycock – Broadway Play – 1927 Revival |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/juno-and-the-paycock-10518 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913165348/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/juno-and-the-paycock-10518 |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=IBDB}}<br />{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2015 |title=Juno and the Paycock (Broadway, Studio 54, 1927) |url=https://playbill.com/production/juno-and-the-paycock-gallo-opera-house-vault-0000004944 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913165342/https://playbill.com/production/juno-and-the-paycock-gallo-opera-house-vault-0000004944 |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="p1132285417">{{Cite news |last=Ruhl |first=Arthur |date=December 20, 1927 |title=Irish Players Shift to Gallo in O'Casey's 'Juno and Paycock': Long Stretches of Drama, Billed as Tragedy, but Set in Key of Broad Farce, Evoke Constant Laughter |work=[[New York Herald Tribune]] |page=16 |id={{ProQuest|1132285417}}}}</ref> A $660,000 [[mortgage]] was placed on the theater building in January 1928.<ref name="nyt-1928-01-19">{{Cite news |date=January 19, 1928 |title=Gallo Theatre Mortgaged. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/01/19/archives/gallo-theatre-mortgaged.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913165342/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/01/19/archives/gallo-theatre-mortgaged.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The [[American Opera Company]] opened its season there the same month,<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 18, 1928 |title=American Opera Gives 'Marriage of Figaro'; Large Audience Generously Applauds Work of New Company Here. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/01/18/archives/american-opera-gives-marriage-of-figaro-large-audience-generously.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913165351/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/01/18/archives/american-opera-gives-marriage-of-figaro-large-audience-generously.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> performing there until March.<ref name="p1114336594">{{Cite news |date=March 4, 1928 |title=American Opera Co. Ends Season With Big Crowds: Gives 'Carmen' in Afternoon and 'Fanst' at Night |work=[[New York Herald Tribune]] |page=17 |id={{ProQuest|1114336594}}}}</ref> Ballet Moderne also performed there for two weeks in April 1928.<ref name="The Broadway League 1928">{{Cite web |last=The Broadway League |date=April 9, 1928 |title=Ballet Moderne – Broadway Special – Original |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/ballet-moderne-456671 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913165342/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/ballet-moderne-456671 |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=IBDB}}<br />{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2015 |title=Ballet Moderne (Broadway, Studio 54, 1928) |url=https://playbill.com/production/ballet-moderne-gallo-opera-house-vault-0000004943 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913165346/https://playbill.com/production/ballet-moderne-gallo-opera-house-vault-0000004943 |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref>
[[File:54-ny.jpg|left|thumb|Studio 54, originally the Gallo Opera House, is placed within the base of an office building at 254 West 54th Street.]]
Philip Goodman leased the theater for five years in mid-1928.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 15, 1928 |title=Goodman Leases Gallo Theatre. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/05/15/archives/goodman-leases-gallo-theatre.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913165353/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/05/15/archives/goodman-leases-gallo-theatre.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="p1031870122">{{Cite magazine |date=June 2, 1928 |title=Goodman Gets Gallo Theater; Will Do Youmans' Musical |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=11 |volume=40 |issue=22 |id={{ProQuest|1031870122}}}}</ref> Goodman used the theater to stage a production of [[Laurence Stallings]] and [[Oscar Hammerstein II]]'s musical ''Rainbow'',<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 7, 1928 |title="Rainbow" at the Gallo Nov. 20. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/11/07/archives/rainbow-at-the-gallo-nov-20.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913165352/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/11/07/archives/rainbow-at-the-gallo-nov-20.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> which ran for less than a month in late 1928.<ref name="The Broadway League 1928b">{{Cite web |last=The Broadway League |date=November 21, 1928 |title=Rainbow – Broadway Musical – Original |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/rainbow-10785 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112195325/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/rainbow-10785 |archive-date=November 12, 2021 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=IBDB}}<br />{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2015 |title=Rainbow (Broadway, Studio 54, 1928) |url=https://playbill.com/production/rainbow-gallo-opera-house-vault-0000004942 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913170846/https://playbill.com/production/rainbow-gallo-opera-house-vault-0000004942 |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 12, 1928 |title='Rainbow' to Be Taken Off; Goodman Will End Run of Musical Production at Gallo This Week. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/12/12/archives/rainbow-to-be-taken-off-goodman-will-end-run-of-musical-production.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913165346/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/12/12/archives/rainbow-to-be-taken-off-goodman-will-end-run-of-musical-production.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> In the meantime, the theater also hosted events such as dance performances,<ref>See, for instance: {{Cite news |date=December 3, 1928 |title=La Argentina Seen in Six New Dances; Huge Audience Cheers Artist-- Michio Ito Gives a Fine Program. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/12/03/archives/la-argentina-seen-in-six-new-dances-huge-audience-cheers-artist.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913165353/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/12/03/archives/la-argentina-seen-in-six-new-dances-huge-audience-cheers-artist.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}; {{Cite news |date=December 17, 1928 |title=Doris Niles Returns; Dancer and Company at a Disadvantage After Long Tour. |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/12/17/archives/doris-niles-returns-dancer-and-company-at-a-disadvantage-after-long.html |access-date=September 13, 2022 |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913165351/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/12/17/archives/doris-niles-returns-dancer-and-company-at-a-disadvantage-after-long.html |url-status=live}}; {{Cite news |date=February 6, 1929 |title=New Dance Series by Kreutzberg. |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/02/06/archives/new-dance-series-by-kreutzberg.html |access-date=September 13, 2022 |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913165356/https://www.nytimes.com/1929/02/06/archives/new-dance-series-by-kreutzberg.html |url-status=live}}</ref> a violin recital,<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 11, 1929 |title=Breton Violin Recital; Young Artist's Program Includes Several Novelties. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/02/11/archives/breton-violin-recital-young-artists-program-includes-several.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913165348/https://www.nytimes.com/1929/02/11/archives/breton-violin-recital-young-artists-program-includes-several.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> and a choir performance.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 4, 1929 |title=Hall Johnson Negro Choir Sings. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/02/04/archives/hall-johnson-negro-choir-sings.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913165342/https://www.nytimes.com/1929/02/04/archives/hall-johnson-negro-choir-sings.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Radiant Productions leased the theater in September 1929, with plans to present a dozen plays for three weeks each.<ref name="p1111662754">{{Cite news |date=September 4, 1929 |title=National Chain Theaters Subsidiary Enters Field: Radiant Productions to Offer Twelve Plays al Gallo |work=[[New York Herald Tribune]] |page=12 |id={{ProQuest|1111662754}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1929-09-04">{{Cite news |date=September 4, 1929 |title=Would Give 12 Plays at Gallo at $2 Top; Radiant Productions, Inc., Also Plans to Operate Theatres in Other Cities With $1.50 Seats. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/09/04/archives/would-give-12-plays-at-gallo-at-2-top-radiant-productions-inc-also.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913165349/https://www.nytimes.com/1929/09/04/archives/would-give-12-plays-at-gallo-at-2-top-radiant-productions-inc-also.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Their first and only production, ''Ladies Don't Lie'', was a critical failure.<ref name="p1031918994">{{Cite magazine |date=October 26, 1929 |title=William R. Kane Leases Gallo Theater For Mitchell Revival |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=5 |volume=41 |issue=43 |id={{ProQuest|1031918994}}}}</ref> That October, Radiant transferred its lease to William R. Kane,<ref name="p1031918994" /> who staged a short-lived revival of the comedy ''[[A Tailor-Made Man (play)|A Tailor-Made Man]]'' there.<ref name="The Broadway League 1929b">{{Cite web |last=The Broadway League |date=October 21, 1929 |title=A Tailor-Made Man – Broadway Play – 1929 Revival |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/a-tailor-made-man-10966 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913170848/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/a-tailor-made-man-10966 |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=IBDB}}<br />{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2015 |title=A Tailor-made Man (Broadway, Studio 54, 1929) |url=https://playbill.com/productions/a-tailor-made-manbroadway-studio-54-1929 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519200525/https://playbill.com/productions/a-tailor-made-manbroadway-studio-54-1929 |archive-date=May 19, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref> At a [[foreclosure]] auction in December 1929, the theater's [[mortgagee]] Hemphill Realty Corporation bought the theater for $1,045,000.<ref name="nyt-1929-12-18">{{Cite news |date=December 18, 1929 |title=Gallo Theatre Sold; Planitiff Bids $1,045,000 on Playhouse and Adjoining Site. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/12/18/archives/gallo-theatre-sold-planitiff-bids-1045000-on-playhouse-and.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913165345/https://www.nytimes.com/1929/12/18/archives/gallo-theatre-sold-planitiff-bids-1045000-on-playhouse-and.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="p1112018507">{{Cite news |date=December 18, 1929 |title=Gallo Theater Sold at Auction |work=[[New York Herald Tribune]] |page=46 |id={{ProQuest|1112018507}}}}</ref>

=== New Yorker Theatre ===
Gallo sold his lease to an unidentified buyer in January 1930, as he wanted to focus on operating a radio station.<ref name="nyt-1930-01-15">{{Cite news |date=January 15, 1930 |title=Fortune Gallo Sells His Theatre Lease: Producer to Remain Active in Grand Opera, However—name of Purchaser Not Revealed. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/01/15/archives/fortune-gallo-sells-his-theatre-lease-producer-to-remain-active-in.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913182627/https://www.nytimes.com/1930/01/15/archives/fortune-gallo-sells-his-theatre-lease-producer-to-remain-active-in.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="p1114345595">{{Cite news |date=January 15, 1931 |title=Fortune Gallo Disposes Of Lease on His Theater: San Carlo Opera Impresario to Direct Radio Station |work=[[New York Herald Tribune]] |page=17 |id={{ProQuest|1114345595}}}}</ref> Richard Herndon took over as the theater's managing director, renaming it the New Yorker Theatre the next month.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 15, 1930 |title=Gallo to Be New Yorker Theatre. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/02/15/archives/gallo-to-be-new-yorker-theatre.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913182623/https://www.nytimes.com/1930/02/15/archives/gallo-to-be-new-yorker-theatre.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="p1113772033">{{Cite news |date=February 15, 1930 |title=Hart House Quartett Plays |work=[[New York Herald Tribune]] |page=6 |id={{ProQuest|1113772033}}}}</ref> The first production at the renamed theater was the [[Henrik Ibsen]] play ''The Vikings'',<ref name="Bloom2007">{{Cite Routledge Broadway |page=191}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Atkinson |first=J. Brooks |date=May 13, 1930 |title=The Play; Warriors at Helgeland. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/05/13/archives/the-play-warriors-at-helgeland.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913182631/https://www.nytimes.com/1930/05/13/archives/the-play-warriors-at-helgeland.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> which had a short run in May 1930.<ref name="The Broadway League 1930a">{{Cite web |last=The Broadway League |date=May 12, 1930 |title=The Vikings – Broadway Play – Original |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-vikings-9416 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913182617/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-vikings-9416 |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=IBDB}}<br />{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2015 |title=The Vikings (Broadway, Studio 54, 1930) |url=https://playbill.com/production/the-vikings-new-yorker-theatre-vault-0000004939 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519195025/https://playbill.com/production/the-vikings-new-yorker-theatre-vault-0000004939 |archive-date=May 19, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref> The New Yorker hosted more dance recitals<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 3, 1930 |title=Yvonne Georgi Makes Hit in New Dance Tour; With Harald Kreutzberg Gives Entrancing Program—Duncan Dancers Appear. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/11/03/archives/yvonne-georgi-makes-hit-in-new-dance-tour-with-harald-kreutzberg.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913182633/https://www.nytimes.com/1930/11/03/archives/yvonne-georgi-makes-hit-in-new-dance-tour-with-harald-kreutzberg.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> before the opening of its next legitimate show, ''Electra'', in December 1930.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Atkinson |first=J. Brooks |date=December 27, 1930 |title=The Play; Cleansing Agamemnon's House. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/12/27/archives/the-play-cleansing-agamemnons-house.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913182619/https://www.nytimes.com/1930/12/27/archives/the-play-cleansing-agamemnons-house.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="The Broadway League 1930b">{{Cite web |last=The Broadway League |date=May 12, 1930 |title=The Vikings – Broadway Play – Original |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-vikings-9416 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913182617/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-vikings-9416 |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=IBDB}}<br />{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2015 |title=Electra (Broadway, Studio 54, 1930) |url=https://playbill.com/productions/electrabroadway-studio-54-1930 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913182632/https://playbill.com/productions/electrabroadway-studio-54-1930 |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref> Oliver D. Bailey signed a five-year lease for the theater in January 1931.<ref name="nyt-1931-01-14">{{Cite news |date=January 14, 1931 |title=O.D. Bailey Leases New Yorker Theatre; Musical Comedy to Open There on Feb. 16—Plans to Re-enter Producing Field. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/01/14/archives/od-bailey-leases-new-yorker-theatre-musical-comedy-to-open-there-on.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913182634/https://www.nytimes.com/1931/01/14/archives/od-bailey-leases-new-yorker-theatre-musical-comedy-to-open-there-on.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="p1031970343">{{Cite magazine |date=January 31, 1931 |title=General Indoor News: Oliver Bailey Leases Theater |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=34 |volume=43 |issue=5 |id={{ProQuest|1031970343}}}}</ref> In general, the theater suffered from low attendance during the Great Depression.<ref name="Bloom2007" /> Among the theater's productions in 1931 were the plays ''Gray Shadow'',<ref name="p1114067427">{{Cite news |last=Ruhl |first=Arthur |date=March 11, 1931 |title=Gray Shadow,' in Ghostly Setting Opens at New Yorker Theater: Roger Wheller's Mystery Play Has William Townsend and Rupert Clarke in Cast Claude Cooper |work=[[New York Herald Tribune]] |page=16 |id={{ProQuest|1114067427}}}}</ref> ''[[Young Sinners (play)|Young Sinners]]'',<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 21, 1931 |title=Young Sinners" Again; Elmer Harris's Play Shown at Popular Prices at New Yorker. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/04/21/archives/young-sinners-again-elmer-harriss-play-shown-at-popular-prices-at.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913182617/https://www.nytimes.com/1931/04/21/archives/young-sinners-again-elmer-harriss-play-shown-at-popular-prices-at.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> ''Ebb Tide'',<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 9, 1931 |title=The Play; Down on Chesapeake Bay |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/06/09/archives/the-play-down-on-chesapeake-bay-theatrical-notes.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913182622/https://www.nytimes.com/1931/06/09/archives/the-play-down-on-chesapeake-bay-theatrical-notes.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> and ''It Never Rains'';<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 25, 1931 |title=The Play; California Comedy. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/12/25/archives/the-play-california-comedy.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913182632/https://www.nytimes.com/1931/12/25/archives/the-play-california-comedy.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> the musical ''Fast and Furious'';<ref>{{Cite news |last=Atkinson |first=J. Brooks |date=September 16, 1931 |title=The Play |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/09/16/archives/the-play.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913182620/https://www.nytimes.com/1931/09/16/archives/the-play.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> and performances by the New Yorker Grand Opera Company.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 4, 1931 |title='Rigoletto' is Presented; New Yorker Grand Opera Company Gives Verdi Work in Italian. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/05/04/archives/rigoletto-is-presented-new-yorker-grand-opera-company-gives-verdi.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913182632/https://www.nytimes.com/1931/05/04/archives/rigoletto-is-presented-new-yorker-grand-opera-company-gives-verdi.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The next year, the theater hosted several plays performed by the Spanish-speaking theatrical company La Compania Dramatic Espanola,<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 2, 1932 |title=Another Company From Spain. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1932/04/02/archives/another-company-from-spain.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913182625/https://www.nytimes.com/1932/04/02/archives/another-company-from-spain.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> as well as another dance festival.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 3, 1932 |title=A Dance Festival by Internationals; Mary Wigman, Uday Shan-Kar and Vicente Escudero Are to Be Seen for Two Weeks. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1932/12/03/archives/a-dance-festival-by-internationals-mary-wigman-uday-shankar-and.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913182627/https://www.nytimes.com/1932/12/03/archives/a-dance-festival-by-internationals-mary-wigman-uday-shankar-and.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The [[Bowery Savings Bank]] bought the New Yorker and the adjacent office building for $650,000 in December 1932.<ref name="nyt-1932-12-29">{{Cite news |date=December 29, 1932 |title=Theatre Property Bought in by Bank; The New Yorker and Abutting 16-Story Offices in 53d St. Go at Auction. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1932/12/29/archives/theatre-property-bought-in-by-bank-the-new-yorker-and-abutting.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913182621/https://www.nytimes.com/1932/12/29/archives/theatre-property-bought-in-by-bank-the-new-yorker-and-abutting.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

The bank leased the theater to Continental Music Halls Inc. for five years in September 1933.<ref name="nyt-1933-09-15">{{Cite news |date=September 15, 1933 |title=New Yorker Theatre to Become a Casino For Dining, Dancing and Parisian Shows |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1933/09/15/archives/new-yorker-theatre-to-become-a-casino-for-dining-dancing-and.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913182622/https://www.nytimes.com/1933/09/15/archives/new-yorker-theatre-to-become-a-casino-for-dining-dancing-and.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="p1627541851">{{Cite magazine |date=September 15, 1933 |title=New Yorker Theatre To Be Entertainment Casino |magazine=[[Women's Wear Daily]] |pages=15 |volume=47 |issue=53 |id={{ProQuest|1627541851}}}}</ref> Continental announced plans to convert the theater into a nightclub called Casino de Paree (sometimes spelled Casino de Paris<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 25">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=25|ps=.}}</ref>), with dining areas on two stories and a kitchen in the basement.<ref name="nyt-1933-09-15" /><ref name="p1032039070">{{Cite magazine |date=September 30, 1933 |title=Beer Gardens-Cafes: New Yorker Theater Leased for Garden |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=11 |volume=45 |issue=39 |id={{ProQuest|1032039070}}}}</ref> The club's operators spent $200,000 on renovations,<ref name="p1125470288">{{Cite news |date=March 15, 1934 |title=Casino Operators Buy Properly in 54th Street: Purchase Former New Yorker Theater and Office Parcel |work=[[New York Herald Tribune]] |page=38 |id={{ProQuest|1125470288}}}}</ref> reopening the venue on December 12, 1933.<ref name="n71889536">{{Cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Ed |date=December 14, 1933 |title=Broadway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71889536/daily-news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913182630/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71889536/daily-news/ |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[New York Daily News]] |pages=270 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> It was one of three theaters near 54th Street that were converted to nightclubs in the mid-1930s.<ref name="p1475821537">{{Cite magazine |date=May 1, 1934 |title=Legitimate: Only 35 Theatres Left for Legit; 17 Houses Switched Their Policies During Past Season; Once Were 60 |magazine=Variety |pages=47 |volume=114 |issue=7 |id={{ProQuest|1475821537}}}}</ref> There were 1,150 seats on two levels. The stage was used as a dance floor, accessed by steps from the orchestra level, and was flanked by two bands.<ref name="p1529088997">{{Cite magazine |date=December 19, 1933 |title=Music: Casino de Paree Blends Continental Cafe and American Show Features |magazine=Variety |pages=46 |volume=113 |issue=1 |id={{ProQuest|1529088997}}}}</ref> [[Billy Rose]] organized two shows a night, for which guests paid $1.50 to $2 per ticket. According to ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', the nightclub "just about satisfies the gastronomic, bibulous, and entertainment needs of any mortal".<ref name="p1475848723">{{Cite magazine |date=April 18, 1934 |title=Variety Show Niteries Like Casino De Paree May Be Ans. to That Comeback |magazine=Variety |pages=21 |volume=114 |issue=5 |id={{ProQuest|1475848723}}}}</ref>

The club's operators bought the theater and adjacent office building in March 1934.<ref name="p1125470288" /> The club's cheap revues competed with Broadway musicals with higher-priced tickets.<ref name="p1032042484">{{Cite magazine |date=July 28, 1934 |title=Legitimate: Casino de Paree Is Proving Stiff Competition for Legit |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=18 |volume=46 |issue=30 |id={{ProQuest|1032042484}}}}</ref> Rose withdrew from the venture in September 1934 because of disagreements over pay.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 8, 1934 |title=Billy Rose Quits Casino.; Also Withdraws From Music Hall and Threatens Suits. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/09/08/archives/billy-rose-quits-casino-also-withdraws-from-music-hall-and.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130044908/https://www.nytimes.com/1934/09/08/archives/billy-rose-quits-casino-also-withdraws-from-music-hall-and.html |archive-date=November 30, 2021 |access-date=November 30, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The Casino de Paree was closed for renovations in February 1935,<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 2, 1935 |title=Night Club Notes; Alterations Planned For the Casino de Paree – Old and New Faces Appear Elsewhere. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/02/02/archives/night-club-notes-alterations-planned-for-the-casino-de-paree-old.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913185830/https://www.nytimes.com/1935/02/02/archives/night-club-notes-alterations-planned-for-the-casino-de-paree-old.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> reopening two weeks later.<ref>{{Cite news |last=B.c |date=February 17, 1935 |title=Gay Revue Reopens the Casino De Paree; Buck and Bubbles, Ella Logan, Mitzi Mayfair and Raoul and Eva Reyes on Program. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/02/17/archives/gay-revue-reopens-the-casino-de-paree-buck-and-bubbles-ella-logan.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913185830/https://www.nytimes.com/1935/02/17/archives/gay-revue-reopens-the-casino-de-paree-buck-and-bubbles-ella-logan.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The Casino de Paree abruptly closed<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 4, 1935 |title=Night Club Notes; Casino de Paree Dark – Harry Richman at the Versailles – Pierre Roof Opens. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/05/04/archives/night-club-notes-casino-de-paree-dark-harry-richman-at-the.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913185835/https://www.nytimes.com/1935/05/04/archives/night-club-notes-casino-de-paree-dark-harry-richman-at-the.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> after filing for bankruptcy in April 1935.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 30, 1935 |title=Cabaret in Bankruptcy; Casino De Paree Seeks Authority to Reorganize Under Act. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/04/30/archives/cabaret-in-bankruptcy-casino-de-paree-seeks-authority-to-reorganize.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913185835/https://www.nytimes.com/1935/04/30/archives/cabaret-in-bankruptcy-casino-de-paree-seeks-authority-to-reorganize.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="p1654359357">{{Cite magazine |date=April 30, 1935 |title=Casino De Paree, Inc., Asks Reorganization |magazine=[[Women's Wear Daily]] |pages=29 |volume=50 |issue=84 |id={{ProQuest|1654359357}}}}</ref> That December, the Bowery Savings Bank leased the theater to the Palladium Operating Corporation, which planned to convert it into an "English"-style music hall.<ref name="p101260804">{{Cite news |date=December 29, 1935 |title=Theatre Leased in Midtown Area: Former Casino De Paree in 54th St. To Be Run Like English Music Hall |work=[[The New York Times]] |page=RE1 |id={{ProQuest|101260804}}}}</ref> The Palladium Music Hall opened the next month;<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 18, 1936 |title=Night Club Notes; The New Palladium – Several Shows Next Week – Additions and Subtractions. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/01/18/archives/night-club-notes-the-new-palladium-several-shows-next-week.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913185835/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/01/18/archives/night-club-notes-the-new-palladium-several-shows-next-week.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="p1475952607">{{Cite magazine |date=January 8, 1936 |title=Music-Nite-Clubs: Palange Operating N. Y. Palladium on Bi-Weekly Change; Sullivan Booking |magazine=Variety |pages=53 |volume=121 |issue=4 |id={{ProQuest|1475952607}}}}</ref> it was to host a new show every two weeks, with two bands performing during dinnertime.<ref name="p1475952607" /> The Palladium had trouble paying wages within three weeks of its opening,<ref name="p1032087553">{{Cite magazine |date=February 1, 1936 |title=Night Spots-Orchestra-Music: Palladium Music Hall Has Money Trouble; New Backers |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=13 |volume=48 |issue=5 |id={{ProQuest|1032087553}}}}</ref> and it closed permanently at the beginning of February 1936.<ref name="p1032086000">{{Cite magazine |date=February 8, 1936 |title=Night Spots-Orchestra-Music: Palladium Music Hall Folds; Several New N. Y. Spots Open |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=12 |volume=48 |issue=6 |id={{ProQuest|1032086000}}}}</ref>[[File:Works Progress Administration Federal Music Project of New York City Theatre of Music LCCN98514961.jpg|thumb|WPA Theatre of Music]]

The [[Works Progress Administration]] (WPA)'s Federal Music Project leased the theater, as well as four of the office floors, in November 1936;<ref name="p101679649">{{Cite news |date=November 17, 1936 |title=WPA Music Project Rents Former Casino de Paree |work=[[The New York Times]] |page=51 |id={{ProQuest|101679649}}}}</ref><ref name="p1222157742">{{Cite news |date=November 23, 1936 |title=W. P. A. to Cut Stage, Art and Music Projects: About 20% of Personnel Will Be Dropped Within Few Weeks, Cahill Reveals Writers Also To Be Hit Leaders Here Protest to Capital, Fear Picketing |work=[[New York Herald Tribune]] |page=11 |id={{ProQuest|1222157742}}}}</ref> the venue would host operas and concerts by the WPA's Theatre of Music.<ref name="nyt-1936-11-23">{{Cite news |date=November 23, 1936 |title=Theatre of Music is Planned by WPA; New Project to Be Center for Many Activities Will Be in New Yorker Theatre |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/11/23/archives/theatre-of-music-is-planned-by-wpa-new-project-to-be-center-for.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914001618/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/11/23/archives/theatre-of-music-is-planned-by-wpa-new-project-to-be-center-for.html |archive-date=September 14, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The WPA renovated the theater over the next two months,<ref name="p1322396346">{{Cite news |date=January 4, 1937 |title=Federal Project to Open Theater of Music Jan. 24: Repairs Virtually Complete Concert To Be First Event |work=[[New York Herald Tribune]] |page=14 |id={{ProQuest|1322396346}}}}</ref> opening the Theater of Music on January 24, 1937.<ref name="p1248355057">{{Cite news |date=January 25, 1937 |title=Sokoloff Leads Orchestra of 100 Opening Federal Music Theater |work=[[New York Herald Tribune]] |page=10 |id={{ProQuest|1248355057}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1937-01-25">{{Cite news |last=Taubman |first=H. Howard |date=January 25, 1937 |title=WPA Opens Own Theatre of Music; Crowded HouseGreetsSokoloff and His Federal Symphony of 100 Players |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/01/25/archives/wpa-opens-own-theatre-of-music-crowded-housegreetssokoloff-and-his.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914001619/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/01/25/archives/wpa-opens-own-theatre-of-music-crowded-housegreetssokoloff-and-his.html |archive-date=September 14, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The WPA renewed its lease later the same year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 16, 1937 |title=WPA Renews Theatre Lease |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/12/16/archives/wpa-renews-theatre-lease.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913231540/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/12/16/archives/wpa-renews-theatre-lease.html |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> An all-black WPA cast from Chicago presented ''[[The Swing Mikado]]'' at the New Yorker Theatre in early 1939;<ref name="nyt-1939-03-02">{{Cite news |last=Atkinson |first=Brooks |date=March 2, 1939 |title=The Play; Chicago Unit of the Federal Theatre Comes In Swinging the Gilbert and Sullivan 'Mikado' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/03/02/archives/the-play-chicago-unit-of-the-federal-theatre-comes-in-swinging-the.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914041048/https://www.nytimes.com/1939/03/02/archives/the-play-chicago-unit-of-the-federal-theatre-comes-in-swinging-the.html |archive-date=September 14, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> after two months, the production moved to the [[44th Street Theatre]].<ref name="The Broadway League 1939">{{Cite web |last=The Broadway League |date=March 1, 1939 |title=The Swing Mikado – Broadway Musical – Original |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-swing-mikado-12463 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913231540/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-swing-mikado-12463 |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=IBDB}}<br />{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2015 |title=The Swing Mikado (Broadway, Studio 54, 1939) |url=https://playbill.com/production/the-swing-mikado-new-yorker-theatre-vault-0000004930 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914055710/https://playbill.com/production/the-swing-mikado-new-yorker-theatre-vault-0000004930 |archive-date=September 14, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="p226183197">{{Cite news |date=April 29, 1939 |title=2 Mikados To Battle: Bill Robinson Company Vs. Ex-WPA Crew |work=New York Amsterdam News |page=20 |id={{proQuest|226183197}}}}</ref> The play ''Medicine Show'' then premiered at the New Yorker in April 1940,<ref name="nyt-1940-04-12">{{Cite news |date=April 12, 1940 |title='Medicine Show' on Tonight's List; Living Newspaper Play to Be Given by Wharton-Gabel at the New Yorker Theatre |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/04/12/archives/medicine-show-on-tonights-list-living-newspaper-play-to-be-given-by.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101011124/https://www.nytimes.com/1940/04/12/archives/medicine-show-on-tonights-list-living-newspaper-play-to-be-given-by.html |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> closing after a month.<ref name="The Broadway League 1940">{{Cite web |last=The Broadway League |date=April 12, 1940 |title=Medicine Show – Broadway Play – Original |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/medicine-show-13251 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128010936/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/medicine-show-13251 |archive-date=November 28, 2021 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=IBDB}}<br />{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2015 |title=Medicine Show (Broadway, Studio 54, 1940) |url=https://playbill.com/production/medicine-show-new-yorker-theatre-vault-0000004929 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618170242/https://playbill.com/production/medicine-show-new-yorker-theatre-vault-0000004929 |archive-date=June 18, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref> This was the theater's last Broadway show for nearly six decades.<ref name="b1165">{{IBDB venue|id=1165|venue=Studio 54}}</ref>

== Broadcast studio ==
The Bowery Savings Bank again owned the New Yorker Theatre by late 1940, and the bank's real-estate agent Joseph O'Gara was looking to lease the venue.<ref name="p1032227074">{{Cite magazine |date=October 5, 1940 |title=Radio-Television: NBC-RCA Shopping for Theaters For Large Screen Tele; Some Legit Houses Dickering Now |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=6 |volume=52 |issue=40 |id={{ProQuest|1032227074}}}}</ref> That October, [[RCA Manufacturing]] signed a one-year lease for the theater, exhibiting television projectors there.<ref name="p1032229069">{{Cite magazine |date=October 19, 1940 |title=Radio: RCA Leases New Yorker Theater For Tele; Deal With IA Pends |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=8 |volume=52 |issue=42 |id={{ProQuest|1032229069}}}}</ref> RCA subsidiary [[NBC]] installed a {{convert|9|by|12|ft|adj=on}} television screen by the end of 1940.<ref name="p1505853602">{{Cite magazine |last=Morrison |first=Hobe |date=December 4, 1940 |title=Radio: Theatre Television Experiments Next, Rca Works Toward Networks |magazine=Variety |pages=37 |volume=140 |issue=43 |id={{ProQuest|1505853602}}}}</ref> Early the following year, NBC installed a {{convert|15|by|20|ft|adj=on}} [[projection screen]] on the stage,<ref name="nyt-1941-04-06">{{Cite news |last=Kennedy |first=T.R. Jr. |date=April 6, 1941 |title=Engineers Send Theatre-size Images; Noted Sports Promoter Sees Experiment – Predicts Teleview-Theatre Networks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1941/04/06/archives/engineers-send-theatresize-images-noted-sports-promoter-sees.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914211404/https://www.nytimes.com/1941/04/06/archives/engineers-send-theatresize-images-noted-sports-promoter-sees.html |archive-date=September 14, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="p1285763145">{{Cite magazine |date=April 23, 1941 |title=Miscellany: RCA Theatre Television Demonstration |magazine=Variety |pages=2, 55 |volume=142 |issue=7 |id={{ProQuest|1285763145}}}}</ref> spending $25,000 to $30,000 on the project.<ref name="p1285763145" /> The first public exhibition of the theater's screen was in May 1941, when over a thousand audience members watched a live broadcast of a boxing match between [[Billy Soose]] and [[Ken Overlin]] at [[Madison Square Garden (1925)|Madison Square Garden]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 10, 1941 |title=Television Show Given in Theatre; 1,400 in Audience Here Witness First Public Program on Large-Size Screen |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1941/05/10/archives/television-show-given-in-theatre-1400-in-audience-here-witness.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914212812/https://www.nytimes.com/1941/05/10/archives/television-show-given-in-theatre-1400-in-audience-here-witness.html |archive-date=September 14, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="p1256075315">{{Cite news |date=May 10, 1941 |title=Large Screen Television Has First Public Showing: 1,200 at New Yorker Theater Watch Title Fight at Garden |work=[[New York Herald Tribune]] |page=6 |id={{ProQuest|1256075315}}}}</ref> In September 1941, the Top Dollar Theatre company unsuccessfully tried to lease the venue from the Bowery Savings Bank.<ref name="nyt-1941-09-24">{{Cite news |date=September 24, 1941 |title='The Distant City' Has Short Career; E.B. Self's Drama, Starring Gladys George, Closes After Second Performance |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1941/09/24/archives/the-distant-city-has-short-career-eb-selfs-drama-starring-gladys.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914211423/https://www.nytimes.com/1941/09/24/archives/the-distant-city-has-short-career-eb-selfs-drama-starring-gladys.html |archive-date=September 14, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The New Yorker Theatre then briefly hosted the children's play ''The Adventures of Marco Polo'' at the end of that December.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 27, 1941 |title='Clash by Night' Opening Tonight; Long Deferred Odets Play to Arrive at Belasco and Star Tallulah Bankhead |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1941/12/27/archives/clash-by-night-opening-tonight-long-deferred-odets-play-to-arrive.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914162427/https://www.nytimes.com/1941/12/27/archives/clash-by-night-opening-tonight-long-deferred-odets-play-to-arrive.html |archive-date=September 14, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

=== CBS Studio 52 ===
The Columbia Broadcasting System ([[CBS]]) leased the New Yorker Theatre in August 1942 for use as a [[radio]] soundstage.<ref name="nyt-1942-08-19">{{Cite news |date=August 19, 1942 |title=Rents Another Theatre Close to Times Square |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1942/08/19/archives/rents-another-theatre-close-to-times-square.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914171829/https://www.nytimes.com/1942/08/19/archives/rents-another-theatre-close-to-times-square.html |archive-date=September 14, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="p1335152006">{{Cite news |date=August 19, 1942 |title=Broadcasting Co. Rents West 54th St. Theater |work=[[New York Herald Tribune]] |page=30 |id={{ProQuest|1335152006}}}}</ref> The theater operated as a radio and [[television]] studio for three decades,<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 25" /> known as '''Radio Playhouse No. 4'''<ref name="Bloom2007" /><ref name="b1165" /> or '''Theater No. 4.''',<ref name="p1269906833">{{Cite news |date=March 8, 1945 |title=Gen. Roosevelt War Company Inducted Here: 452 Women Entrain for Camps After Ceremony in C. B. S. Radio Theater |work=[[New York Herald Tribune]] |page=21 |id={{ProQuest|1269906833}}}}</ref> then converted for television in 1949, becoming CBS-TV Studio 52.<ref name="Ellerbee p. 50">{{harvnb|Ellerbee|2016|p=50|ps=.}}</ref>{{efn|In a 1997 book by Anthony Haden-Guest, the studio's associate director Ed Gifford said that the theater was known as "Studio 53". However, this claim is not corroborated by any other source.<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 26">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=26|ps=.}}</ref>}} Shielded television cameras had to be developed due to strong magnetic interference from equipment at a neighboring power substation for the New York City Subway system.<ref name="Ellerbee p. 44">{{harvnb|Ellerbee|2016|p=44|ps=.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January–March 1967 |title=Broadcasting |magazine=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications Incorporated |page=94 |volume=72 |issue=1}}</ref> The studio was one of seven that CBS operated in New York City.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lohman |first=Sidney |date=May 1, 1949 |title=News and Notes of Television; Eisenhower War Film Series to Start Thursday – Other Items |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1949/05/01/archives/news-and-notes-of-television-eisenhower-war-film-series-to-start.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125173934/https://www.nytimes.com/1949/05/01/archives/news-and-notes-of-television-eisenhower-war-film-series-to-start.html |archive-date=January 25, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> At that time, several Broadway theaters had been converted to TV studios due to a lack of studio space in the city.<ref name="p1285972745">{{Cite magazine |date=August 9, 1950 |title=Radio: Legit to AM-TV Scorecard |magazine=Variety |pages=27 |volume=179 |issue=9 |id={{ProQuest|1285972745}}}}</ref><ref name="p1335476080">{{Cite news |last=Allison |first=Gordon |date=October 9, 1950 |title=TV Networks Adding to Space On Large Scale: Six More Theaters Taken, With Total at 15; Other Leases Throughout City |work=[[New York Herald Tribune]] |page=30 |id={{ProQuest|1335476080}}}}</ref>

Likely the first television show to be produced at Studio 52, was ''The 54th Street Revue'', which premiered in May 1949.<ref name="Ellerbee p. 50" /> Another early show produced at Studio 52 was ''[[The Fred Waring Show]]'' in 1950.<ref name="p1879113211">{{Cite magazine |date=February 6, 1950 |title=The Waring Show on TV |magazine=Newsweek |pages=52 |volume=35 |issue=6 |id={{ProQuest|1879113211}}}}</ref><ref name="Ellerbee p. 57">{{harvnb|Ellerbee|2016|p=57|ps=.}}</ref> Studio 52 and the neighboring Studio 50 (now the [[Ed Sullivan Theater]]) were among CBS's busiest stages by the early 1960s.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=November 7, 1962 |title=Radio-Television: Overcrowded Studio Facility Snag Creates Gleason-'Candid Camera' Impasse With CBS-TV in the Middle |magazine=Variety |pages=21 |volume=228 |issue=11 |id={{ProQuest|1017079921}}}}</ref> The theater hosted such shows as ''[[What's My Line?]]'', ''[[The $64,000 Question]]'', ''[[Video Village]]'', ''[[Password (American game show)|Password]]'', ''[[To Tell the Truth]]'', ''[[Beat the Clock]]'', ''[[The Jack Benny Show]]'', ''[[I've Got a Secret]]'', ''[[The Original Amateur Hour|Ted Mack and the Original Amateur Hour]]'', and ''[[Captain Kangaroo]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who We Are: Studio 54 |url=http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/About/Our-History/Studio-54.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714125550/http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/About/Our-History/Studio-54.aspx |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |access-date=July 11, 2014 |website=[[Roundabout Theatre Company]]}}</ref><ref name="Ellerbee p. 57" /> Studio 52 was used to tape many of the CBS shows that involved [[panel discussion]]s. Members of the public could also buy tickets to view these tapings. ''The New York Times'' said in 1965 that many of the regular audience members were older women.<ref name="p116885037">{{Cite news |last=Rinzler |first=Carol |date=June 6, 1965 |title=The Town's Best Bargain: A TV 'Sit-In' |work=[[The New York Times]] |page=X17 |id={{ProQuest|116885037}}}}</ref> The soap opera ''[[Love of Life]]'' was produced at Studio 52 until 1975 and was the last show to be taped there.<ref name="Ellerbee p. 57" /> CBS moved most of its broadcast operations out of Studio 52 in 1976 and placed the theater up for sale.<ref name="Ellerbee p. 56">{{harvnb|Ellerbee|2016|p=56|ps=.}}</ref>

==Nightclub era==

=== Inception and opening ===
[[File:Studio 54 New York Restaurant.jpg|thumb|Dining area at 54 Below]]By 1976, German-born male model Uva Harden was planning to open a nightclub in New York City, which he tentatively called "Studio".<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 27">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=27|ps=.}}</ref> Harden and Israeli entrepreneur Yoram Polany agreed to take over the old CBS Studio 52 that year.<ref name="p1286272789">{{Cite magazine |last=Radcliffe |first=Joe |date=May 21, 1977 |title=General News: Studio 54 Disco Bypasses Cliches For Theatrical Input |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=3, 50 |volume=89 |issue=20 |id={{ProQuest|1286272789}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1976-11-24">{{Cite news |last=Asbury |first=Edith Evans |date=November 24, 1976 |title=Marlborough Gallery Takes Over Disco Stock of Rothko-Suit Figure |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/11/24/archives/marlborough-gallery-takes-over-disco-stock-of-rothkosuit-figure.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914181140/https://www.nytimes.com/1976/11/24/archives/marlborough-gallery-takes-over-disco-stock-of-rothkosuit-figure.html |archive-date=September 14, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="Haden-Guest pp. 28-29">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|pp=28–29|ps=.}}</ref> Polany and another friend of Harden's independently recommended that the nightclub be called "Studio 54" because it was on 54th Street.<ref name="Haden-Guest pp. 28-29" /> Harden and Polany formed a corporation to operate the nightclub, but they struggled to obtain a [[liquor license]] from the [[New York State Liquor Authority]] (NYSLA).<ref name="p1286272789" /><ref name="Haden-Guest p. 30">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=30|ps=.}}</ref> They hired {{visible anchor|Carmen D'Alessio}}, who had hosted monthly parties at [[Maurice Brahms]]'s Infinity nightclub,<ref name="Colacello2013">{{Cite magazine |last=Colacello |first=Bob |date=September 4, 2013 |title=Studio 54's Cast List: A Who's Who of the 1970s Nightlife Circuit |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/1996/03/studio-54-nightclub-new-york-city |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804205711/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/1996/03/studio-54-nightclub-new-york-city |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |magazine=Vanity Fair}}</ref> as the club's publicist.<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 30" />  To finance the nightclub, the operators of the [[Marlborough Gallery]] bought nearly all of the stock in Harden and Polany's corporation in November 1976.<ref name="nyt-1976-11-24" /> At the time, the gallery's owner Frank Lloyd had just been ordered to pay $9 million to artist [[Mark Rothko]]'s estate in the [[Rothko case]].<ref name="nyt-1976-11-24" /><ref name="Haden-Guest pp. 30-31">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|pp=30–31|ps=.}}</ref>

After continued delays, Harden met with entrepreneurs [[Steve Rubell]] and [[Ian Schrager]], who agreed to partner with him in the nightclub's operation.<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 32">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=32|ps=.}}</ref> Harden was eventually forced out of the club's operation, while Polany left on his own volition.<ref name="Haden-Guest pp. 34-35">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|pp=34–35|ps=.}}</ref> In November 1976, ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine reported that Schrager and Rubell planned to convert the theater into a nightclub called Studio 54.<ref name="p1286341873">{{Cite magazine |last=Radcliffe |first=Joe |date=November 27, 1976 |title=$1 Million Laser Disco Opening Soon In N.Y |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=1, 73 |volume=48 |issue=88 |id={{ProQuest|1286341873}}}}</ref> It would be one of several [[discotheques]] to operate in Midtown Manhattan during the late 1970s.<ref name="nyt-1977-06-01">{{Cite news |last=Nemy |first=Enid |date=June 1, 1977 |title=The New Discos: Life Begins at Midnight |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/06/01/archives/the-new-discos-life-begins-at-midnight.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915174615/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/06/01/archives/the-new-discos-life-begins-at-midnight.html |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="p1401314832">{{Cite magazine |date=June 29, 1977 |title=Miscellany: Discos Hop Up Night Life In N.Y. Midtown |magazine=Variety |pages=2, 71 |volume=287 |issue=8 |id={{ProQuest|1401314832}}}}</ref> Rubell and Schrager formed the Broadway Catering Corp., which spent $400,000 to transform the theater into a nightclub.<ref name="p134444214">{{Cite news |date=June 29, 1979 |title=Operators of Studio 54 In New York Indicted On Skimming Receipts |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |page=22 |id={{ProQuest|134444214}}}}</ref> Rubell, Schrager, and Jack Dushey each owned a one-third stake in the venture,<ref name="p134444214" /><ref name="New York Magazine p. 3">{{Cite magazine |last=Dorfman |first=Dan |date=November 7, 1977 |title=The Eccentric Whiz Behind Studio 54 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EegCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922125740/https://books.google.com/books?id=EegCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA3 |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |magazine=New York |publisher=New York Media, LLC |pages=14, 16}}</ref><ref name="nyt19790629" /> and they had hired several people to create the club by early 1977.<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 39">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=39|ps=.}}</ref> These included architect Scott Bromley,<ref name="nyt-1977-07-17">{{Cite news |last=Norma |first=Skurka |date=July 17, 1977 |title=Design |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/07/17/archives/design-storehouses-of-ideas.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205163444/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/07/17/archives/design-storehouses-of-ideas.html |archive-date=February 5, 2022 |access-date=February 5, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times Magazine]] |pages=34–35}}</ref><ref name="Romeyn2018">{{Cite web |last=Romeyn |first=Kathryn |date=October 2, 2018 |title=Studio 54's Paradigm-Shifting Design; Hotelier Ian Schrager and filmmaker Matt Tyrnauer discuss the club's untold history and groundbreaking aesthetic impact |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/studio-54-documentary-design |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209023806/https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/studio-54-documentary-design |archive-date=February 9, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=Architectural Digest}}</ref><ref name="Haden-Guest p. 40">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=40|ps=.}}</ref> interior designer Ron Doud,<ref name="Romeyn2018" /><ref name="Haden-Guest p. 40" /> lighting designer Brian Thompson,<ref name="nyt-1977-07-17" /><ref name="Haden-Guest p. 40" /> and set designer Richie Williamson.<ref name="Romeyn2018" /> Lighting designers [[Jules Fisher]] and [[Paul Marantz]] were hired to design the dance floor and rigging system.<ref name="Romeyn2018" /><ref name="Haden-Guest p. 40" /> Rubell and Schrager retained D'Alessio to promote Studio 54.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Trebay |first1=Guy |last2=Ferla |first2=Ruth La |date=March 12, 2020 |title=As Studio 54 Boogies to Brooklyn, Its Denizens Look Back in Wonder |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/arts/design/studio-54-history-brooklyn-museum.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205142424/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/arts/design/studio-54-history-brooklyn-museum.html |archive-date=February 5, 2022 |access-date=February 5, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yuan |first=Jada |date=April 27, 2007 |title=Studio 54 – Where Those Who Were There Then Are Now |url=https://nymag.com/news/features/31277/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205142324/https://nymag.com/news/features/31277/ |archive-date=February 5, 2022 |access-date=February 5, 2022 |magazine=New York}}</ref>

[[File:MoonMan.jpg|thumb|left|The Moon Man swung across the dance floor at Studio 54]]
The renovation involved the construction of a dance floor, a balcony, and a disco booth, as well as the addition of mirrors, light bars, and floating vinyl platforms. The orchestra seated 250 people, and the balcony had another 500 seats.<ref name="New York Magazine p. 3" /> The lighting system, which required three people to operate, included a dozen {{convert|16|ft|m|-high|adj=mid}} poles with flashing lights.<ref name="p1286272789" /> Fisher and Marantz adapted the existing rigging system to generate special effects such as confetti, snow, fog, and weather.<ref name="Romeyn2018" /><ref name="n1096177192">{{Cite news |last=Oppenheim |first=Carol |date=September 6, 1979 |title=Studio 54 dances away its troubles |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109617719/studio-54-dances-away-its/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915230835/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109617719/studio-54-dances-away-its/ |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109617750/ 4] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On the ceiling was a {{convert|30|by|40|ft|adj=on}} [[Cyclorama (theater)|cyclorama]], which could project images of many different galaxies. Other decorations included depictions of volcanos, sunrises, and sunsets.<ref name="p1286272789" /> Aero Graphics designed a backlit moon and spoon, which became an icon of the Studio 54 nightclub.<ref name="Terrebonne 2020">{{Cite web |last=Terrebonne |first=Jacqueline |date=May 1, 2020 |title=6 Objects That Tell the Fabulous Story of Studio 54 |url=https://galeriemagazine.com/story-behind-studio-54-brooklyn-musuem/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914170712/https://galeriemagazine.com/story-behind-studio-54-brooklyn-musuem/ |archive-date=September 14, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=Galerie}}</ref> The club's promoters mailed out 8,000 invitations and made phone calls to numerous figures on "a good social list".<ref name="p306881699">{{Cite news |last=Hyde |first=Nina S. |author-link=Nina Hyde |date=April 28, 1977 |title=The Crush of Flash, Cash and Fashion |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |page=D5 |id={{ProQuest|306881699}}}}</ref> Studio 54 officially opened on April 26, 1977,<ref name="nyt-1977-04-27">{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Robert McG Jr. |date=April 27, 1977 |title=Discotheque Opens Despite Its Leaking Waterfall' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/04/27/archives/discotheque-opens-despite-its-leaking-waterfall.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915161817/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/04/27/archives/discotheque-opens-despite-its-leaking-waterfall.html |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="p306881699" /> with workers rushing to finish the decorations just hours before the grand opening.<ref name="nyt-1977-04-27" /> Although the space could fit 2,500 guests,<ref name="p1286272789" /><ref name="nyt-1977-04-27" /> four thousand people attended the club on opening day.<ref name="p306881699" /> Hundreds of prospective patrons lined up around the block to enter,<ref name="nyt-1977-04-27" /><ref name="n109593953">{{Cite news |date=April 28, 1977 |title=No Tennessee Waltzing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109593953/no-tennessee-waltzing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915161817/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109593953/no-tennessee-waltzing/ |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[New York Daily News]] |pages=819 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and several celebrities could not get in, despite having been invited.<ref name="Haden-Guest pp. 46-47">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|pp=46–47|ps=.}}</ref>

===<span class="anchor" id="The scene (1977–1979)"></span>The scene===
Studio 54 had been launched as the [[disco]] dancing and music trend was gaining popularity in the U.S.<ref name="Colacello2013"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dowd |first=Vincent |date=April 26, 2012 |title=Studio 54: 'The best party of your life' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-17829308 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811174552/https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-17829308 |archive-date=August 11, 2019 |access-date=November 1, 2016 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> Its popularity grew rapidly, especially after the publication of a widely-circulated picture that showed actress [[Bianca Jagger]] at the club, riding a white horse.<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 50">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=50|ps=.}}</ref><ref name="Dool 2017">{{Cite web |last=Dool |first=Steve |date=October 9, 2017 |title=Studio 54: The disco playground where sex and glamour reigned – CNN Style |url=https://www.cnn.com/style/article/studio-54-ian-schrager/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727110153/https://www.cnn.com/style/article/studio-54-ian-schrager/index.html |archive-date=July 27, 2022 |access-date=September 18, 2022 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> In the month after its opening, the club served an average of 2,000 guests per night,<ref name="p1401310124" /> although it was only open on Tuesdays through Saturdays.<ref name="New York Magazine p. 3" /> By August 1977, the club had become so successful that Rubell and Schrager were considering opening similar nightclubs in [[Los Angeles]] and [[London]].<ref name="p1286205614">{{Cite magazine |date=August 13, 1977 |title=Discos: Studio 54 Looking To L.A. And London |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=49 |volume=89 |issue=32 |id={{ProQuest|1286205614}}}}</ref><ref name="Haden-Guest p. 127">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=127|ps=.}}</ref> Rubell ultimately chose not to open similar clubs around the world, saying: "I'm very cautious about protecting the name and not cheapening it."<ref name="p2513149544">{{Cite magazine |last=Segell |first=Michael |date=April 19, 1979 |title=Studio 54: Steve Rubell's disco Disneyland |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |page=44-45 |issue=289 |id={{proQuest|2513149544}}}}</ref> In November 1977, [[Dan Dorfman]] of ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine quoted Rubell as saying that "only the Mafia made more money" than Studio 54,<ref name="New York Magazine p. 3" /><ref name="Haden-Guest p. 77">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=77|ps=.}}</ref> which made $7 million in its first year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Flint |first=Peter B. |date=July 27, 1989 |title=Steve Rubell, Studio 54's Creator And a 'Pasha of Disco', Dies at 45 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/27/obituaries/steve-rubell-studio-54-s-creator-and-a-pasha-of-disco-dies-at-45.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214142337/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/27/obituaries/steve-rubell-studio-54-s-creator-and-a-pasha-of-disco-dies-at-45.html |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |access-date=December 14, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

Upon Studio 54's first anniversary in April 1978, which attracted 3,000 guests, Rubell said the club's popularity contradicted sentiments that the club "wouldn't last more than a couple of months".<ref name="nyt-1978-04-28">{{Cite news |last=Bennetts |first=Leslie |date=April 28, 1978 |title=An 'In' Crowd and Outside Mob Show Up for Studio 54's Birthday |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/04/28/archives/an-in-crowd-and-outside-mob-show-up-for-studio-54s-birthday-some.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915183824/https://www.nytimes.com/1978/04/28/archives/an-in-crowd-and-outside-mob-show-up-for-studio-54s-birthday-some.html |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> That October, Rubell and Schrager closed the club for nine days, spending $500,000 on renovations.<ref name="p1286316182">{{Cite magazine |last=Roth |first=Robert |date=October 7, 1978 |title=Discos: Studio 54 Bows New Look Costing $½ Mil |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=63, 65 |volume=90 |issue=40 |id={{ProQuest|1286316182}}}}</ref> The work included adding spotlights and mirrored walls,<ref name="p1286316182" /> as well as a movable bridge.<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 111">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=111|ps=.}}</ref>

====Admission policy====
To be admitted to Studio 54 was a status symbol, even on nights when the club was open to the public.<ref name="p2513149544" /> When Studio 54 opened, admission generally cost $7 or $8, but guests could pay for an annual membership in exchange for discounted tickets.<ref name="nyt-1977-06-01" /><ref name="p1401310124">{{Cite magazine |last=Cohen |first=Joe |date=June 1, 1977 |title=Miscellany: While Niteries Are Crying Blues, N.Y. Discos Rake In The Greer |magazine=Variety |pages=2, 79 |volume=287 |issue=4 |id={{ProQuest|1401310124}}}}</ref> Tickets were more expensive on weekends,<ref name="p134198373">{{Cite news |last=Henninger |first=Daniel |date=December 2, 1977 |title=The Sweet Life, New York, 1977 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |page=14 |id={{ProQuest|134198373}}}}</ref> and all ticket prices were increased on nights with performances.<ref name="p1401310124" /> Rubell made the final decisions over whether guests were allowed in the club. Celebrities usually were allowed to enter immediately.<ref name="p134198373" /><ref name="Haden-Guest p. 60">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=60|ps=.}}</ref> According to a 1977 ''[[The Wall Street Journal|Wall Street Journal]]'' article, "very beautiful" members of the public were almost always admitted, while men entering alone were invariably rejected to prevent predatory behavior.<ref name="p134198373" /> Guests were divided into four categories, ranging from the "No Goods" (who could never be admitted) to the "No Fuck-ups" (important clients who were admitted instantly).<ref name="Esquire 2021">{{Cite web |date=November 1, 2021 |title=Halston Studio 54 Vent Death True Story – Did Liza Minnelli Overdose in Studio 54? |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a36411096/halston-studio-54-true-story-vent-death-liza-minnelli-overdose/ |access-date=September 23, 2022 |website=Esquire}}</ref> Rubell bragged about the club's exclusivity, saying in a November 1977 interview with ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine: "I turned away 1,400 people last Saturday."<ref name="New York Magazine p. 3" />

The club's doormen could be extremely selective, sometimes to the point that "they propelled themselves into a comedy universe" according to Haden-Guest.<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 62">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=62|ps=.}}</ref> Rubell once told a "ravishingly beautiful woman" that she could enter for free if she took off all her clothes; the woman was later hospitalized for frostbitten nipples.<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 62" /> The selective admissions policies led some guests to bypass the front door in an attempt to enter.<ref name="Esquire 2021" /><ref name="Haden-Guest pp. 63-64" /> According to Haden-Guest, one potential guest got stuck in a ventilation shaft and died,<ref name="Haden-Guest pp. 63-64">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|pp=63–64|ps=.}}</ref> an account that Schrager later confirmed.<ref name="Esquire 2021" /> Some of Studio 54's spurned clientele fled to other clubs such as New York, New York.<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 72">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=72|ps=.}}</ref> When the club was renovated in 1978, Rubell and Schrager sealed its courtyard to prevent people from entering there.<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 111" /> There was also a private entrance on [[53rd Street (Manhattan)|53rd Street]], reflecting the "stratification" of the nightclub.<ref name="Haden-Guest pp. 117-118">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|pp=117–118|ps=.}}</ref>

On several occasions, would-be guests attacked the doormen after being denied admission,<ref name="p134198373" /><ref name="Haden-Guest pp. 64-65">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|pp=64–65|ps=.}}</ref><ref name="n109617719">{{Cite news |last=Oppenheim |first=Carol |date=September 6, 1979 |title=Studio 54 dances away its troubles |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109617719/studio-54-dances-away-its/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915230835/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109617719/studio-54-dances-away-its/ |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109617750/ 4] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and several guests pulled out guns when they were rejected.<ref name="Esquire 2021" /> The club's security guards often cleared out trash cans within a several-block radius because of high concerns over violence.<ref name="Haden-Guest pp. 64-65" /> Some notables were denied admission. For instance, the [[president of Cyprus]] was once rejected because the doormen thought he was the president of New York City's [[Cypress Hills Cemetery]].<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 62" /> When one of Saudi king [[Khalid of Saudi Arabia|Khalid]]'s sons was rejected, the Saudi embassy to the United States wrote Rubell a letter, asking that Khalid's son not be rejected again.<ref name="p134198373" /> The band [[Chic (band)|Chic]] wrote a song in 1978, "[[Le Freak]]", after being refused entry to the club on New Year's Eve 1977, despite having been invited by Grace Jones.<ref name="RS" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Buskin |first=Richard |date=April 2005 |title=Classic Tracks: Chic – 'Le Freak' |url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr05/articles/classictracks.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514083612/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr05/articles/classictracks.htm |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |access-date=September 13, 2018 |website=[[Sound on Sound]]}}</ref> Even club members were not guaranteed entry.<ref name="n78994851">{{Cite news |last=Cobb |first=Nathan |date=July 15, 1978 |title=Descent into New York Disco |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78994851/descent-into-new-york-disco-15-july/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915190351/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78994851/descent-into-new-york-disco-15-july/ |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=The Boston Globe |pages=6 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1978-06-30">{{Cite news |date=June 30, 1978 |title=Studio 54, Under. City Pressure, To Refund Price of Memberships |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/06/30/archives/studio-54-under-city-pressure-to-refund-price-of-memberships.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915183817/https://www.nytimes.com/1978/06/30/archives/studio-54-under-city-pressure-to-refund-price-of-memberships.html |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> In June 1978, the [[New York City Department of Consumer Affairs]] (DCA) mandated that Rubell and Schrager stop selling memberships and refund existing members.<ref name="nyt-1978-06-30" /><ref name="n109602745">{{Cite news |last=Stathos |first=Harry |date=June 30, 1978 |title=Studio 54 to Give Fee Refunds |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109602745/studio-54-to-give-fee-refundsharry/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915183836/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109602745/studio-54-to-give-fee-refundsharry/ |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[New York Daily News]] |pages=16 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The club failed to refund all memberships immediately,<ref name="n109601619">{{Cite news |last=Kates |first=Brian |date=January 11, 1979 |title=Our tres-chic cabarets got a lotta cheek, too, who needs a license? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109601619/our-tres-chic-cabarets-got-a-lotta/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915183814/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109601619/our-tres-chic-cabarets-got-a-lotta/ |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[New York Daily News]] |pages=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and Schrager claimed that November that only 40 members had applied for refunds.<ref name="nyt-1978-11-19">{{Cite news |date=November 19, 1978 |title=Follow-Up on the News |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/11/19/archives/followup-on-the-news-nome-liquor-rush-mystery-in-bronx-rejects-at.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915190350/https://www.nytimes.com/1978/11/19/archives/followup-on-the-news-nome-liquor-rush-mystery-in-bronx-rejects-at.html |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

====Inside the club====
The club generally opened at 10 p.m., with crowds peaking at midnight; the bar closed at 4 a.m., and the rest of the club stayed open until 6 a.m.<ref name="p134198373" /> According to Rubell, the vast majority of the club's guests were not celebrities but, rather, members of the public who just wanted to dance.<ref name="n109602382">{{Cite news |last=Hanson |first=Kitty |date=March 16, 1978 |title=The hot spots and cool scenes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109602382/the-hot-spots-and-cool-sceneskitty/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915183835/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109602382/the-hot-spots-and-cool-sceneskitty/ |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[New York Daily News]] |pages=69 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'' wrote in November 1977 that the club attracted "a mix of punks, hairdressers, socialites, and suburbanites",<ref name="p146609042">{{Cite news |last=Hyde |first=Nina S. |author-link=Nina Hyde |date=November 13, 1977 |title=Comings and Goings at Studio 54: Fashion Notes |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |page=135 |id={{ProQuest|146609042}}}}</ref> while ''The New York Times'' said the club was "tolerant of errant squares".<ref name="nyt-1979-02-02">{{Cite news |last=Dunning |first=Jennifer |date=February 2, 1979 |title=Where To Fine The Latest Disco Steps |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/02/02/archives/where-to-find-the-latest-disco-steps-where-to-find-the-latest-steps.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915230840/https://www.nytimes.com/1979/02/02/archives/where-to-find-the-latest-disco-steps-where-to-find-the-latest-steps.html |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> [[Andy Warhol]], a regular guest of Studio 54, said the club was "a dictatorship on the door but a democracy on the dance floor".<ref name="Esquire 2021" /><ref name="nyt-2018-10-05">{{Cite news |last=Light |first=Alan |date=October 5, 2018 |title=A History of Studio 54, This Time Told by the Quiet Partner |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/05/movies/studio-54-documentary-ian-schrager.html |access-date=September 23, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Studio 54 enforced a photography ban to protect guests' privacy,<ref name="Irish 2020" /> but some images were still published, including a widely circulated image of Canadian first lady [[Margaret Trudeau]] without her underwear.<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 124">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=124|ps=.}}</ref>

Many guests used [[club drug]]s, and they often engaged in open sexual activity on the club's balcony and in private basement rooms.<ref name="Cochrane 2018">{{Cite web |last=Cochrane |first=Lauren |date=June 18, 2018 |title=Inside the real Studio 54: Sex balconies! Liza Minnelli! No hats! |url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jun/18/studio-54-michael-jackson-liza-minnelli-steve-rubell |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915183834/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jun/18/studio-54-michael-jackson-liza-minnelli-steve-rubell |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name="n109602220">{{Cite news |last=Riedel |first=Michael |date=March 10, 1996 |title=Those were the daze |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109602220/those-were-the-dazemichael-riedel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915183834/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109602220/those-were-the-dazemichael-riedel/ |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[New York Daily News]] |pages=178 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The ''Journal'' characterized most of the women guests as "beneficiaries of a fabulously lucky genetic selection" and that the men guests generally had an "aura of self-esteem born in the knowledge that one can successfully choose among the select".<ref name="p134198373" />  Celebrity appearances, which were almost guaranteed, were frequently showcased in New York City's daily newspapers and in [[Gossip columnist|gossip columns]].<ref name="n1096177193">{{Cite news |last=Oppenheim |first=Carol |date=September 6, 1979 |title=Studio 54 dances away its troubles |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109617719/studio-54-dances-away-its/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915230835/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109617719/studio-54-dances-away-its/ |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109617750/ 4] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="Haden-Guest p. 56">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=56|ps=.}}</ref> The nightclub was also frequented by many gay celebrities,<ref name="Irish 2020">{{Cite web |last=Irish |first=Anni |date=April 7, 2020 |title=The Artistic and Cultural Legacy of Studio 54 |url=https://www.artandobject.com/articles/artistic-and-cultural-legacy-studio-54 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023211457/https://www.artandobject.com/articles/artistic-and-cultural-legacy-studio-54 |archive-date=October 23, 2021 |access-date=September 18, 2022 |website=Art & Object}}</ref><ref name="Haden-Guest p. 562" /> leading [[Anthony Haden-Guest]] to write that the club became "one of the single most effective showcases for newly visible gay clout".<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 562">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=56|ps=.}}</ref> By 1978, there was a private dance floor behind a movable [[Scrim (lighting)|scrim]] on the main dance floor, as well as a VIP room in the basement, which could only be accessed by a hidden stairway.<ref name="Haden-Guest pp. 117-118" />

The club also hosted private parties that, at a minimum, cost tens of thousands of dollars.<ref name="p2513149544" /> The invitations to the parties were extravagant, using such materials as "Cupid's arrows, inflatable hearts, [or] jars of confetti".<ref name="Dool 2017" /> Among the events at Studio 54 was a New Year's Eve party hosted by event planner [[Robert Isabell]], who dumped four tons of [[glitter]] onto the floor, creating a four-inch layer that could be found in attendees' clothing and homes several months later.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weber |first=Bruce |date=July 10, 2009 |title=Robert Isabell, Who Turned Events Into Wondrous Occasions, Dies at 57 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/11/nyregion/11isabell.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208094351/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/11/nyregion/11isabell.html |archive-date=February 8, 2013 |access-date=July 14, 2009 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The organizers of a [[Valentine's Day]] party in 1979 imported 3,000 Dutch tulips, transported {{convert|4000|yd2}} of sod from Bermuda, and rented eight antique sculptures that each cost $17,000.<ref name="p1286224143">{{Cite magazine |last=Roth |first=Robert |date=March 3, 1979 |title=Disco: 'Be My Valentine' A Studio 54 Extra |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=44, 58 |volume=91 |issue=9 |id={{ProQuest|1286224143}}}}</ref> Other events at the club included fundraisers for local politicians, as well as a Halloween party hosted by the staff of ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine.<ref name="n1096177194">{{Cite news |last=Oppenheim |first=Carol |date=September 6, 1979 |title=Studio 54 dances away its troubles |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109617719/studio-54-dances-away-its/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915230835/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109617719/studio-54-dances-away-its/ |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109617750/ 4] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Studio 54 was also a filming location for several music videos, such as those for several songs in [[Musique (disco band)|Musique]]'s album ''[[Keep On Jumpin']]''.<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 113">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=113|ps=.}}</ref>

===== Notable patrons =====
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
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* [[Bella Abzug]]<ref name="TC" /><ref name=p1286403654/>
* [[Woody Allen]]<ref name="TC">{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Katie |date=April 27, 2017 |title=25 Incredible Photos of Celebrities Partying at Studio 54, photo of Woody Allen and Michael Jackson |url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/the-scene/parties/g9570917/studio-54-pictures-celebrities/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724030004/https://www.townandcountrymag.com/the-scene/parties/g9570917/studio-54-pictures-celebrities/ |archive-date=July 24, 2019 |access-date=April 9, 2019 |website=[[Town & Country (magazine)|Town & Country]]}}</ref><ref name=p1286403654/>
* [[Mikhail Baryshnikov]]<ref name="RS" />
* [[John Belushi]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 27, 2017 |title=Studio 54 owner looks back at partying with Rick James and others in new book |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/confidential/studio-54-owner-recalls-partying-rick-james-tell-all-article-1.3442782 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717215637/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/confidential/studio-54-owner-recalls-partying-rick-james-tell-all-article-1.3442782 |archive-date=July 17, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=[[New York Daily News]]}}</ref>
* [[Leonard Bernstein]]<ref name="Cooper 2017">{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Leonie |date=April 26, 2017 |title=On Studio 54's 40th birthday check out these incredible photos of the disco paradise |url=https://www.nme.com/photos/music-photos/studio-54s-40th-birthday-check-incredible-photos-disco-paradise-2060389 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702075610/http://www.nme.com/photos/music-photos/studio-54s-40th-birthday-check-incredible-photos-disco-paradise-2060389 |archive-date=July 2, 2018 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=[[NME]]}}</ref>
* [[Jacqueline Bisset]]<ref name="RS" />
* [[David Bowie]]<ref name="Vogue">{{Cite web |last=Valenti |first=Lauren |date=June 16, 2018 |title=Glitter, Gold And Sequins Galore: The 20 Most Iconic Looks From Studio 54 |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/studio-54-best-looks |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626173847/http://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/studio-54-best-looks |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |access-date=April 9, 2019 |website=British Vogue}}</ref>
* [[Truman Capote]]<ref name="TC" /><ref name=p1286403654/>
* [[Gia Carangi]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 3, 1993 |title=Gia's Life: Not a Model Success Story : Movies: Paramount has bought rights to the book on the glamour girl's life. But handling the sensitive subject of a gay heroin addict who died of AIDS is bogging down the project. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-06-03-ca-42996-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922125742/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-06-03-ca-42996-story.html |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 18, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>
* [[Allan Carr]]<ref name="Hofler" />
* [[Cher]]<ref name="RS" />
* [[Pat Cleveland]]<ref name="WWD">{{Cite web |last=Feitelberg |first=Rosemary |date=August 16, 2011 |title=Behind the Studio 54 Door |url=https://wwd.com/business-news/media/behind-the-studio-54-door-5067041/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812041748/https://wwd.com/business-news/media/behind-the-studio-54-door-5067041/ |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=[[Women's Wear Daily]]}}</ref>
* [[Roy Cohn]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barrett |first=Wayne |author-link=Wayne Barrett |date=March 5, 1979 |title=The Birthday Boy: Roy Cohn is 52 at 54 |url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2020/07/15/the-birthday-boy-roy-cohn-is-52-at-54/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221021454/https://www.villagevoice.com/2020/07/15/the-birthday-boy-roy-cohn-is-52-at-54/ |archive-date=February 21, 2022 |access-date=February 21, 2022 |work=[[The Village Voice]]}}</ref>
* [[Salvador Dalí]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 4, 2018 |title=Alice Cooper Remembers His Encounter with Salvador Dalí |url=https://www.anothermanmag.com/life-culture/10269/alice-cooper-remembers-his-encounter-with-salvador-dali |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409041308/http://www.anothermanmag.com/life-culture/10269/alice-cooper-remembers-his-encounter-with-salvador-dali |archive-date=April 9, 2019 |access-date=April 9, 2019 |website=AnotherMan}}</ref>
* [[Divine (performer)|Divine]]<ref name="Morley">{{Cite news |last=Morley |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Morley |date=August 20, 2009 |title=Disco years: Studio 54 and New York City in the 70s |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2009/aug/19/studio-54-new-york-city |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121215258/https://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2009/aug/19/studio-54-new-york-city |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2019 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>
* [[Faye Dunaway]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glasser |first=Joyce |date=June 20, 2018 |title=A riveting biopic of the legendary NYC disco club |url=https://www.maturetimes.co.uk/joyce-glasser-reviews-studio-54/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025072423/https://www.maturetimes.co.uk/joyce-glasser-reviews-studio-54/ |archive-date=October 25, 2021 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=[[Mature Times]]}}</ref>
* [[Doris Duke]]<ref name="TC" />
* [[Farrah Fawcett]]<ref name="Vogue" />
* [[Ric Flair]]<ref name="Hooton">{{Cite news |last=Hooton |first=Christopher |author-link=Christopher Hooton |date=May 31, 2018 |title=Studio 54: 15 things we learned about the hedonists' mecca from the new documentary |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/studio-54-documentary-film-sex-drugs-celebrities-guests-stories-a8377191.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/studio-54-documentary-film-sex-drugs-celebrities-guests-stories-a8377191.html |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |access-date=September 29, 2019 |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref>
* [[Betty Ford]]<ref name="NWI">{{Cite web |last=Platzer |first=Robin |date=July 14, 2011 |title=Party at Studio 54 with Betty Ford May 21, 1979 |url=https://www.nwitimes.com/entertainment/columnists/offbeat/party-at-studio-54-with-betty-ford-may-21-1979/image_c54892d1-d778-5f76-8b2e-6ab39e3b85ea.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922125742/https://www.nwitimes.com/entertainment/columnists/offbeat/party-at-studio-54-with-betty-ford-may-21-1979/image_c54892d1-d778-5f76-8b2e-6ab39e3b85ea.html |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |website=[[Northwest Indiana Times]]}}</ref>
* [[Tom Ford]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dowd |first=Maureen |date=April 20, 2019 |title=Tom Ford, Fragrant Vegan Vampire |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/20/style/tom-ford-maureen-dowd.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812055820/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/20/style/tom-ford-maureen-dowd.html |archive-date=August 12, 2022 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
* [[Diane von Fürstenberg]]<ref name="LC" />
* [[Richard Gallo (performance artist)|Richard Gallo]]<ref name="Irish 2020" />
* [[David Geffen]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Colacello |first=Bob |author-link=Bob Colacello |date=August 22, 2017 |title=Why Studio 54 Still Lives on in Our Imaginations |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/08/why-studio-54-still-lives-on-in-our-imaginations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811112201/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/08/why-studio-54-still-lives-on-in-our-imaginations |archive-date=August 11, 2020 |access-date=August 22, 2017 |website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]}}</ref>
* [[Martha Graham]]<ref name="NWI" /><ref name="WWD" />
* [[Richard Gere]]<ref name="Nast 2018">{{Cite web |date=May 27, 2018 |title=10 things we learned watching Studio 54 |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/studio-54-film-facts |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118040646/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/studio-54-film-facts |archive-date=January 18, 2022 |access-date=September 18, 2022 |website=British GQ}}</ref>
* [[Jerry Hall]]<ref name="PH">{{Cite book |last1=Persson |first1=Hasse |title=Studio 54 |last2=Loughran |first2=Kim |date=2014 |isbn=978-91-7126-329-2 |publication-place=Stockholm, Sweden |publisher=Bokförlaget [[:sv:Max Ström]] |oclc=898424693 }}</ref>
* [[Halston]]<ref name="LC">{{Cite web |last=Cochrane |first=Lauren |date=May 29, 2018 |title=Cher, Grace Jones and zipless dresses: why Studio 54 still defines dancefloor dressing |url=http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2018/may/29/cher-grace-jones-and-zipless-dresses-why-studio-54-still-defines-dancefloor-dressing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109010356/https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2018/may/29/cher-grace-jones-and-zipless-dresses-why-studio-54-still-defines-dancefloor-dressing |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name="NWI" />
* [[Victor Hugo (artist and window dresser)|Victor Hugo]]<ref name=PH/>
* [[Anjelica Huston]]<ref name="Colacello2013"/>
* [[Debbie Harry]]<ref name="PH" />
* [[Margaux Hemingway]]<ref name="RS" />
* [[Tommy Hilfiger]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Monte |date=September 5, 2013 |title=Going Bankrupt At Age 25 Changed Tommy Hilfiger's Life—For The Better |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/monteburke/2013/09/05/going-bankrupt-at-age-25-changed-tommy-hilfigers-life-for-the-better/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527195820/https://www.forbes.com/sites/monteburke/2013/09/05/going-bankrupt-at-age-25-changed-tommy-hilfigers-life-for-the-better/ |archive-date=May 27, 2022 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |website=Forbes}}</ref>
* [[Lauren Hutton]]<ref name="TC" />
* [[Sterling St. Jacques]]<ref name="Colacello2013" />
* [[Michael Jackson]]<ref name="PH" />
* [[Bianca Jagger]]<ref name="PH" /><ref name="RS" />
* [[Mick Jagger]]<ref name="PH" />
* [[Rick James]]<ref name="Hooton" />
* [[Bruce Jenner]]<!-- There as Bruce, cited as Bruce --><ref name="Hofler">{{Cite book |last=Hofler |first=Robert |title=Party Animals: A Hollywood Tale of Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll Starring the Fabulous Allan Carr |publisher=Hachette |year=2010 |isbn=9780306818943 |page=119}}</ref>{{efn|Bruce Jenner was later known as Caitlyn Jenner after publicly coming out as a [[trans woman]] in 2015. When she visited Studio 54, she had not come out yet.}}
* [[Elton John]]<ref name="Irish 2020" />
* [[Grace Jones]]<ref name="PH" />
* [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]]<ref name="mashable">{{Cite web |last=Wild |first=Chris |date=October 17, 2014 |title=Studio 54: The Star-Magnet of the 1970s |url=https://mashable.com/2014/10/17/studio-54-the-star-magnet-of-the-1970s/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404190144/https://mashable.com/2014/10/17/studio-54-the-star-magnet-of-the-1970s/ |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |access-date=April 9, 2019 |website=Mashable}}</ref>
* [[Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis]]<ref name="Hooton" /><ref name=p1286403654/>
* [[Eartha Kitt]]<ref name="mashable" />
* [[Calvin Klein]]<ref name="PH" />
* [[Karl Lagerfeld]]<ref name="RS" />
* [[Timothy Leary]]<ref name="mashable" />
* [[Fran Lebowitz]]<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Aletti |first=Vince |date=November 26, 2018 |title=Fran Lebowitz Doesn't Dance Anymore |url=https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2018/11/26/fran-lebowitz-doesnt-dance-anymore/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220202417/https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2018/11/26/fran-lebowitz-doesnt-dance-anymore/ |archive-date=December 20, 2021 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |magazine=[[The Paris Review]] |quote=originally in ''[[The Village Voice]]'', March 20, 1990.}}</ref>
* [[John Lennon]]<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Eckardt |first=Stephanie |date=July 15, 2017 |title=That Time Andy Warhol Kissed John Lennon, and More Studio 54-Era Snapshots |url=https://www.wmagazine.com/gallery/andy-warhol-christopher-makoss-studio-54-pictures |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313153602/https://www.wmagazine.com/gallery/andy-warhol-christopher-makoss-studio-54-pictures |archive-date=March 13, 2022 |access-date=March 13, 2022 |magazine=[[W (magazine)|W Magazine]]}}</ref>
* [[Lorna Luft]]<ref name="RS" />
* [[Bette Midler]]<ref name="mashable" />
* [[Liza Minnelli]]<ref name="RS" /><ref name="NWI" /><ref name=p1286403654/>
* [[Freddie Mercury]]<ref name="Hooton" />
* [[Jack Nicholson]]<ref name="Colacello2013" /><ref name=p1286403654/>
* [[Al Pacino]]<ref name="Hooton" />
* [[Dolly Parton]]<ref name="RS" />
* [[Paloma Picasso]]<ref name="CNN">{{Cite web |last=Dool |first=Steve |date=October 9, 2017 |title=Disco and debauchery inside Studio 54 |url=https://www.cnn.com/style/article/studio-54-ian-schrager/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301213935/http://www.cnn.com/style/article/studio-54-ian-schrager/index.html |archive-date=March 1, 2019 |access-date=April 9, 2019 |publisher=CNN Style}}</ref>
* [[Richard Pryor]]<ref name="mashable" />
* [[Gilda Radner]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 25, 2016 |title=One Night at Studio 54 |url=https://www.vintag.es/2015/10/one-night-at-studio-54.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408170142/https://www.vintag.es/2015/10/one-night-at-studio-54.html |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=Vintage Everyday}}</ref>
* [[Lou Reed]]<ref name="Hooton" />
* [[Geraldo Rivera]]<ref name="People">{{Cite web |last=Gleick |first=Elizabeth |date=January 1, 2015 |title=Geraldo Rivera |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20143711,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208185340/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20143711,00.html |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=January 1, 2016 |website=People}}</ref><ref name="NYMag">{{Cite web |date=December 14, 1998 |title=Geraldo's Last Laugh |url=http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/media/features/1715/index4.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208124328/http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/media/features/1715/index4.html |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=January 1, 2016 |website=New York}}</ref>
* [[Rollerena Fairy Godmother]]<ref>{{cite magazine | last=Gooch | first=Brad | title=Studio 54's Cast List: A Who's Who of the 1970s Nightlife Circuit | magazine=Vanity Fair | date=August 21, 2013 | url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/1987/05/studio-54-nightclub-new-york-city | access-date=February 19, 2025}}</ref>
* [[Diana Ross]]<ref name="RS" />
* [[Brooke Shields]]<ref name="PH" /><ref>{{Cite interview |title=Brooke Shields |url=http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/brooke-shields-part-1-2711/1287260/ |access-date=November 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820003412/http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/brooke-shields-part-1-2711/1287260/ |archive-date=August 20, 2011 |work=Late Night with Jimmy Fallon |publisher=[[NBC]] |date=February 7, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Frank Sinatra]]<ref name=p1286403654/>
* [[Sylvester Stallone]]<ref name="RS" />
* [[Paul Stanley]]<ref name="RS" />
* [[Percy Sutton]]<ref name=p1286403654/>
* [[Tallulah (DJ)|Tallulah]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 22, 2016 |title=Interview: Tallulah |url=https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2016/06/tallulah-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618203420/https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2016/06/tallulah-interview/ |archive-date=June 18, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=Red Bull Music Academy Daily}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 8, 2008 |title=DJ Tallulah |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/england/london-travel/dj-tallulah-j3lrvt8xsgm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118203306/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dj-tallulah-j3lrvt8xsgm |archive-date=January 18, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=[[The Times]]}}</ref>
* [[Elizabeth Taylor]]<ref name="PH" /><ref name="RS" /><ref name="NWI" />
* [[John Travolta]]<ref name="PH" />
* [[Margaret Trudeau]]<ref name="mashable" />
* [[Donald Trump|Donald]] and [[Ivana Trump]]<ref name="RS">{{Cite magazine |last=Runtagh |first=Jordan |date=April 26, 2017 |title=Studio 54: 10 Wild Stories From Club's Debauched Heyday |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/studio-54-10-wild-stories-from-clubs-debauched-heyday-198626/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404215741/https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/studio-54-10-wild-stories-from-clubs-debauched-heyday-198626/ |archive-date=April 4, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}} (citing {{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997}})</ref>
* [[Tina Turner]]<ref name="PH" />
* [[Valentino (fashion designer)|Valentino]]<ref name="CNN" />
* [[Diana Vreeland]]<ref name="Morley" />
* [[Andy Warhol]]<ref name="Irish 2020" />
* [[Robin Williams]]<ref name="mashable" />
{{div col end}}

===== Other notables =====
* Actor [[Al Corley]] was a doorman during the late 1970s.<ref name="Colacello2013" />
* Actor [[Alec Baldwin]] worked for two months as a waiter at Studio 54.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 19, 2012 |title=New Again: Alec Baldwin |url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/new-again-alec-baldwin |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125133931/https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/new-again-alec-baldwin |archive-date=November 25, 2018 |access-date=April 9, 2019 |first1=Colleen |last1=Kelsey |first2=Charles |last2=Kaiser |website=Interview}}</ref>
* [[Sally Lippman]], also known as "Disco Sally", was a 77-year-old widow and regular dancer at the club.<ref name="nyt-1978-04-28" />
* Carolina Somoza, daughter of Nicaraguan president [[Anastasio Somoza Debayle]]{{sfn|Haden-Guest|1997|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=POIVBgAAQBAJ&pg=PT208 208]}}

=== Downfall ===

==== License issues and other disputes ====
Schrager did not have a liquor license when the club opened, despite having applied to the NYSLA for such a license.<ref name="n109594204">{{Cite news |last=Lane |first=Robert |date=May 22, 1977 |title=Cops Raid New Disco, Teach Stars the Scram |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109594204/cops-raid-new-disco-teach-stars-the/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915161819/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109594204/cops-raid-new-disco-teach-stars-the/ |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[New York Daily News]] |pages=243 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Instead, the nightclub applied for a "caterers' permit" every day; these permits were intended for weddings or political events, but they technically allowed the venue to serve alcohol.<ref name="nyt-1977-05-22" /><ref name="Haden-Guest p. 74">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=74|ps=.}}</ref> The club also did not have a certificate of occupancy or a public assembly license, prompting tipsters to complain to several federal agencies.<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 74" /> On May 21, 1977, the NYSLA raided the nightclub for selling liquor without a license.<ref name="n109594204" /><ref name="nyt-1977-05-22">{{Cite news |last=Blau |first=Eleanor |date=May 22, 1977 |title=Liquor Authority Head Stops Discotheque's Music |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/05/22/archives/liquor-authority-head-stops-discotheques-music.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915121753/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/05/22/archives/liquor-authority-head-stops-discotheques-music.html |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The club reopened the next night, serving fruit juice and soda instead of liquor.<ref name="p1286415783">{{Cite magazine |date=June 4, 1977 |title=Discos: N.Y. Studio 54 Reopened After Licensing Shutdown |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=54 |volume=89 |issue=22 |id={{ProQuest|1286415783}}}}</ref> Studio 54 continued serving non-alcoholic drinks exclusively until a justice for the [[New York Supreme Court]], the state's trial-level court, ordered the NYSLA to grant Studio 54 a liquor license that October.<ref name="p1286211529">{{Cite magazine |date=October 15, 1977 |title=Discos: Studio 54 In N.Y. Resumes Liquor Sales |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=62 |volume=89 |issue=41 |id={{ProQuest|1286211529}}}}</ref><ref name="Haden-Guest p. 76">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=76|ps=.}}</ref> The NYSLA's chairman complied with the Supreme Court ruling but objected to it, claiming that the judge had been influenced by Studio 54's upscale clientele.<ref name="nyt-1977-11-15">{{Cite news |last=Raab |first=Selwyn |date=November 15, 1977 |title=S.L.A. Head Criticizes Judge on Studio 54 License |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/11/15/archives/sla-head-criticizes-judge-on-studio-54-license.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915174616/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/11/15/archives/sla-head-criticizes-judge-on-studio-54-license.html |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="p1286403654">{{Cite magazine |last=Radcliffe |first=Joe |date=November 26, 1977 |title=Discos: New Controversy Snares Studio 54 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=66, 90 |volume=89 |issue=47 |id={{ProQuest|1286403654}}}}</ref> The [[New York Court of Appeals]] upheld the Supreme Court's decision in June 1978.<ref name="nyt-1978-06-30" />

Schrager also applied for a [[cabaret]] license from the DCA, which did not grant Studio 54 a permanent cabaret license for more than a year.<ref name="p964374699">{{Cite news |last=Gilgoff |first=Henry |date=June 1, 1978 |title=Discotheque Challenged On Fire Code Violations |work=[[Newsday]] |page=24Q |id={{ProQuest|964374699}}}}</ref><ref name="p1286399546">{{Cite magazine |date=July 1, 1978 |title=General News: Studio 54 Hearing Due |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=49 |volume=90 |issue=26 |id={{ProQuest|1286399546}}}}</ref> A contributing factor was that the city government only employed three cabaret inspectors, who could not validate all of the city's cabaret licenses in a timely manner. Additionally, the DCA rarely fined unlicensed cabarets more than $25.<ref name="n109601619" /> At the beginning of June 1978, DCA officials said the cabaret application had not been approved because of multiple violations of fire codes, though the [[New York City Fire Department]] refused to provide further details about these violations.<ref name="p964374699" /> The DCA could also deny a permanent license because of unresolved consumer complaints, such as those concerning Studio 54's annual memberships.<ref name="p1286399546" /> The DCA refused to renew Studio 54's temporary cabaret license in August 1978 because Schrager and Rubell had not refunded all of the memberships.<ref name="n109601619" />

Also in August 1978, the [[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers]] (ASCAP) sued Rubell and Schrager, alleging that the co-owners had failed to pay licensing fees for six performances that ASCAP had staged at Studio 54 earlier that year.<ref name="p1286277384">{{Cite magazine |date=August 19, 1978 |title=General News: ASCAP Suing N.Y. Studio 54 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=8 |volume=90 |issue=33 |id={{ProQuest|1286277384}}}}</ref> Studio 54 ultimately paid ASCAP for a license in November 1978.<ref name="p1286324917">{{Cite magazine |last=Roth |first=Robert |date=November 18, 1978 |title=Financial: ASCAP Signs Studio 54 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=8 |volume=90 |issue=46 |id={{ProQuest|1286324917}}}}</ref> The [[National Labor Relations Board]] was also investigating the club by February 1979 after some workers alleged that the club had engaged in [[unfair labor practice]]s.<ref name="p1286384714">{{Cite magazine |date=February 3, 1979 |title=Disco: NLRB Complaint Vs. Studio 54 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=40 |volume=91 |issue=5 |id={{ProQuest|1286384714}}}}</ref>

==== End of the first era ====
[[File:Studio 54 New York Cabaret 1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Studio 54's balcony]]
In December 1978, a tipster called the [[Internal Revenue Service]] (IRS), alleging that Rubell and Schrager were [[Skimming (fraud)|skimming]] profits.<ref name="n109602620">{{Cite news |last1=Sanders |first1=D. J. |last2=Singleton |first2=Donald |date=December 16, 1978 |title=Skim scam tip led feds to raid Studio 54 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109602620/skim-scam-tip-led-feds-to-raid-studio/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915183840/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109602620/skim-scam-tip-led-feds-to-raid-studio/ |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[New York Daily News]] |pages=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="Haden-Guest pp. 130-131">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|pp=130–131|ps=.}}</ref> The tip came from a disgruntled ex-employee, who also alleged that [[cocaine]] was illegally being stored in the basement.<ref name="Haden-Guest pp. 130-131" /> Shortly after, IRS agents raided Studio 54 and arrested Rubell and Schrager.<ref name="n109602620" /><ref name="nyt-1978-12-15">{{Cite news |last=Kihss |first=Peter |date=December 15, 1978 |title=I. R. S. Raids Studio 54; 5 Ounces of Cocaine Seized |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/12/15/archives/irs-raids-studio-54-5-ounces-of-cocaine-seized-studio-54-raided-by.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915190350/https://www.nytimes.com/1978/12/15/archives/irs-raids-studio-54-5-ounces-of-cocaine-seized-studio-54-raided-by.html |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="Haden-Guest p. 132">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=132|ps=.}}</ref> The club continued to operate the night of the raid.<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 132" /><ref name="nyt-1978-12-16">{{Cite news |last=Gupte |first=Pranay |date=December 16, 1978 |title=Studio 54 Inquiry Termed Far-Ranging |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/12/16/archives/studio-54-inquiry-termed-farranging-cohn-says-it-was-a-setup.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915190348/https://www.nytimes.com/1978/12/16/archives/studio-54-inquiry-termed-farranging-cohn-says-it-was-a-setup.html |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> A [[federal grand jury]] indicted Rubell and Schrager on charges of tax evasion in June 1979, observing that the two men had [[skimming (fraud)|skimmed]] $2.5 million, or as much as 60&nbsp;percent of Studio 54's receipts over the past two years.<ref name="p134444214" /><ref name="nyt19790629">{{Cite news |last=H.lubasch |first=Arnold |date=June 29, 1979 |title=Two Who Own Studio 54 Cited On Tax Charges |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/06/29/archives/two-who-own-studio-54-cited-25-million-skimmed-us-indictment.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214142333/https://www.nytimes.com/1979/06/29/archives/two-who-own-studio-54-cited-25-million-skimmed-us-indictment.html |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |access-date=December 14, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> In an unsuccessful<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 143">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=143|ps=.}}</ref> attempt to lessen the charges against the club's co-owners,<ref name="p147120062">{{Cite news |last=Kennedy |first=John |date=November 3, 1979 |title=Studio 54 Owners Plead Guilty To Income Tax Evasion Charges |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |page=A8 |id={{ProQuest|147120062}}}}</ref><ref name="Haden-Guest p. 134">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=134|ps=.}}</ref> Schrager's lawyer [[Mitchell Rogovin]] alleged that [[Hamilton Jordan]], chief of staff to U.S. president [[Jimmy Carter]], had used cocaine in the club's basement.<ref name="n109617719" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Taubman |first=Philip |date=August 25, 1979 |title=Jordan Under Inquiry on Cocaine; He Denies the Report by Studio 54 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/08/25/archives/jordan-under-inquiry-on-cocaine-he-denies-the-report-by-studio-54.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915230835/https://www.nytimes.com/1979/08/25/archives/jordan-under-inquiry-on-cocaine-he-denies-the-report-by-studio-54.html |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> In anticipation of increasing interest in rock music, Rubell and Schrager spent $1.2 million to renovate Studio 54 in late 1979. They installed a grand [[chandelier]] and a [[fly system]] above the stage, as well as removing seats from the balcony.<ref name="p1505932394">{{Cite magazine |date=November 24, 1979 |title=Disco: Studio 54 In N.Y. Is Expending $1.2 Million For Its Refurbishing |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=51 |volume=91 |issue=47 |id={{ProQuest|1505932394}}}}</ref>

Rubell and Schrager ultimately pleaded guilty to tax evasion in November 1979,<ref name="p147120062" /><ref name="nyt-1979-11-03">{{Cite news |date=November 3, 1979 |title=The City; 2 Studio 54 Owners Admit Tax Evasion Wrong Man Shot By Officer in Holdup State Guard Held In Shooting at Bar Drug Program Audit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/11/03/archives/the-city-2-studio-54-owners-admit-tax-evasion-wrong-man-shot-by.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915230834/https://www.nytimes.com/1979/11/03/archives/the-city-2-studio-54-owners-admit-tax-evasion-wrong-man-shot-by.html |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> after ''New York'' magazine published a cover story describing the "party favors" that the two men gave to their friends.<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 143" /> In exchange, federal prosecutors agreed not to charge the men with [[obstruction of justice]] and [[Criminal conspiracy|conspiracy]].<ref name="p147120062" /><ref name="nyt-1979-11-03" /> By then, the club was in danger of losing its liquor license after the owners had pleaded guilty to tax evasion, as the NYSLA did not give liquor licenses to convicted felons.<ref name="p1533622727">{{Cite news |date=December 2, 1979 |title=Famed US disco may lose licence: New York, Dec 1 |work=South China Morning Post |page=6 |id={{ProQuest|1533622727}}}}</ref> Rubell and Schrager were each sentenced to three and a half years in prison in January 1980.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lubasch |first=Arnold H. |date=January 19, 1980 |title=Two Studio 54 Owners Are Given 3 Years for Evading U.S. Taxes; No Appeal Is Possible 2 Studio 54 Owners Get 3 Years |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/01/19/archives/two-studio-54-owners-are-given-3-years-for-evading-us-taxes-no.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214142810/https://www.nytimes.com/1980/01/19/archives/two-studio-54-owners-are-given-3-years-for-evading-us-taxes-no.html |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |access-date=December 14, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 19, 1980 |title=Studio 54 Owners Sentenced to Jail |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109620310/studio-54-owners-sentenced-to-jail/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915233817/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109620310/studio-54-owners-sentenced-to-jail/ |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[Newsday]] |pages=10 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The two men attended a final party on the night of February 2–3, 1980, with [[Diana Ross]] and [[Liza Minnelli]] singing for numerous guests.<ref name="RS" /><ref name="Haden-Guest pp. 146-147">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|pp=146–147|ps=.}}</ref> Rubell and Schrager began serving their sentences two days afterward.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Parker |first=Jerry |date=February 4, 1980 |title=Early to bed for Studio 54 owners |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90555300/early-to-bed-for-studio-54-ownersjerry/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214141853/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90555300/early-to-bed-for-studio-54-ownersjerry/ |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |access-date=December 14, 2021 |work=[[Newsday]] |page=103 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1980-02-05">{{Cite news |date=February 5, 1980 |title=The City; State Urges Censure Of Civil Court Judge Boy, 3, Is Killed In a Fire in Queens Owners of Studio 54 Begin Prison Terms Fiumara's New Jury |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/02/05/archives/the-city-state-urges-censure-of-civil-court-judge-boy-3-is-killed.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915233745/https://www.nytimes.com/1980/02/05/archives/the-city-state-urges-censure-of-civil-court-judge-boy-3-is-killed.html |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Ultimately, Rubell and Schrager were [[parole]]d after a year,<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 1, 1981 |title=Studio 54's Ex-owners in New York to Finish Sentences in Tax Case |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/02/01/nyregion/studio-54-s-ex-owners-in-new-york-to-finish-sentences-in-tax-case.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524075326/http://www.nytimes.com/1981/02/01/nyregion/studio-54-s-ex-owners-in-new-york-to-finish-sentences-in-tax-case.html |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> and Schrager received a [[Presidential Pardon]] decades later.<ref name="nyt-2017-01-19">{{Cite news |last=Nir |first=Sarah Maslin |date=January 19, 2017 |title=On Obama's Pardon List: A Hotel Magnate Who Owned Studio 54 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/18/nyregion/obama-pardons-ian-schrager.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616152226/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/18/nyregion/obama-pardons-ian-schrager.html |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>{{efn|Schrager received a presidential pardon from [[Barack Obama]] in 2017, but Rubell died in 1989.<ref name="nyt-2017-01-19" />}}

The NYSLA unanimously voted not to renew Studio 54's liquor license on February 28, 1980, citing Rubell's and Schrager's criminal convictions, although the club was allowed to continue operating.<ref name="nyt-1980-02-28">{{Cite news |last=Rule |first=Sheila |date=February 28, 1980 |title=Studio 54 Is Rejected By State on Renewal Of Its Liquor License; One-Man Raid in 1977 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/02/28/archives/studio-54-is-rejected-by-state-on-renewal-of-its-liquor-license.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915233750/https://www.nytimes.com/1980/02/28/archives/studio-54-is-rejected-by-state-on-renewal-of-its-liquor-license.html |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 28, 1980 |title=Studio 54 Loses Its Liquor License |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109620394/studio-54-loses-its-liquor-license/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915233757/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109620394/studio-54-loses-its-liquor-license/ |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |pages=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The club lost its liquor license on February 29, and the club started serving fruit punch the next day.<ref name="n109620467">{{Cite news |date=March 2, 1980 |title=Studio 54 Switches From Liquor to Punch |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109620467/studio-54-switches-from-liquor-to-punch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915233804/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109620467/studio-54-switches-from-liquor-to-punch/ |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[Newsday]] |pages=18 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="n109620501">{{Cite news |last=Poster |first=Tom |date=March 2, 1980 |title=54's studious lawyers looking to clean house |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109620501/54s-studious-lawyers-looking-to-clean/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915233814/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109620501/54s-studious-lawyers-looking-to-clean/ |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[New York Daily News]] |pages=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Studio 54's lawyers also announced that they would create a board of directors to operate the club.<ref name="n109620501" /> The third co-owner, Jack Dushey, had received a $10,000 fine and had been sentenced to five years of [[unsupervised probation]] after being convicted of conspiracy charges in March 1980.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 4, 1980 |title=The City; 3 More Inmates Escape at Rikers Ex-Owner Fined In Studio 54 Case Flyer Is Acquitted In Extortion Trial Man and Woman Shot to Death Subway Riders Aid Police in a Capture |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/03/04/archives/the-city-3-more-inmates-escape-at-rikers-exowner-fined-in-studio-54.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915233747/https://www.nytimes.com/1980/03/04/archives/the-city-3-more-inmates-escape-at-rikers-exowner-fined-in-studio-54.html |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> By the end of that month, Rubell was considering selling the club,<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 29, 1980 |title=The City; Subway Offender Slain on D Train State Inquiry Asked Over Foster Care Sale of Studio 54 Under Negotiation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/03/29/archives/the-city-subway-offender-slain-on-d-train-state-inquiry-asked-over.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915233822/https://www.nytimes.com/1980/03/29/archives/the-city-subway-offender-slain-on-d-train-state-inquiry-asked-over.html |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="p2215368335">{{Cite news |date=March 30, 1980 |title=Studio 54's jailed owner offers disco for $5 million |work=The Austin American Statesman |page=A2 |id={{proQuest|2215368335}}}}</ref> despite having promised just two months prior that he would never sell Studio 54.<ref name="p2215368335" /> Among those who expressed interest in the club were restaurateur [[Mark Fleischman]], television host [[Dick Clark]], and record executive [[Neil Bogart]].<ref name="p2215368335" /><ref name="p1286352965">{{Cite magazine |last=Radcliffe |first=Joe |date=August 22, 1981 |title=General News: Studio 54 Sets Reopening In N.Y. Under New Owner |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=6, 47 |volume=93 |issue=33 |id={{ProQuest|1286352965}}}}</ref> The club closed down at the end of that March, as the revocation of the liquor license had caused a sharp decrease in business.<ref name="p1438308219">{{Cite magazine |date=April 2, 1980 |title=Personal Appearance: Eatery Magnate Buys Studio 54 For $5-Mil |magazine=Variety |pages=83 |volume=298 |issue=9 |id={{ProQuest|1438308219}}}}</ref><ref name="p1286438355">{{Cite magazine |last=Radcliffe |first=Joe |date=April 12, 1980 |title=Discos: Studio 54 Sold For $5 Mil |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=39 |volume=92 |issue=15 |id={{ProQuest|1286438355}}}}</ref> Early the next month,<ref name="p1438308219" /><ref name="p1286438355" />  Fleischman agreed to buy an [[Option (finance)|option]] that would allow him to purchase the club for $5 million.<ref name="p1286416315">{{Cite magazine |date=May 14, 1980 |title=Personal Appearances: Studio 54 Re-Lit In V.I.; N.Y. Club Awaits Permit; Stein Suit Settled |magazine=Variety |pages=131 |volume=299 |issue=2 |id={{ProQuest|1286416315}}}}</ref>

===Fleischman and Weiss operation===
[[Mark Fleischman]] announced his plan to take over Studio 54, seeking to host live shows there and obtain a liquor license from the NYSLA.<ref name="p1286363679">{{Cite magazine |last=Radcliffe |first=Joe |date=May 24, 1980 |title=Disco Business: New N.Y. Studio 54 Will Feature Live Concerts |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=41 |volume=92 |issue=21 |id={{ProQuest|1286363679}}}}</ref><ref name="p1438310081">{{Cite magazine |date=May 14, 1980 |title=Personal Appearances: Studio 54 Re-Lit In V.I.; N.Y. Club Awaits Permit; Stein Suit Settled |magazine=Variety |pages=131 |volume=299 |issue=2 |id={{ProQuest|1438310081}}}}</ref> Studio 54 remained shuttered through the rest of the year, in large part because Rubell and Schrager continued to file legal objections against the NYSLA's revocation of the club's liquor license. The authority would not issue a liquor license as long as the club was involved in active litigation.<ref name="p1286416315" /> Mike Stone Productions leased the club from Rubell and Schrager in early 1981, and the club started hosting private events again, albeit without alcoholic drinks and only on Friday and Saturday nights.<ref name="p1286412254">{{Cite magazine |last=Radcliffe |first=Joe |date=June 6, 1981 |title=Disco Business: Studio 54 Is Regaining Popularity |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=71–72 |volume=93 |issue=22 |id={{ProQuest|1286412254}}}}</ref> Rubell's company sold the building to Philip Pilevsky for $1.15 million in cash in August 1981, leasing back space from Pilevsky.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 30, 1981 |title=Reality News; Studio 54 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/08/30/realestate/reality-news-studio-54.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407211550/https://www.nytimes.com/1981/08/30/realestate/reality-news-studio-54.html |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |access-date=December 14, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Fleischman applied for a liquor license from the NYSLA, which agreed to grant the license on the condition that Rubell and Schrager not be involved in any way.<ref name="p1286352965" /> Fleischman also repainted the interior and removed the original club's light fixtures,<ref name="nyt-1981-08-25">{{Cite news |last=Duka |first=John |date=August 25, 1981 |title=Notes on Fashion |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/08/25/style/notes-on-fashion.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126102622/http://www.nytimes.com/1981/08/25/style/notes-on-fashion.html |archive-date=January 26, 2018 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> and he paid the New York state government $250,000 in [[back taxes]].<ref name="p2686003281">{{Cite magazine |date=October 15, 1981 |title=Studio 54: dim watted opening |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |page=38-39 |issue=354 |id={{proQuest|2686003281}}}}</ref>

Studio 54 officially reopened to the public on September 15, 1981.<ref name="p147253265">{{Cite news |last=Zito |first=Tom |date=September 17, 1981 |title=The Seen Scene: New York's Studio 54 Rises From the Ruins The Seen Scene's Back |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=C1 |id={{ProQuest|147253265}}}}</ref><ref name="n109649225">{{Cite news |date=September 16, 1981 |title=Stars Dance as Studio 54 Reopens With Lightning Thunder |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109649225/stars-dance-as-studio-54-reopens-with/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922131755/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109649225/stars-dance-as-studio-54-reopens-with/ |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |pages=10 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="Haden-Guest p. 206">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=206|ps=.}}</ref> Fleischman and his partner Jeffrey London mailed out 12,000 invitations for Studio 54's reopening,<ref name="n109649225" /><ref name="Haden-Guest p. 206" /> which were delivered on 25-watt silver lightbulbs.<ref name="p2686003281" /> [[Jim Fouratt]] and [[Rudolf Piper]] were hired as Studio 54's new managers.<ref name="nyt-1981-08-25" /><ref name="p2686003281" /><ref name="Haden-Guest p. 205">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=205|ps=.}}</ref> Initially, the club hosted "Modern Classix nights" during Wednesdays and Sundays, while it hosted disco music for the remainder of the week.<ref name="nyt-1981-08-25" /><ref name="Haden-Guest p. 206" /> There was also a 32-track recording studio in the basement, which was used for recording promotional videos and rock concerts.<ref name="p1286393999">{{Cite magazine |last=Foti |first=Laura |date=January 16, 1982 |title=Video: Video Taking Hold At New York Discotheques |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=32, 42 |volume=94 |issue=2 |id={{ProQuest|1286393999}}}}</ref> Notable figures associated with the second iteration of Studio 54 included doorman [[Haoui Montaug]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 12, 1991 |title=Haoui Montaug; Disco Doorman, 39 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/12/obituaries/haoui-montaug-disco-doorman-39.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220918224023/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/12/obituaries/haoui-montaug-disco-doorman-39.html |archive-date=September 18, 2022 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]] |page=25}}</ref> as well as [[Paul Heyman]], who was a photographer, producer, and promoter at the club.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Loverro |first=Thom |title=The rise & fall of ECW : extreme championship wrestling |date=2006 |publisher=Pocket |isbn=978-1-4165-1058-1 |publication-place=London |page=14 |oclc=159489722 |author-link=Thom Loverro}}</ref> A notable guest during this time was [[Drew Barrymore]], who was nine years old when her mother took her to Studio 54.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hattenstone |first=Simon |author-link=Simon Hattenstone |date=October 25, 2015 |title=Drew Barrymore: 'My mother locked me up in an institution at 13. Boo hoo! I needed it' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/oct/25/drew-barrymore-mother-locked-up-in-institution-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025170227/http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/oct/25/drew-barrymore-mother-locked-up-in-institution-interview |archive-date=October 25, 2015 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Within three months of the club's reopening, Fleischman had ousted Fouratt and Piper, who opened the [[Danceteria]] nightclub.<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 209">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=209|ps=.}}</ref>

In 1982, social activist [[Jerry Rubin]] started hosting "Business Networking Salons", a networking event for businesspeople, at the club on Wednesday nights. Prospective guests would only be admitted if they had a business card;<ref name="n109650640">{{Cite news |last=Coakley |first=Michael |date=January 23, 1983 |title=Rubin's 'radical' route to wealth |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109650640/rubins-radical-route-to/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922131753/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109650640/rubins-radical-route-to/ |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |pages=213, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109650671/ 216] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="p535750096">{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Bill |date=December 12, 1982 |title=Survivors of the Sixties: Jerry Rubin from agitator to entrepreneur His weekly 'networking salon' packs Studio 54 at $8 a head |work=The Sun |page=E1 |id={{proQuest|535750096}}}}</ref>  the networking events quickly became popular, often attracting 1,500 guests.<ref name="p197997643">{{Cite magazine |last=Berger |first=Amy |date=June 13, 1985 |title=Networking: Big Business for Making Contacts |magazine=Business Journal of New Jersey Weekly |page=1 |volume=2 |issue=35 |id={{proQuest|197997643}}}}</ref> For other events, Studio 54 implemented an invitation system, which enabled its operators to restrict some events to select guests without turning them away at the door. The club's mailing list had 200,000 names by 1984.<ref name="p397941265">{{Cite news |last=Kaufman |first=Joanne |date=June 21, 1984 |title=Club Scene: Come to Our Party, Whoever You Are |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|397941265}}}}</ref> Frank Cashman acquired the $3 million [[lien]] on the club in late 1984.<ref name="Haden-Guest p. 240">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|p=240|ps=.}}</ref> The same year, Studio 54 also hosted special musical performances, starting with a series of concerts by [[Julie Budd]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shepard |first=Richard F. |date=December 19, 1984 |title=Going Out Guide |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/12/19/arts/going-out-guide.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201133344/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/12/19/arts/going-out-guide.html |archive-date=February 1, 2018 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Meanwhile, the club was gradually losing long-time regulars to competing discotheques,<ref name="p1438443702">{{Cite magazine |date=November 20, 1985 |title=Personal Appearances: Bankrupt Studio 54 Reeling In Its Rope |magazine=Variety |pages=107 |volume=321 |issue=4 |id={{ProQuest|1438443702}}}}</ref> including the [[Palladium (New York City)|Palladium]], which Rubell and Schrager had opened after being released from prison.<ref name="n109653091">{{Cite news |date=November 14, 1985 |title=End of era: Studio 54 goes belly up |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109653091/end-of-era-studio-54-goes-belly-up/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922131754/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109653091/end-of-era-studio-54-goes-belly-up/ |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=[[New York Daily News]] |pages=134 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The club also faced several lawsuits from disgruntled high-profile guests, such as football player [[Mark Gastineau]] and a basketball player.<ref name="Haden-Guest pp. 288-289">{{harvnb|Haden-Guest|1997|pp=288–289|ps=.}}</ref>

Fleischman filed for bankruptcy in November 1985; he had planned to spend $250,000 on renovations to attract guests.<ref name="p1438443702" /><ref name="n109653091" /> The club closed in April 1986 because it could not obtain liability insurance,<ref name="p138801516">{{Cite news |last=Gelb |first=Lisa Serene |date=April 12, 1986 |title=Personalities |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |page=C3 |id={{ProQuest|138801516}}}}</ref><ref name="p899863232">{{Cite news |last=Zampier |first=Edmund |date=April 12, 1986 |title=People in the News |work=The Hartford Courant |page=AA2 |id={{ProQuest|899863232}}}}</ref> in part because Studio 54 was losing so many of the lawsuits in which it was involved.<ref name="Haden-Guest pp. 288-289" /> Subsequently, Shalom Weiss took over Studio 54.<ref name="p239230375">{{Cite news |date=January 27, 1989 |title=Manhattan's famed Studio 54 ordered closed for rampant drug use |work=Ottawa Citizen |page=B3 |id={{proQuest|239230375}}}}</ref><ref name="n109655142">{{Cite news |last=Christensen |first=Deborah |date=January 27, 1989 |title=80s Drug Scene Turns 54 Into an Unlucky Number |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109655142/80s-drug-scene-turns-54-into-an-unlucky/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922131754/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109655142/80s-drug-scene-turns-54-into-an-unlucky/ |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |pages=99 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The nightclub tended to attract a young and racially mixed clientele who were frequently involved in fights, prompting complaints from local residents.<ref name="nyt-1989-05-07">{{Cite news |last=Freitag |first=Michael |date=May 7, 1989 |title=Life Style; Neighbors Complain As Nightclub Crowds Turn to Violence |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/07/style/life-style-neighbors-complain-as-nightclub-crowds-turn-to-violence.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815141332/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/07/style/life-style-neighbors-complain-as-nightclub-crowds-turn-to-violence.html |archive-date=August 15, 2021 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> City officials revoked the club's cabaret license for two years in January 1989 after finding that the club's patrons frequently used cocaine illegally. The officials alleged that Studio 54 employees not only encouraged illegal drug use but also used cocaine themselves.<ref name="p239230375" /><ref name="n109655142" /> In addition, the club admitted guests as young as 13 and had falsely advertised itself as selling alcoholic beverages.<ref name="p239230375" />

=== The Ritz and Cabaret Royale ===
{{main|The Ritz (rock club)}}
Studio 54 was dilapidated by the late 1980s; the walls had peeling paint, while the auditorium's dome had been concealed by a [[dropped ceiling]]. Neil Cohen and John Scher, owners of [[The Ritz (rock club)|the Ritz]] nightclub, leased the space from Philip Pilevsky for 25 years in 1989.<ref name="nyt-1989-04-05">{{Cite news |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |date=April 5, 1989 |title=Ritz Shuns Glitz for Charming Past |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/05/nyregion/ritz-shuns-glitz-for-charming-past.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815100142/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/05/nyregion/ritz-shuns-glitz-for-charming-past.html |archive-date=August 15, 2021 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> They spent $2 million to restore the theater, adding fixed seating at [[orchestra]] level<ref name="nyt-1989-04-05" /> and installing production equipment above the stage.<ref name="n109655467">{{Cite news |last=Williams |first=Stephen |date=April 2, 1989 |title=Moving' Up the Ritz |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109655467/moving-up-the-ritzstephen-williams/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922131754/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109655467/moving-up-the-ritzstephen-williams/ |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=[[Newsday]] |pages=71 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="p1286462312">{{Cite magazine |last=Duffy |first=Thorn |date=April 22, 1989 |title=Talent: the BEAT – Puttin' On The Ritz At New Midtown Digs; Vandross Sells Out U.K.; Bowie Teams Up |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=37 |volume=101 |issue=16 |id={{ProQuest|1286462312}}}}</ref> Cohen and Scher anticipated that the club could fit 3,000 people, including standees,<ref name="nyt-1989-04-05" /><ref name="p1286462312" /> although the theater only had about 1,800 seats.<ref name="n109655467" /><ref name="nyt-1989-10-20">{{Cite news |last=Pareles |first=Jon |date=October 20, 1989 |title=Pop/Jazz; What's New, What's Hot, On the Live Music Scene |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/20/arts/pop-jazz-what-s-new-what-s-hot-on-the-live-music-scene.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220011356/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/20/arts/pop-jazz-what-s-new-what-s-hot-on-the-live-music-scene.html |archive-date=December 20, 2017 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The Ritz relocated from the [[East Village, Manhattan|East Village]] to Studio 54 on April 5, 1989.<ref name="nyt-1989-04-05" /><ref name="n109655467" /> According to ''The New York Times'', the new Ritz was more popular than the old location because both the orchestra and balcony had "excellent sound and sightlines".<ref name="nyt-1989-10-20" /> The Ritz was primarily a rock club, but it also hosted performances of pop music<ref name="nyt-1993-03-17">{{Cite news |last=Rule |first=Sheila |date=March 17, 1993 |title=Serious Pop Uptown? The Ritz Gives It a Try |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/17/news/serious-pop-uptown-the-ritz-gives-it-a-try.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117230826/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/17/news/serious-pop-uptown-the-ritz-gives-it-a-try.html |archive-date=January 17, 2018 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> and salsa music.<ref name="nyt-1992-09-04">{{Cite news |last=McLane |first=Daisann |date=September 4, 1992 |title=The Beat, The Feet: Viva! Viva! |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/04/arts/the-beat-the-feet-viva-viva.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115003722/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/04/arts/the-beat-the-feet-viva-viva.html |archive-date=January 15, 2018 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The Ritz was one of the most active nightclubs in the United States, with about 150 shows annually, until its promoters started booking fewer shows in mid-1991. Despite declining profits in 1992, the club's owners were planning to add a 250-seat side room next to the auditorium.<ref name="n109657651">{{Cite news |last=Hinckley |first=David |date=December 9, 1992 |title=Putting Off the Ritz |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109657651/putting-off-the-ritzdavid-hinckley/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922131754/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109657651/putting-off-the-ritzdavid-hinckley/ |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=[[New York Daily News]] |pages=41, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109657737/ 46] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

CAT Entertainment acquired Scher's interest in the Ritz in December 1992,<ref name="n109657651" /> and CAT was itself acquired by Cabaret Royale Corporation the next year.<ref name="nyt-1993-12-19">{{Cite news |last=Howe |first=Marvine |author-link=Marvin Howe |date=December 19, 1993 |title=Neighborhood Report: Midtown; A Stripped-Down Studio 54 For the Post-Disco Era |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/19/nyregion/neighborhood-report-midtown-a-stripped-down-studio-54-for-the-post-disco-era.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206173627/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/19/nyregion/neighborhood-report-midtown-a-stripped-down-studio-54-for-the-post-disco-era.html |archive-date=February 6, 2022 |access-date=February 6, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> In July 1993, the Ritz announced it would close down and reopen as a [[topless bar]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stasi |first=Linda |date=July 20, 1993 |title=It Sure Looks Like Woody Gets to Drink the Water |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94352952/it-sure-looks-like-woody-gets-to-drink/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206173629/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94352952/it-sure-looks-like-woody-gets-to-drink/ |archive-date=February 6, 2022 |access-date=February 6, 2022 |work=[[New York Daily News]] |pages=11 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> CAT Entertainment spent $3 million renovating the theater, including the stage area. CAT also resurrected both the nightclub and the Studio 54 trademark, which had never been properly registered by any of the prior owners or operators.<ref name="nyt-1993-12-19" /> John Neilson took over the venue with plans to reopen it as an uptown location of the [[Stringfellows]] nightclub.<ref name="nyt-1993-12-19" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 28, 1993 |title=Is Nothing Sacred? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94352793/is-nothing-sacred/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206173631/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94352793/is-nothing-sacred/ |archive-date=February 6, 2022 |access-date=February 6, 2022 |work=[[New York Daily News]] |pages=649 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The remodeled nightclub opened in January 1994 and was operated as "Cabaret Royale at Studio 54".<ref name="n94354438">{{Cite news |last=Rostler |first=Suzanne |date=June 5, 1994 |title=Disco-ing, going, gone at Studio 54 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94354438/disco-ing-going-gone-at-studio/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206173628/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94354438/disco-ing-going-gone-at-studio/ |archive-date=February 6, 2022 |access-date=February 6, 2022 |work=[[New York Daily News]] |pages=238 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Most of the old theater's architectural detail had been covered up by then.<ref name="nyt-2003-10-01">{{Cite news |last=Holusha |first=John |date=October 1, 2003 |title=Commercial Real Estate: Regional Market – Manhattan; As 'Cabaret' Nears End, Cabaret Still Has a Place |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/01/business/commercial-real-estate-regional-market-manhattan-cabaret-nears-end-cabaret-still.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226154321/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/01/business/commercial-real-estate-regional-market-manhattan-cabaret-nears-end-cabaret-still.html |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

Meanwhile, the [[Bank of Tokyo]] had previously granted a mortgage on the theater and the adjacent office building to Pilevsky, which it foreclosed upon in June 1994.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 5, 1994 |title=Manhattan Minute |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/05/nyregion/manhattan-minute.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206173632/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/05/nyregion/manhattan-minute.html |archive-date=February 6, 2022 |access-date=February 6, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Later that month, the theater and building were auctioned off.<ref name="n94354438" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Deutsch |first=Claudia H. |date=June 22, 1994 |title=Real Estate; A well-received auction of New York properties was a pitchman's dream, and a successful one |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/22/business/real-estate-well-received-auction-new-york-properties-was-pitchman-s-dream.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206173629/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/22/business/real-estate-well-received-auction-new-york-properties-was-pitchman-s-dream.html |archive-date=February 6, 2022 |access-date=February 6, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> CBS, the [[Manhattan Theatre Club]], and [[Viacom (1952–2006)|Viacom]] were among those that showed interest in acquiring the theater and building.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Radomsky |first=Rosalie R. |date=July 23, 1995 |title=Neighborhood Report: Midtown; Old Studio 54 Recycled Again: Virtual Reality |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/23/nyregion/neighborhood-report-midtown-old-studio-54-recycled-again-virtual-reality.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206173629/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/23/nyregion/neighborhood-report-midtown-old-studio-54-recycled-again-virtual-reality.html |archive-date=February 6, 2022 |access-date=February 6, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Allied Partners, run by the Hadar family, ultimately acquired the properties for $5.5 million.<ref name="nyt-2003-10-01" /> Allied then renovated the office building.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Oser |first=Alan S. |date=October 18, 1998 |title=Tenants as Developer's Partner in a Loft Venture |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/18/realestate/tenants-as-developer-s-partner-in-a-loft-venture.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109033531/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/18/realestate/tenants-as-developer-s-partner-in-a-loft-venture.html |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Cabaret Royale closed in January 1995,<ref name="n109658816">{{Cite news |last=Riedel |first=Michael |date=January 9, 1995 |title=Not so Secret Service tales on White House |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109658816/not-so-secret-service-tales-on-white/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922131756/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109658816/not-so-secret-service-tales-on-white/ |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=[[New York Daily News]] |pages=94 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and Allied announced plans to convert the space into a [[virtual reality]] gaming venue at a cost of $10 million.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 22, 1996 |title=Studio 54's Reopening a Virtual Reality |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94353479/studio-54s-reopening-a-virtual-reality/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206173631/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94353479/studio-54s-reopening-a-virtual-reality/ |archive-date=February 6, 2022 |access-date=February 6, 2022 |work=[[New York Daily News]] |pages=1140 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In anticipation of Studio 54's conversion, the nightclub hosted a final party on May 23, 1996,<ref name="p267553051">{{Cite news |date=May 23, 1996 |title=Studio 54's Last Dance |work=The Province |page=A41 |id={{proQuest|267553051}}}}</ref><ref name="p227078925">{{Cite magazine |last=Flick |first=Larry |date=June 8, 1996 |title=Reliving Studio 54's glory days; GLAMAS plays |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|The Billboard]] |pages=52 |volume=108 |issue=23 |id={{ProQuest|227078925}}}}</ref> featuring disco star [[Gloria Gaynor]] and performers such as [[Crystal Waters]] and [[RuPaul]].<ref name="p259981799">{{Cite news |date=May 25, 1996 |title=People in the News |work=Las Vegas Review – Journal |page=15.B |id={{proQuest|259981799}}}}</ref> The virtual-reality complex was never built because of a lack of demand, and the club's space was instead rented out for private events.<ref name="nyt-2003-10-01" /> Allied Partners preferred that the Studio 54 building become "anything but a nightclub".<ref name="nyt-1998-07-19">{{Cite news |last=Bagli |first=Charles V. |date=July 19, 1998 |title=A Hotelier for Jaded Boomers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/19/business/a-hotelier-for-jaded-boomers.html |access-date=January 18, 2023 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

== Roundabout Theatre at Studio 54 ==
<!-- [[Roundabout Theatre at Studio 54]] REDIRECTs here -->
[[File:Studio 54 (48269674087).jpg|thumb|Studio 54, July 2019]]

Since 1998, the nonprofit [[Roundabout Theatre Company]] has operated Studio 54 as a Broadway theater, branded as '''Roundabout Theatre at Studio 54'''. It is one of Roundabout's three Broadway theaters, alongside the [[Todd Haimes Theatre]] and the [[Stephen Sondheim Theatre]].<ref name="nyt-2007-05-10">{{Cite news |last=Robertson |first=Campbell |date=May 10, 2007 |title=Roundabout to Fill a Brand-New 89-Year-Old Theater |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/10/theater/10roun.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915195549/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/10/theater/10roun.html |archive-date=September 15, 2021 |access-date=April 10, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="playbill-2015-04-18">{{Cite web |last=Gioia |first=Michael |date=April 18, 2015 |title=Sold! Second Stage Completes Million-Dollar Purchase for the Helen Hayes, Adding Fourth Non-Profit to Broadway |url=https://playbill.com/article/sold-second-stage-completes-million-dollar-purchase-for-the-helen-hayes-adding-fourth-non-profit-to-broadway-com-347097 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220330/https://playbill.com/article/sold-second-stage-completes-million-dollar-purchase-for-the-helen-hayes-adding-fourth-non-profit-to-broadway-com-347097 |archive-date=March 30, 2022 |access-date=January 12, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref>

=== Relocation and early productions ===
In July 1998, the collapse of a construction hoist at [[4 Times Square]] blocked access to the Henry Miller Theatre (now Stephen Sondheim Theatre) on [[43rd Street (Manhattan)|43rd Street]], where the nonprofit Roundabout Theatre Company's successful [[Revival (play)|revival]] of the Broadway musical ''[[Cabaret (musical)|Cabaret]]'' was playing.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Greenhouse |first=Steven |author-link=Steven Greenhouse |date=July 22, 1998 |title=Construction Collapse in Times Square: the Accident; Scaffold Collapses, Paralyzing Times Square |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/22/nyregion/construction-collapse-times-square-accident-scaffold-collapses-paralyzing-times.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915165004/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/22/nyregion/construction-collapse-times-square-accident-scaffold-collapses-paralyzing-times.html |archive-date=September 15, 2021 |access-date=September 16, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Roundabout quickly began searching for alternative venues<ref name="nyt-1998-08-01">{{Cite news |last=Applebome |first=Peter |date=August 1, 1998 |title=The Roundabout Is Struggling But Is Used to It |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/01/theater/the-roundabout-is-struggling-but-is-used-to-it.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527073227/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/01/theater/the-roundabout-is-struggling-but-is-used-to-it.html |archive-date=May 27, 2015 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> and, in September 1998, decided to move the production to Studio 54.<ref name="p1505762920">{{Cite magazine |last1=Isherwood |first1=Charles |last2=Brodesser |first2=Claude |date=September 28, 1998 |title=Legit: 'Cabaret' hits road bound for 54 |magazine=Variety |pages=185, 187 |volume=372 |issue=7 |id={{ProQuest|1505762920}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt19980925" /> The old nightclub required extensive renovations and was not air-conditioned,<ref name="nyt-1998-08-01" /> but Roundabout's artistic director [[Todd Haimes]] considered it the "only viable option" for the theatre company.<ref name="nyt-1998-08-09">{{Cite news |last=Kirby |first=David |date=August 9, 1998 |title=Neighborhood Reports: Midtown; Life May Soon Be No 'Cabaret' At Kit Kat Klub |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/09/nyregion/neighborhood-reports-midtown-life-may-soon-be-no-cabaret-at-kit-kat-klub.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509214819/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/09/nyregion/neighborhood-reports-midtown-life-may-soon-be-no-cabaret-at-kit-kat-klub.html |archive-date=May 9, 2021 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> ''Cabaret''{{'s}} producer [[Sam Mendes]] had considered Studio 54's dilapidated condition to be an ideal setting for the production, just as the Henry Miller had been.<ref name="Playbill At This Theatre">{{Cite web |title=More At This Theatre: Studio 54 |url=https://www.playbill.com/venue/view-more?venue=00000150-aacd-d8be-af71-ffef1882000a |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207034559/https://www.playbill.com/venue/view-more?venue=00000150-aacd-d8be-af71-ffef1882000a |archive-date=February 7, 2022 |access-date=February 7, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref> Roundabout spent over $1 million converting the former nightclub into a 950-seat theater,<ref name=p1544413668/><ref name="nyt19990329">{{Cite news |last=Blumenthal |first=Ralph |date=March 29, 1999 |title=Suspense Offstage for the Roundabout |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/29/theater/suspense-offstage-for-the-roundabout.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407173949/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/29/theater/suspense-offstage-for-the-roundabout.html |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |access-date=April 25, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>{{efn|''The New York Times'' cites a figure of $1.7 million,<ref name=nyt19990329/> while ''American Theatre'' magazine describes the renovations as having cost $1.5 million.<ref name=p1544413668/>}} buying old seats from the [[Imperial Theatre]] and installing them in the mezzanine.<ref name="p1544413668">{{Cite magazine |last=Evans |first=Suzy |date=July–August 2014 |title=A Tale of Two Discos |magazine=American Theatre |pages=54–57 |volume=31 |issue=6 |id={{proQuest|1544413668}}}}</ref> ''Cabaret'' moved to Studio 54 in November 1998,<ref name="b4848" /> doubling the production's capacity.<ref name="nyt19980925" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 1, 1998 |title=Star Power |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85484102/star-power/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917152849/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85484102/star-power/ |archive-date=September 17, 2021 |access-date=September 17, 2021 |work=[[Newsday]] |page=105 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

Richard Hadar announced in early 1999 that he would operate a nightclub within the theater, which would still host performances of ''Cabaret'' during the day.<ref name="p313703592">{{Cite news |last1=Fink |first1=Mitchell |last2=Guest |first2=Emily |date=March 26, 1999 |title=Studio 54 Will Be Nightcrawlin' Again |work=[[New York Daily News]] |page=15 |id={{ProQuest|313703592}}}}</ref> By 2001, Roundabout was negotiating to buy Studio 54 from the Hadar family, which would allow the theatre company to own a Broadway theater for the first time.<ref name="p219185398">{{Cite magazine |last=Kreinin Souccar |first=Miriam |date=September 10, 2001 |title=Roundabout's way |magazine=Crain's New York Business |page=3 |volume=17 |issue=37 |id={{ProQuest|219185398}}}}</ref> Early the next year, the Hadar family agreed to sell the theater for around $25 million. To fund the purchase, Roundabout would receive up to $32 million in [[tax-exempt bond]]s and $9 million from the [[New York City Department of Cultural Affairs]] (DCA).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hetter |first=Katia |date=February 13, 2002 |title=Roundabout to Buy Studio 54 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94354572/roundabout-to-buy-studio-54katia-hetter/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206173632/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94354572/roundabout-to-buy-studio-54katia-hetter/ |archive-date=February 6, 2022 |access-date=February 6, 2022 |work=[[Newsday]] |pages=47 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="p305682088">{{Cite news |last=Herman |first=Eric |date=February 13, 2002 |title=City to aid Roundabout buy |work=[[New York Daily News]] |page=61 |id={{ProQuest|305682088}}}}</ref><ref name="p221075697">{{Cite magazine |last=Jacobs |first=Leonard |date=February 28, 2002 |title=Boogie-down roundabout |magazine=Back Stage |pages=2 |volume=43 |issue=8 |id={{ProQuest|221075697}}}}</ref> Roundabout finalized its purchase in July 2003, paying $22.5 million,<ref>{{Cite news |last=McKinley |first=Jesse |date=July 23, 2003 |title=An Expanding Theater and a Healing Director |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/23/theater/an-expanding-theater-and-a-healing-director.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411000141/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/23/theater/an-expanding-theater-and-a-healing-director.html |archive-date=April 11, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="Hernandez 2003">{{Cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Ernio |date=July 24, 2003 |title=Roundabout Buys Former Disco Studio 54 as Its New Musical Home |url=https://playbill.com/article/roundabout-buys-former-disco-studio-54-as-its-new-musical-home-com-114458 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207035437/https://playbill.com/article/roundabout-buys-former-disco-studio-54-as-its-new-musical-home-com-114458 |archive-date=February 7, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref> of which $6.75 million came from the DCA and $17.7 million came from tax-exempt bonds.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McKinley |first=Jesse |date=July 23, 2003 |title=An Expanding Theater and a Healing Director |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/23/theater/an-expanding-theater-and-a-healing-director.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411000138/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/23/theater/an-expanding-theater-and-a-healing-director.html |archive-date=April 11, 2022 |access-date=April 10, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Allied continued to own the office space above the theater.<ref name="nyt-2003-10-01" />

=== 2000s ===
Roundabout planned to use Studio 54 to host larger productions that could not be staged at the American Airlines Theatre.<ref name="Playbill At This Theatre" /><ref name="p221075697" /> Haimes also wanted to renovate the theater, including expanding the orchestra pit and replacing the rigging system.<ref name="p221075697" /> After ''Cabaret'' closed in January 2004,<ref name="b4848" /> Roundabout staged several shows a year at both theaters, and Studio 54 hosted a mixture of musicals and plays.<ref name="Playbill At This Theatre" /> The [[Stephen Sondheim]] and [[John Weidman]] musical ''[[Assassins (musical)|Assassins]]'' was Roundabout's first new production at Studio 54,<ref name="Playbill At This Theatre" /> opening in April 2004.<ref name=b13580/><ref name=nyt-2004-04-11/> A revival of another musical by the same team, ''[[Pacific Overtures]]'', opened that December.<ref name=b383003/><ref name=nyt-2004-12-24/> Following these two productions, Broadway historian Louis Botto wrote that Studio 54 "had finally fully been welcomed into the Broadway family nearly 80 years after Fortune Gallo first dreamed of it".<ref name="Playbill At This Theatre" />

Roundabout completed some renovations in 2005,<ref name="Roundabout Annual 04-05">{{Cite web |year=2005 |title=Roundabout Theatre Company 04-05 Annual Report |url=https://issuu.com/csdesignworks/docs/roundabout_annual |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207034559/https://issuu.com/csdesignworks/docs/roundabout_annual |archive-date=February 7, 2022 |access-date=February 7, 2022 |publisher=Roundabout Theatre Company |via=Issuu}}</ref> which involved installing raked seating and an exhibit in the promenade.<ref name="Playbill At This Theatre" /> The theater hosted a revival of [[Tennessee Williams]]'s ''[[A Streetcar Named Desire]]'' in April 2005.<ref name="b381031" /><ref name="nyt-2005-04-27" /> For the 2005–2006 season, Studio 54 staged [[Eugene O'Neill]]'s ''[[A Touch of the Poet]]''<ref name="b397702" /><ref name="nyt-2005-12-09" /> and [[Bertolt Brecht]]'s ''[[The Threepenny Opera]]''.<ref name="b392567" /><ref name="nyt-2006-04-21" /> The theater then hosted the plays ''[[The Apple Tree]]'' and ''[[110 in the Shade]]'' in the 2006–2007 season; ''[[The Ritz (play)|The Ritz]]'' and ''[[Sunday in the Park with George]]'' in the 2007–2008 season; and ''[[Pal Joey (musical)|Pal Joey]]'' and ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'' in the 2008–2009 season. For the 2009–2010 season, the theater presented [[Carrie Fisher]]'s solo performance ''[[Wishful Drinking]]'', as well as and [[James Lapine]] and Stephen Sondheim's revue ''[[Sondheim on Sondheim]]''.<ref name="b1165" /><ref name="Playbill At This Theatre" />

=== 2010s to present ===
During the 2010–2011 season, Studio 54 hosted ''Brief Encounter'' (an adaptation of two [[Noël Coward]] works), as well as the musical ''[[The People in the Picture]]''.<ref name="b1165" /><ref name="Playbill At This Theatre" /> Studio 54 was supposed to host a revival of [[Bob Fosse]]'s musical ''[[Dancin']]'' during the 2011–2012 season,<ref name="Jones 2011">{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Kenneth |date=August 30, 2011 |title=Mr. No Jangles: Dancin' Will Not Step Into Broadway's Studio 54 |url=https://playbill.com/article/mr-no-jangles-dancin-will-not-step-into-broadways-studio-54-com-182176 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706103406/https://www.playbill.com/article/mr-no-jangles-dancin-will-not-step-into-broadways-studio-54-com-182176 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="Healy 2011">{{Cite web |last=Healy |first=Patrick |date=February 16, 2011 |title=Fosse Revival Coming to Roundabout |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/16/fosse-revival-coming-to-roundabout/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922131755/https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/16/fosse-revival-coming-to-roundabout/ |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=ArtsBeat}}</ref> but this was ultimately canceled, and the theater was instead closed for renovations.<ref name="Jones 2011" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Healy |first=Patrick |date=December 17, 2011 |title=Nonprofit Companies Enjoying, Well, Profits |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/17/theater/nonprofit-theater-companies-enjoying-well-profits.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220330/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/17/theater/nonprofit-theater-companies-enjoying-well-profits.html |archive-date=March 30, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The theater's next production was the play ''[[Harvey (play)|Harvey]]'', which opened in June 2012.<ref name=b491285/><ref name=nyt-2012-06-15/> This was followed in November by ''[[The Mystery of Edwin Drood (musical)|The Mystery of Edwin Drood]]'', the theater's only production for the 2012–2013 season.<ref name=b493101/><ref name=nyt-2012-11-14/> Roundabout booked a revival of ''Cabaret'' for the 2013–2014 season, although the theater remained dark for a year.<ref name="Healy 2013">{{Cite web |last=Healy |first=Patrick |date=April 24, 2013 |title=Willkommen, Again? Roundabout Planning Another 'Cabaret' Revival |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/24/wilkommen-again-roundabout-planning-another-cabaret-revival/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922131755/https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/24/wilkommen-again-roundabout-planning-another-cabaret-revival/ |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=ArtsBeat}}</ref> ''Cabaret'' opened in April 2014,<ref name=b495251/><ref name=nyt-2014-04-25/> initially for a 24-week engagement, but the show was so popular that it ran for a year.<ref name="Holcomb-Holland 2015">{{Cite web |last=Holcomb-Holland |first=Lori |date=January 5, 2015 |title='Cabaret' to Close March 29, and Emma Stone Extends Her Run |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/05/cabaret-to-close-march-29/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922131755/https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/05/cabaret-to-close-march-29/ |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=ArtsBeat}}</ref> The play ''[[An Act of God]]'' opened at Studio 54 in May 2015, being the theater's only production during the 2014–2015 season.<ref name=b499263/><ref name=nyt-2015-05-29/>

The theater then returned to presenting two productions per season.<ref name="b1165" /> Studio 54 hosted the play ''[[Thérèse Raquin]]'' and a revival of the musical ''[[She Loves Me]]'' during the 2015–2016 season,<ref name="Rooney Rooney 2015">{{Cite web |last=Rooney |first=David |date=December 8, 2015 |title=Broadway's 2015–16 Season: Revived Classics and Bold New Works |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/broadway-season-2015-2016-revived-845242/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411020215/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/broadway-season-2015-2016-revived-845242/ |archive-date=April 11, 2022 |access-date=April 11, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> followed by the musical ''[[Holiday Inn (musical)|Holiday Inn]]'' and the play ''[[Sweat (play)|Sweat]]'' during the 2016–2017 season.<ref name="Lee Lee 2016">{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Ashley |date=June 29, 2016 |title=All the Broadway Shows of the 2016–2017 Season |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/broadway-shows-up-date-list-906985/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401072549/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/broadway-shows-up-date-list-906985/ |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |access-date=April 11, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> Next, the theater hosted [[John Leguizamo]]'s solo show ''[[Latin History for Morons]]'' and an [[American Sign Language]] revival of ''[[Children of a Lesser God (play)|Children of a Lesser God]]'' in 2017–2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rooney |first=David |date=June 5, 2017 |title=All the Broadway Shows of the 2017–2018 Season |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/broadway-shows-2017-2018-season-opening-nights-1009889/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411020519/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/broadway-shows-2017-2018-season-opening-nights-1009889/ |archive-date=April 11, 2022 |access-date=April 11, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> The theater staged ''[[The Lifespan of a Fact]]'' and ''[[Kiss Me, Kate]]'' for the 2018–2019 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rooney |first=David |date=July 10, 2018 |title=All the Broadway Shows of the 2018–2019 Season |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/all-broadway-shows-2018-2019-season-1125010/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411020517/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/all-broadway-shows-2018-2019-season-1125010/ |archive-date=April 11, 2022 |access-date=April 11, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> Studio 54 hosted [[Adam Rapp]]'s play ''[[The Sound Inside (play)|The Sound Inside]]'', which opened in October 2019.<ref name=b522762/><ref name=nyt-2019-10-18/> Studio 54 was supposed to host the musical ''[[Caroline, or Change]]'' during the 2019–2020 season.<ref name="Selleck 2020">{{Cite web |last=Selleck |first=Emily |date=January 1, 2020 |title=Preview the Rest of the 2019–2020 Broadway Season |url=https://playbill.com/article/preview-the-rest-of-the-20192020-broadway-season |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519022000/https://www.playbill.com/article/preview-the-rest-of-the-20192020-broadway-season |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2019-08-19">{{Cite news |last=Paulson |first=Michael |date=August 19, 2019 |title='Caroline, or Change' and 'A Soldier's Play' to Be Revived on Broadway |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/19/theater/broadway-roundabout-caroline-change-soldiers-play.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220192117/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/19/theater/broadway-roundabout-caroline-change-soldiers-play.html |archive-date=February 20, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Studio 54 [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performing arts#Cancellations and closures|closed on March 12, 2020]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Paulson |first=Michael |author-link=Michael Paulson |date=March 12, 2020 |title=Broadway, Symbol of New York Resilience, Shuts Down Amid Virus Threat |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/theater/coronavirus-broadway-shutdown.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916114023/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/theater/coronavirus-broadway-shutdown.html |archive-date=September 16, 2021 |access-date=September 17, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> a day before previews of ''Caroline, or Change'' were supposed to start.<ref name="Selleck 2020" /><ref name="nyt-2019-08-19" /> That show's opening had originally been delayed to early 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clement |first=Olivia |date=June 26, 2020 |title=Roundabout Pushes 2020 Shows to Next Year; Adds Alice Childress Play to Broadway Lineup |url=https://playbill.com/article/roundabout-pushes-2020-shows-to-next-year-adds-alice-childress-play-to-broadway-lineup |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411020215/https://playbill.com/article/roundabout-pushes-2020-shows-to-next-year-adds-alice-childress-play-to-broadway-lineup |archive-date=April 11, 2022 |access-date=April 11, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref> but it was pushed further due to the extension of COVID-19 restrictions.<ref name="playbill-2021-05-10">{{Cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |date=May 10, 2021 |title=Roundabout Reveals New Broadway Dates for Caroline, or Change, Trouble in Mind, Birthday Candles |url=https://playbill.com/article/roundabout-reveals-new-broadway-dates-for-caroline-or-change-trouble-in-mind-birthday-candles |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411020216/https://playbill.com/article/roundabout-reveals-new-broadway-dates-for-caroline-or-change-trouble-in-mind-birthday-candles |archive-date=April 11, 2022 |access-date=April 11, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref>

Studio 54 reopened on October 8, 2021, with previews of ''Caroline, or Change'',<ref name="b523864" /> which officially opened later that month.<ref name="nyt-2021-10-28" /> This was followed from April to July 2022 by the [[Tracy Letts]] play ''[[The Minutes (play)|The Minutes]]'',<ref name="b525378" /><ref name="nyt-2022-04-18" /> then by the [[Sharr White]] play ''[[Pictures from Home]]'' from February to April 2023.<ref name="The Broadway League 2023" /> The musical ''[[Days of Wine and Roses (musical)|Days of Wine and Roses]]'' opened at Studio 54 in January 2024,<ref name="The Broadway League 2022 p068"/> running for three months.<ref name="Evans 2024 z046">{{cite web | last=Evans | first=Greg | title='Days Of Wine And Roses' Sets Closing Notice, The Latest Broadway Production To Bow Out Before Spring Crush | website=Deadline | date=March 6, 2024 | url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/days-of-wine-and-roses-broadway-closing-date-1235847157/ | access-date=April 1, 2024}}</ref> It was followed in November 2024 by the musical ''[[A Wonderful World (musical)|A Wonderful World]]'',<ref name="The Broadway League n679"/> {{Show by date|2025|06|12|and is expected to be followed|then}} in June 2025 by [[Jean Smart]]'s one-woman show ''Call Me Izzy''.<ref name="b542346"/> For the 2025–2026 season, Studio 54 {{Show by date|2026|04|30|is to host|hosted}} the play ''[[Oedipus (Dryden play)|Oedipus]]'', then the musical ''[[The Rocky Horror Show]]''.<ref name=Hall2025>{{cite web | last=Hall | first=Margaret | title=Kelli O'Hara, Rocky Horror, Rose Byrne, More Part of Roundabout's 2025-2026 Broadway Season | website=Playbill | date=March 6, 2025 | url=https://playbill.com/article/kelli-ohara-rocky-horror-rose-byrne-more-part-of-roundabouts-2025-2026-broadway-season | access-date=March 21, 2025}}<br/>{{cite web | last=Evans | first=Greg | title=West End Hit ‘Oedipus’ With Mark Strong And Lesley Manville Sets Fall Broadway Transfer As Part Of Roundabout Season | website=Deadline | date=March 6, 2025 | url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/oedipus-broadway-mark-strong-lesley-manville-roundabout-season-1236312536/ | access-date=March 21, 2025}}</ref>

== Notable productions ==
Productions are listed by the year of their first performance.<ref name="b1165" /><ref name="Playbill Studio 54">{{Cite web |date=March 9, 2016 |title=Studio 54 (1998) New York, NY |url=https://www.playbill.com/venue/studio-54-vault-0000000147 |access-date=January 3, 2023 |website=Playbill}}</ref>

=== Gallo Opera House/New Yorker Theatre ===

{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible"
|+ {{sronly|Notable productions at the theater}}
! width=20% scope="col" | Opening year !! width=60% scope="col" | Name !! width=20% scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Refs.|References}}
|-
| 1927 || Thirteen operas presented by the San Carlo Company || {{efn|''[[La bohème]]'', ''[[Rigoletto]]'', ''[[Madama Butterfly]]'', ''[[Faust (opera)|Faust]]'', ''[[La traviata]]'', ''[[Aida]]'', ''[[Martha (opera)|Martha]]'', ''[[La Tosca]]'', ''[[La forza del destino]]'', ''[[Carmen]]'', ''[[Cavalleria rusticana]]'', ''[[The Barber of Seville]]'', ''[[Il Trovatore]]''<ref name="b1165" />}}
|-
| 1927 || ''[[Electra (Sophocles play)|Electra]]'' || <ref name="The Broadway League 1927a" /><ref name="p1131828249" />
|-
| 1927 || ''[[Juno and the Paycock]]'' || <ref name="The Broadway League 1927b" /><ref name="p1132285417" />
|-
| 1928 || ''[[A Tailor-Made Man (play)|A Tailor-Made Man]]'' || <ref name="The Broadway League 1929b" /><ref name="nyt-1929-10-22">{{Cite news |date=October 22, 1929 |title=Revival Full of Laughs; Grant Mitchell and Fine Company Please in "A Tailor-Made Man." |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/10/22/archives/revival-full-of-laughs-grant-mitchell-and-fine-company-please-in-a.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922131823/https://www.nytimes.com/1929/10/22/archives/revival-full-of-laughs-grant-mitchell-and-fine-company-please-in-a.html |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 18, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 1930 || ''[[Electra (Sophocles play)|Electra]]'' || <ref name="The Broadway League 1930">{{Cite web |last=The Broadway League |date=December 26, 1930 |title=Electra – Broadway Play – 1930 Revival |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/electra-11295 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111175501/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/electra-11295 |archive-date=November 11, 2021 |access-date=September 18, 2022 |website=IBDB}}<br />{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2015 |title=Electra (Broadway, Studio 54, 1930) |url=https://playbill.com/productions/electrabroadway-studio-54-1930 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913182632/https://playbill.com/productions/electrabroadway-studio-54-1930 |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 18, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref>
|-
| 1931 || ''[[Young Sinners (play)|Young Sinners]]'' || <ref name="The Broadway League 1931">{{Cite web |last=The Broadway League |date=April 20, 1931 |title=Young Sinners – Broadway Play – 1931 Revival |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/young-sinners-11356 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124011011/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/young-sinners-11356 |archive-date=November 24, 2021 |access-date=September 18, 2022 |website=IBDB}}<br />{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2015 |title=Young Sinners (Broadway, Studio 54, 1931) |url=https://playbill.com/production/young-sinners-new-yorker-theatre-vault-0000004936 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519203534/https://playbill.com/production/young-sinners-new-yorker-theatre-vault-0000004936 |archive-date=May 19, 2022 |access-date=September 18, 2022 |website=Playbill}}</ref>
|-
| 1937 || ''[[The Swing Mikado]]'' || <ref name="The Broadway League 1939" />
|}

=== Studio 54 (Roundabout) ===
<!--This section is transcluded on the [[Roundabout Theatre Company]] article. Please keep the section's name as is.-->
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible"
|+ {{sronly|Notable productions at the theater}}
! width=20% scope="col" | Opening year !! width=60% scope="col" | Name !! width=20% scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Refs.|References}}
|-
| 1998 || ''[[Cabaret (musical)|Cabaret]]'' || <ref name="b4848">{{IBDB title|title=Cabaret|description=(1998 revival)|id=4848}}; {{Cite web |title=''Cabaret'', Broadway @ Kit Kat Klub |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/cabaret-kit-kat-klub-vault-0000004928 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812180942/https://www.playbill.com/production/cabaret-kit-kat-klub-vault-0000004928 |archive-date=August 12, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=[[Playbill]]}}</ref><ref name="nyt19980925">{{Cite news |last=McKinley |first=Jesse |author-link=Jesse McKinley |date=September 25, 1998 |title=On Stage and Off; Swinging Again At Studio 54 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/25/movies/on-stage-and-off-swinging-again-at-studio-54.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917152849/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/25/movies/on-stage-and-off-swinging-again-at-studio-54.html |archive-date=September 17, 2021 |access-date=September 17, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2004 || ''[[Assassins (musical)|Assassins]]'' || <ref name="b13580">{{IBDB title|title=Assassins|description=(Original)|id=13580}}; {{Cite web |title=''Assassins'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/assassins-studio-54-vault-0000004927 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208155516/https://www.playbill.com/production/assassins-studio-54-vault-0000004927 |archive-date=December 8, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2004-04-11">{{Cite news |last=Green |first=Jesse |date=April 11, 2004 |title=Theater; Surviving ''Assassins'' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/11/theater/theater-surviving-assassins.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207034557/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/11/theater/theater-surviving-assassins.html |archive-date=February 7, 2022 |access-date=February 7, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2004 || ''[[Pacific Overtures]]'' || <ref name="b383003">{{IBDB title|title=Pacific Overtures|description=(2004 revival)|id=383003}}; {{Cite web |title=''Pacific Overtures'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/pacific-overtures-studio-54-vault-0000004926 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219211706/https://www.playbill.com/production/pacific-overtures-studio-54-vault-0000004926 |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2004-12-24">{{Cite news |last=Gates |first=Anita |date=December 24, 2004 |title=The Listings; 'Welcome to Kanagawa' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/24/arts/movies/the-listings-welcome-to-kanagawa.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207034559/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/24/arts/movies/the-listings-welcome-to-kanagawa.html |archive-date=February 7, 2022 |access-date=February 7, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2005 || ''[[A Streetcar Named Desire]]'' || <ref name="b381031">{{IBDB title|title=A Streetcar Named Desire|description=(2005 revival)|id=381031}}; {{Cite web |title=''A Streetcar Named Desire'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/a-streetcar-named-desire-studio-54-vault-0000004925 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219223239/https://www.playbill.com/production/a-streetcar-named-desire-studio-54-vault-0000004925 |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2005-04-27">{{Cite news |last=Brantley |first=Ben |author-link=Ben Brantley |date=April 27, 2005 |title=A Weak Erotic Charge Flickers in the New Orleans Heat |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/27/theater/reviews/a-weak-erotic-charge-flickers-in-the-new-orleans-heat.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207034558/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/27/theater/reviews/a-weak-erotic-charge-flickers-in-the-new-orleans-heat.html |archive-date=February 7, 2022 |access-date=February 7, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2005 || ''[[A Touch of the Poet]]'' || <ref name="b397702">{{IBDB title|title=A Touch of the Poet|description=(2005 revival)|id=397702}}; {{Cite web |title=''A Touch of the Poet'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/a-touch-of-the-poet-studio-54-vault-0000004924 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213143804/https://www.playbill.com/production/a-touch-of-the-poet-studio-54-vault-0000004924 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2005-12-09">{{Cite news |last=Brantley |first=Ben |author-link=Ben Brantley |date=December 9, 2005 |title=The Transformation of a Poseur, and the Loved Ones Who Suffer the Consequences |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/09/theater/reviews/the-transformation-of-a-poseur-and-the-loved-ones-who.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207034557/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/09/theater/reviews/the-transformation-of-a-poseur-and-the-loved-ones-who.html |archive-date=February 7, 2022 |access-date=February 7, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2006 || ''[[The Threepenny Opera]]'' || <ref name="b392567">{{IBDB title|title=The Threepenny Opera|description=(2006 revival)|id=392567}}; {{Cite web |title=''Threepenny Opera'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/threepenny-opera-studio-54-vault-0000004923 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019183405/https://www.playbill.com/production/threepenny-opera-studio-54-vault-0000004923 |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2006-04-21">{{Cite news |last=Brantley |first=Ben |author-link=Ben Brantley |date=April 21, 2006 |title='Threepenny Opera' Brings Renewed Decadence to Studio 54 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/21/theater/reviews/threepenny-opera-brings-renewed-decadence-to-studio-54.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425131050/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/21/theater/reviews/threepenny-opera-brings-renewed-decadence-to-studio-54.html |archive-date=April 25, 2022 |access-date=April 25, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2006 || ''[[The Apple Tree]]'' || <ref name="b450811">{{IBDB title|title=The Apple Tree|description=(2006 revival)|id=450811}}; {{Cite web |title=''The Apple Tree'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/the-apple-tree-studio-54-vault-0000004921 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207231454/https://www.playbill.com/production/the-apple-tree-studio-54-vault-0000004921 |archive-date=December 7, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2006-12-15">{{Cite news |last=Brantley |first=Ben |author-link=Ben Brantley |date=December 15, 2006 |title=Adam, She's Ms. Madam |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/15/theater/reviews/15appl.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328045831/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/15/theater/reviews/15appl.html |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |access-date=April 25, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2007 || ''[[110 in the Shade]]'' || <ref name="b423558">{{IBDB title|title=110 in the Shade|description=(2007 revival)|id=423558}}; {{Cite web |title=''110 in the Shade'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/110-in-the-shade-studio-54-vault-0000004920 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020073023/https://www.playbill.com/production/110-in-the-shade-studio-54-vault-0000004920 |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2007-05-10b">{{Cite news |last=Brantley |first=Ben |author-link=Ben Brantley |date=May 10, 2007 |title=Neither Rain Nor Love, Till a Guy Promises Both |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/10/theater/reviews/10shade.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425131047/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/10/theater/reviews/10shade.html |archive-date=April 25, 2022 |access-date=April 25, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
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| 2007 || ''[[The Ritz (play)|The Ritz]]'' || <ref name="b461300">{{IBDB title|title=The Ritz|description=(2007 revival)|id=461300}}; {{Cite web |title=''The Ritz'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/the-ritz-studio-54-vault-0000004919 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213143806/https://www.playbill.com/production/the-ritz-studio-54-vault-0000004919 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2007-10-12">{{Cite news |last=Brantley |first=Ben |author-link=Ben Brantley |date=October 12, 2007 |title=Good, Clean Fun |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/12/theater/reviews/12ritz.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425131049/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/12/theater/reviews/12ritz.html |archive-date=April 25, 2022 |access-date=April 25, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2008 || ''[[Sunday in the Park with George]]'' || <ref name="b457137">{{IBDB title|title=Sunday in the Park with George|description=(2008 revival)|id=457137}}; {{Cite web |title=''Sunday in the Park with George'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/sunday-in-the-park-with-george-studio-54-vault-0000004918 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205033112/https://www.playbill.com/production/sunday-in-the-park-with-george-studio-54-vault-0000004918 |archive-date=December 5, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2008-02-22">{{Cite news |last=Brantley |first=Ben |author-link=Ben Brantley |date=February 22, 2008 |title=Down by the Blue Purple Yellow Red Water |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/22/theater/reviews/22geor.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425130851/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/22/theater/reviews/22geor.html |archive-date=April 25, 2022 |access-date=April 25, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2008 || ''[[Pal Joey (musical)|Pal Joey]]'' || <ref name="b477922">{{IBDB title|title=Pal Joey|description=(2008 revival)|id=477922}}; {{Cite web |title=''Pal Joey'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/pal-joey-studio-54-vault-0000004917 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213143814/https://www.playbill.com/production/pal-joey-studio-54-vault-0000004917 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2008-12-19">{{Cite news |last=Brantley |first=Ben |author-link=Ben Brantley |date=December 19, 2008 |title=The Cad! (Dames Could Write a Book) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/19/theater/reviews/19joey.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425131047/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/19/theater/reviews/19joey.html |archive-date=April 25, 2022 |access-date=April 25, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2009 || ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'' || <ref name="b481504">{{IBDB title|title=Waiting for Godot|description=(2009 revival)|id=481504}}; {{Cite web |title=''Waiting for Godot'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/waiting-for-godot-studio-54-vault-0000004916 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116065248/https://playbill.com/production/waiting-for-godot-studio-54-vault-0000004916 |archive-date=November 16, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2009-05-01">{{Cite news |last=Brantley |first=Ben |author-link=Ben Brantley |date=April 30, 2009 |title=Tramps for Eternity |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/01/theater/reviews/01godo.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504060407/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/01/theater/reviews/01godo.html |archive-date=May 4, 2015 |access-date=April 25, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
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| 2009 || ''[[Wishful Drinking]]'' || <ref name="b483888">{{IBDB title|title=Wishful Drinking|description=(Original)|id=483888}}; {{Cite web |title=''Wishful Drinking'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/wishful-drinking-studio-54-vault-0000004915 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027131414/https://www.playbill.com/production/wishful-drinking-studio-54-vault-0000004915 |archive-date=October 27, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2009-10-05">{{Cite news |last=Brantley |first=Ben |author-link=Ben Brantley |date=October 4, 2009 |title=Just Me and My Celebrity Shadows |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/05/theater/reviews/05brantley.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425130850/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/05/theater/reviews/05brantley.html |archive-date=April 25, 2022 |access-date=April 25, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2010 || ''[[Sondheim on Sondheim]]'' || <ref name="b485091">{{IBDB title|title=Sondheim on Sondheim|description=(Original)|id=485091}}; {{Cite web |title=''Sondheim on Sondheim'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/sondheim-on-sondheim-studio-54-vault-0000004914 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205040107/https://www.playbill.com/production/sondheim-on-sondheim-studio-54-vault-0000004914 |archive-date=December 5, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2010-04-22">{{Cite news |last=Brantley |first=Ben |date=April 22, 2010 |title=Hymn to Himself: Something Hummable |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/23/theater/reviews/23sondheim.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128202932/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/23/theater/reviews/23sondheim.html |archive-date=November 28, 2021 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2010 || ''[[Brief Encounter]]'' || <ref name="b488164">{{IBDB title|title=Brief Encounter|description=(Original)|id=488164}}; {{Cite web |title=''Brief Encounter'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/brief-encounter-studio-54-vault-0000013662 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213143759/https://www.playbill.com/production/brief-encounter-studio-54-vault-0000013662 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2010-09-29">{{Cite news |last=Brantley |first=Ben |date=September 29, 2010 |title=Arm's-Length Soul Mates, Swooning but Stoically Chaste |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/29/theater/reviews/29brief.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515092416/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/29/theater/reviews/29brief.html |archive-date=May 15, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2011 || ''[[The People in the Picture]]'' || <ref name="b489215">{{IBDB title|title=The People in the Picture|description=(Original)|id=489215}}; {{Cite web |title=''The People in the Picture'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/the-people-in-the-picture-studio-54-vault-0000013727 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213143805/https://www.playbill.com/production/the-people-in-the-picture-studio-54-vault-0000013727 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2011-04-29">{{Cite news |last=Brantley |first=Ben |date=April 29, 2011 |title=What Bubbie Did During the War |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/29/theater/reviews/the-people-in-the-picture-with-donna-murphy-review.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427210550/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/29/theater/reviews/the-people-in-the-picture-with-donna-murphy-review.html |archive-date=April 27, 2021 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2012 || ''[[Harvey (play)|Harvey]]'' || <ref name="b491285">{{IBDB title|title=Harvey|description=(2012 revival)|id=491285}}; {{Cite web |title=''Harvey'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/harvey-studio-54-vault-0000013860 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213143817/https://www.playbill.com/production/harvey-studio-54-vault-0000013860 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2012-06-15">{{Cite news |last=Isherwood |first=Charles |date=June 15, 2012 |title=Hope Is a Thing With Long, Fuzzy Ears |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/15/theater/reviews/harvey-with-jim-parsons-at-studio-54.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207192743/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/15/theater/reviews/harvey-with-jim-parsons-at-studio-54.html |archive-date=December 7, 2017 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2012 || ''[[The Mystery of Edwin Drood (musical)|The Mystery of Edwin Drood]]'' || <ref name="b493101">{{IBDB title|title=The Mystery of Edwin Drood|description=(2012 revival)|id=493101}}; {{Cite web |title=''The Mystery of Edwin Drood'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/the-mystery-of-edwin-drood-studio-54-vault-0000013878 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607011824/https://www.playbill.com/production/the-mystery-of-edwin-drood-studio-54-vault-0000013878 |archive-date=June 7, 2020 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2012-11-14">{{Cite news |last=Isherwood |first=Charles |date=November 14, 2012 |title=Raising the Dickens in All of Us |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/14/theater/reviews/the-mystery-of-edwin-drood-revived-by-roundabout-theater.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124202724/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/14/theater/reviews/the-mystery-of-edwin-drood-revived-by-roundabout-theater.html |archive-date=November 24, 2021 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
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| 2014 || ''[[Cabaret (musical)|Cabaret]]'' || <ref name="b495251">{{IBDB title|title=Cabaret|description=(2014 revival)|id=495251}}; {{Cite web |title=''Cabaret'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/cabaret-studio-54-vault-0000014038 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213143812/https://www.playbill.com/production/cabaret-studio-54-vault-0000014038 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2014-04-25">{{Cite news |last=Brantley |first=Ben |date=April 25, 2014 |title=Old Chums Return, Where Club Is Home |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/25/theater/cabaret-opens-with-alan-cumming-and-michelle-williams.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919093942/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/25/theater/cabaret-opens-with-alan-cumming-and-michelle-williams.html |archive-date=September 19, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
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| 2015 || ''[[An Act of God]]'' || <ref name="b499263">{{IBDB title|title=An Act of God|description=(Original)|id=499263}}; {{Cite web |title=''An Act of God'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/an-act-of-god-studio-54-vault-0000014102 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213143809/https://www.playbill.com/production/an-act-of-god-studio-54-vault-0000014102 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2015-05-29">{{Cite news |last=Isherwood |first=Charles |date=May 29, 2015 |title=Review: 'An Act of God,' With Jim Parsons as an Almighty Comedian |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/29/theater/review-an-act-of-god-with-jim-parsons-as-an-almighty-comedian.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014223232/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/29/theater/review-an-act-of-god-with-jim-parsons-as-an-almighty-comedian.html |archive-date=October 14, 2016 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
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| 2015 || ''[[Thérèse Raquin]]'' || <ref name="b501120">{{IBDB title|title=Thérèse Raquin|description=(Original)|id=501120}}; {{Cite web |title=''Thérèse Raquin'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/therese-raquin-studio-54-vault-0000014088 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213143818/https://www.playbill.com/production/therese-raquin-studio-54-vault-0000014088 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2015-10-30">{{Cite news |last=Brantley |first=Ben |date=October 30, 2015 |title=Review: In 'Thérèse Raquin,' Keira Knightley as a Baleful Adulteress |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/30/theater/review-in-therese-raquin-keira-knightley-as-a-baleful-adulteress.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616133231/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/30/theater/review-in-therese-raquin-keira-knightley-as-a-baleful-adulteress.html |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2016 || ''[[She Loves Me]]'' || <ref name="b501744">{{IBDB title|title=She Loves Me|description=(2016 revival)|id=501744}}; {{Cite web |title=''She Loves Me Broadway'' @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/she-loves-me-studio-54-vault-0000014138 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125131103/https://www.playbill.com/production/she-loves-me-studio-54-vault-0000014138 |archive-date=November 25, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2016-03-18">{{Cite news |last=Brantley |first=Ben |date=March 18, 2016 |title=Review: 'She Loves Me' Is a Daydream of the Ordinary |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/18/theater/review-she-loves-me-is-a-daydream-of-the-ordinary.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301004558/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/18/theater/review-she-loves-me-is-a-daydream-of-the-ordinary.html |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2016 || ''[[Holiday Inn (musical)|Holiday Inn]]'' || <ref name="b503850">{{IBDB title|title=Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical|description=(Original)|id=503850}}; {{Cite web |title=''Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/holiday-inn-studio-54-2016-2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210155252/https://www.playbill.com/production/holiday-inn-studio-54-2016-2017 |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Isherwood |first=Charles |date=October 7, 2016 |title=Review: 'Holiday Inn': It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like a Recycled Movie |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/07/theater/review-holiday-inn-its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-a-recycled-movie.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814211742/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/07/theater/review-holiday-inn-its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-a-recycled-movie.html |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2017 || ''[[Sweat (play)|Sweat]]'' || <ref name="b512126">{{IBDB title|title=Sweat|description=(Original)|id=512126}}; {{Cite web |title=''Sweat'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/sweat-studio-54-2016-2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220112817/https://www.playbill.com/production/sweat-studio-54-2016-2017 |archive-date=December 20, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Brantley |first=Ben |date=March 27, 2017 |title=Review: 'Sweat' Imagines the Local Bar as a Caldron |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/26/theater/sweat-review-broadway.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816033825/http://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/26/theater/sweat-review-broadway.html |archive-date=August 16, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2017 || ''[[John Leguizamo|Latin History for Morons]]'' || <ref name="b515722">{{IBDB title|title=Latin History for Morons|description=(Original)|id=515722}}; {{Cite web |title=''Latin History for Morons'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/latin-history-for-morons-studio-54-2017-2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109204135/https://www.playbill.com/production/latin-history-for-morons-studio-54-2017-2018 |archive-date=November 9, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Green |first=Jesse |date=November 16, 2017 |title=Review: John Leguizamo Goes for Easy Laughs in 'Latin History' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/15/theater/latin-history-for-morons-review-john-leguizamo.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420195353/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/15/theater/latin-history-for-morons-review-john-leguizamo.html |archive-date=April 20, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2018 || ''[[Children of a Lesser God (play)|Children of a Lesser God]]'' || <ref name="b515596">{{IBDB title|title=Children of a Lesser God|description=(2018 revival)|id=515596}}; {{Cite web |title=''Children of a Lesser God'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/children-of-a-lesser-god-studio-54-2017-2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205001422/https://www.playbill.com/production/children-of-a-lesser-god-studio-54-2017-2018 |archive-date=February 5, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Green |first=Jesse |date=April 12, 2018 |title=Review: Sound, or Silence? A Passionate Debate in 'Children of a Lesser God' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/11/theater/review-children-of-a-lesser-god-broadway.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221065803/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/11/theater/review-children-of-a-lesser-god-broadway.html |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2018 || ''[[The Lifespan of a Fact]]'' || <ref name="b518712">{{IBDB title|title=The Lifespan of a Fact|description=(Original)|id=518712}}; {{Cite web |title=''The Lifespan of a Fact'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/the-lifespan-of-a-fact-studio-54-2018-2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122132350/https://www.playbill.com/production/the-lifespan-of-a-fact-studio-54-2018-2019 |archive-date=November 22, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Green |first=Jesse |date=October 19, 2018 |title=Review: A Three-Way Smackdown Over 'The Lifespan of a Fact' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/18/theater/lifespan-of-a-fact-review-daniel-radcliffe-bobby-cannavale.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419083222/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/18/theater/lifespan-of-a-fact-review-daniel-radcliffe-bobby-cannavale.html |archive-date=April 19, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
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| 2019 || ''[[Kiss Me, Kate]]'' || <ref name="b518742">{{IBDB title|title=Kiss Me, Kate|description=(2019 revival)|id=518742}}; {{Cite web |title=''Kiss Me, Kate'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/kiss-me-kate-studio-54-2018-2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128002031/https://playbill.com/production/kiss-me-kate-studio-54-2018-2019 |archive-date=November 28, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Green |first=Jesse |date=March 15, 2019 |title=Review: A Fair Fight Makes 'Kiss Me, Kate' Lovable Again |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/14/theater/kiss-me-kate-review.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219122442/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/14/theater/kiss-me-kate-review.html |archive-date=February 19, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2019 || ''[[The Sound Inside (play)|The Sound Inside]]'' || <ref name="b522762">{{IBDB title|title=The Sound Inside|description=(Original)|id=522762}}; {{Cite web |title=''The Sound Inside'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/the-sound-insidestudio-54-2019-2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023154435/https://www.playbill.com/production/the-sound-insidestudio-54-2019-2020 |archive-date=October 23, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2019-10-18">{{Cite news |last=Green |first=Jesse |date=October 18, 2019 |title=Review: Mary-Louise Parker in the Subliminal, Sublime 'Sound Inside' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/17/theater/the-sound-inside-review.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619145539/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/17/theater/the-sound-inside-review.html |archive-date=June 19, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2021 || ''[[Caroline, or Change]]'' || <ref name="b523864">{{IBDB title|title=Caroline, or Change|description=(2021 revival)|id=523864}}; {{Cite web |title=''Caroline, or Change'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/caroline-or-change |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218210302/https://playbill.com/production/caroline-or-change |archive-date=December 18, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2021-10-28">{{Cite news |last=Green |first=Jesse |date=October 28, 2021 |title=Review: 'Caroline, or Change' Makes History's Heartbreak Sing |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/27/theater/caroline-or-change-review.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205163815/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/27/theater/caroline-or-change-review.html |archive-date=February 5, 2022 |access-date=February 5, 2022 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] }}</ref>
|-
| 2022 || ''[[The Minutes (play)|The Minutes]]'' || <ref name="b525378">{{IBDB title|title=The Minutes|description=(Original)|id=525378}}; {{Cite web |title=''The Minutes'', Broadway @ Studio 54 |url=http://www.playbill.com/production/the-minutes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110232555/https://www.playbill.com/production/the-minutes |archive-date=November 10, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2022-04-18">{{Cite news |last=Green |first=Jesse |date=April 18, 2022 |title=Review: 'The Minutes', an Official History of American Horror |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/17/theater/the-minutes-review.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425131047/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/17/theater/the-minutes-review.html |archive-date=April 25, 2022 |access-date=April 25, 2022 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] }}</ref>
|-
| 2023 || ''[[Pictures from Home]]'' || <ref name="The Broadway League 2023">{{IBDB title|title=Pictures From Home|description=(Original)|id=535460}}; {{Cite web |date=October 25, 2022 |title=Pictures From Home (Broadway, Studio 54, 2023) |url=https://playbill.com/production/pictures-from-home-broadway-studio-54-2023 |access-date=February 10, 2023 |website=Playbill|postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Green |first=Jesse |date=February 10, 2023 |title=Review: How to Shoot Your Parents, in 'Pictures From Home' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/09/theater/pictures-from-home-review.html |access-date=February 10, 2023 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2024 || ''[[Days of Wine and Roses (musical)|Days of Wine and Roses]]'' || <ref name="The Broadway League 2022 p068">{{IBDB title|title=Days of Wine and Roses|description=(Original)|id=538007}}; {{Cite web |date=September 13, 2023 |title=Days Of Wine And Roses (Broadway, Studio 54, 2024) |url=https://playbill.com/production/days-of-wine-and-roses-broadway-studio-54-2024 |access-date=September 13, 2023 |website=Playbill}}<br />{{Cite news |date=January 26, 2024 |title=How 'Days of Wine and Roses' became a musical about love, and addiction |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater/2024/01/26/days-wine-roses-broadway-kelli-ohara-brian-darcy-james/ |access-date=January 28, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>
|-
| 2024 || ''[[A Wonderful World (musical)|A Wonderful World]]'' || <ref name="The Broadway League n679">{{IBDB title|title=The Louis Armstrong Musical|description=(Original)|id=538991}}; {{cite web | title=A Wonderful World (Broadway, Studio 54, 2024) | website=Playbill | date=February 28, 2024 | url=https://playbill.com/production/a-wonderful-world-broadway-studio-54-2024 | access-date=April 18, 2024|postscript=none}}; {{cite web | last=Paulson | first=Michael | title=Louis Armstrong Musical 'A Wonderful World' Set for Broadway | website=[[The New York Times]] | date=February 28, 2024 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/28/theater/louis-armstrong-wonderful-world-broadway.html | access-date=April 18, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| 2025 || ''[[Jean Smart|Call Me Izzy]]'' || <ref name="b542346">{{IBDB title|title=Call Me Izzy|description=(Original)|id=542346}}; {{cite web | title=Call Me Izzy (Broadway, Studio 54, 2025) | website=Playbill | date=March 10, 2025 | url=https://playbill.com/production/call-me-izzy-broadway-studio-54-2025 | access-date=March 22, 2025|postscript=none}}; {{cite web | last=Paulson | first=Michael | title=Jean Smart Will Star in a One-Woman Broadway Show | website=The New York Times | date=March 10, 2025 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/10/theater/jean-smart-broadway.html | access-date=March 12, 2025}}</ref>
|-
| 2025 || ''[[Oedipus (Dryden play)|Oedipus]]'' || <ref name=Hall2025/>
|-
| 2026 || ''[[The Rocky Horror Show]]'' || <ref name=Hall2025/>
|}
{{div col end}}

== Legacy ==
[[File:Studio54 Vegas.jpg|thumb|alt=Studio 54 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas|Studio 54 at [[MGM Grand Las Vegas|MGM Grand]] in [[Las Vegas]]]]
By the late 1970s, the original nightclub had spurred the creation of Studio 54-themed jeans, a record label, an album, and a Japanese club.<ref name="p2513149544" /> ''[[Architectural Digest]]'' magazine described Studio 54 as "the nightclub where the velvet rope was born", its impact evident long after the venue had been converted back to a theater.<ref name="Romeyn2018" /> ''[[GQ (magazine)|GQ]]'' magazine wrote in 2020: "When you want to designate a particular brand of louche elegance on a night-time scene, Studio 54 is the natural first port of comparative call."<ref name="Flynn 2020">{{Cite web |last=Flynn |first=Paul |date=July 21, 2020 |title=The inside story of Studio 54, Manhattan's most legendary club ever |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/studio-54 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915174622/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/studio-54 |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |website=British GQ}}</ref>

=== Cultural impact ===

==== Media ====
The nightclub has been the subject of several works of popular media. The original Studio 54 was featured in the 1998 drama film [[54 (film)|''54'']].<ref name="Alleman e161" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lattanzio |first=Ryan |date=July 9, 2015 |title=How '54: The Director's Cut' Was Resurrected From 1998 Disaster to New Gay Cult Classic |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2015/07/how-54-the-directors-cut-was-resurrected-from-1998-disaster-to-new-gay-cult-classic-186318/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226024727/https://www.indiewire.com/2015/07/how-54-the-directors-cut-was-resurrected-from-1998-disaster-to-new-gay-cult-classic-186318/ |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |access-date=June 30, 2022 |website=IndieWire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Louis |date=February 16, 2015 |title=54 Bombed in 1998. Now It's Been Resurrected as a Cult Gay Classic. |url=https://www.vulture.com/2015/02/54-directors-cut.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731020856/https://www.vulture.com/2015/02/54-directors-cut.html |archive-date=July 31, 2019 |access-date=June 30, 2022 |website=Vulture}}</ref> ''[[Studio 54 (film)|Studio 54]]'', a 98-minute documentary by [[Matt Tyrnauer]] released in 2018,<ref name="nyt-2018-10-05" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=May 21, 2018 |title=''Studio 54'' Sells to Zeitgeist Films and Kino Lorber (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/markets-festivals/studio-54-zeitgeist-films-kino-lorber-1202817062/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016164909/https://variety.com/2018/film/markets-festivals/studio-54-zeitgeist-films-kino-lorber-1202817062/ |archive-date=October 16, 2018 |access-date=October 16, 2018 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> includes unpublished footage of the club and interviews with Ian Schrager.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kenny |first=Glenn |author-link=Glenn Kenny |date=October 4, 2018 |title=Review: Against the Odds, ''Studio 54'' Sheds Light on the Club |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/04/movies/studio-54-review.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016130045/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/04/movies/studio-54-review.html |archive-date=October 16, 2018 |access-date=October 16, 2018 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The fourth season of the television series ''[[American Crime Story]]'', announced in 2021, focuses on the club during the 1970s.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Turchiano |first=Danielle |date=August 13, 2021 |title=FX Orders ''American Love Story'' and ''American Sports Story'' Anthologies, Has ''Studio 54: American Crime Story'' Officially in Development |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/american-crime-story-studio-54-love-sports-story-fx-1235041202/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816112344/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/american-crime-story-studio-54-love-sports-story-fx-1235041202/ |archive-date=August 16, 2021 |access-date=August 16, 2021 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> Studio 54 also appears as a setting in other movies, including the 1999 film [[Summer of Sam|''Summer of Sam'']] and the 1996 film [[I Shot Andy Warhol|''I Shot Andy Warhol'']].<ref name="Alleman e161" /> Several books have also been written about the nightclub. The writer [[Anthony Haden-Guest]] published a book about Studio 54 and the disco subculture in 1997,<ref name="The New York Times 1997">{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=David |date=April 13, 1997 |title=Behind the Velvet Rope |url=https://www.nytimes.com/books/97/04/13/reviews/970413.kelley.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123040419/http://www.nytimes.com/books/97/04/13/reviews/970413.kelley.html |archive-date=November 23, 2016 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |website=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> and Mark Fleischman published his memoir ''Inside Studio 54'' in October 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Fleischman |first1=Mark |last2=Chatman |first2=Denise |last3=Fleischman |first3=Mimi |date=September 23, 2017 |title='Inside Studio 54' Takes You Behind The Velvet Rope, And Into Some Dark Corners |url=https://www.npr.org/2017/09/23/549453578/-inside-studio-54-takes-you-behind-the-velvet-rope-and-into-some-dark-corners |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829202019/https://www.npr.org/2017/09/23/549453578/-inside-studio-54-takes-you-behind-the-velvet-rope-and-into-some-dark-corners |archive-date=August 29, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |publisher=NPR}}</ref> Schrager also published a book in 2018, ''Studio 54'', with images of the club.<ref name="Dool 2017" /> In 2024, [[Robert Greenblatt]] and [[Neil Meron]] began producing ''Studio 54 the Musical'', a Broadway musical about the club.<ref>{{cite web | last=Evans | first=Greg | title='Studio 54 The Musical' In Development For Broadway By Producers Robert Greenblatt & Neil Meron; Sergio Trujillo Directing & Choreographing | website=Deadline | date=June 27, 2024 | url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/studio-54-the-musical-broadway-1235984718/ | access-date=September 19, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Daniels | first=Karu F. | title=Broadway musical about Studio 54 currently in the works | website=[[New York Daily News]] | date=June 28, 2024 | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/06/27/studio-54-musical-broadway/ | access-date=September 19, 2024}}</ref> 

Studio 54 has also had an influence on disco music. The 1979 song ''[[Fashion Pack]]'' by [[Amanda Lear]] from her third album ''[[Never Trust a Pretty Face]]'' makes references to Studio 54. [[Casablanca Records]] released a compilation album of disco music, ''[[A Night at Studio 54]]'', in 1979;<ref name="Cue">{{Cite magazine |year=1979 |title=Studio 54 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T0oQAQAAMAAJ&q=%22a+night+at+studio+54%22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630161847/https://books.google.com/books?id=T0oQAQAAMAAJ&q=%22a+night+at+studio+54%22 |archive-date=June 30, 2022 |access-date=June 30, 2022 |magazine=Cue New York |page=20 |volume=48 |issue=7–12}}</ref> it peaked at No.&nbsp;21 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] album chart and sold close to a million copies.<ref name="Bessman">{{Cite magazine |last=Bessman |first=Jim |date=March 23, 2002 |title=Heartland Music |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dxAEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22a+night+at+studio+54%22&pg=PA80 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922131823/https://books.google.com/books?id=dxAEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22a+night+at+studio+54%22&pg=PA80 |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=June 30, 2022 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |page=80 |volume=114 |issue=12}}</ref><ref name="Carlin">{{Cite book |last=Carlin |first=Richard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=okaFCwAAQBAJ&q=%22a+night+at+studio+54%22&pg=PT174 |title=Godfather of the Music Business: Morris Levy |date=March 10, 2016 |publisher=University Press of Mississippi |isbn=978-1-4968-0570-6 |location=Mississippi |access-date=June 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630161848/https://books.google.com/books?id=okaFCwAAQBAJ&q=%22a+night+at+studio+54%22&pg=PT174 |archive-date=June 30, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2011, Sirius XM launched [[Studio 54 Radio]], a satellite radio station featuring classic disco and dance tracks from the 1970s to the 2000s.<ref name="Ryzik 2011">{{Cite web |last=Ryzik |first=Melena |date=August 10, 2011 |title=Got to Boogie on the Disco 'Round: Studio 54 Radio on SiriusXM |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/10/got-to-boogie-on-the-disco-round-studio-54-radio-on-siriusxm/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922131823/https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/10/got-to-boogie-on-the-disco-round-studio-54-radio-on-siriusxm/ |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=ArtsBeat}}</ref><ref name="WWD" /> In 2020, it expanded into a music imprint including a record label, Studio 54 Music,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Bain |first=Katie |date=May 21, 2020 |title=Studio 54 to Launch Record Label Focused on Modern Disco |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/9388491/studio-54-new-record-label |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625082515/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/9388491/studio-54-new-record-label |archive-date=June 25, 2021 |access-date=February 8, 2022 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref><ref name="Mixmag 2020">{{Cite web |last=Hinton |first=Patrick |date=May 15, 2020 |title=Legendary New York club Studio 54 is starting a label |url=https://mixmag.net/read/legendary-new-york-club-studio-54-music-label-disco-news |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922225353/https://mixmag.net/read/legendary-new-york-club-studio-54-music-label-disco-news |archive-date=September 22, 2021 |access-date=February 8, 2022 |website=Mixmag}}</ref><ref name="Bain2020">{{Cite magazine |last=Bain |first=Katie |date=May 21, 2020 |title=Studio 54 Is Launching a Record Label Focused on Modern Disco |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/9388491/studio-54-new-record-label |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725035316/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/9388491/studio-54-new-record-label |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |access-date=July 25, 2020 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> which works with Sirius XM on Studio 54 Radio.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 10, 2021 |title=Label of the month: Studio 54 Music Carrying the torch |url=http://www.internationaldjmag.com/label-of-the-month-studio-54-music.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208025253/http://www.internationaldjmag.com/label-of-the-month-studio-54-music.html |archive-date=February 8, 2022 |access-date=February 8, 2022 |website=International DJ Mag}}</ref> The label's first release, ''Night Magic Vol. 1'', is a four-track compilation EP of disco anthems from the club's prime days, revised by musicians from both the original scene and the modern dance music era.<ref name="Mixmag 2020" /><ref name="Bain2020" /> Studio 54 also inspired the name and overall concept of singer-songwriter [[Dua Lipa]]'s 2020 concert series ''[[Studio 2054]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |date=November 27, 2020 |title=Dua Lipa: Studio 2054 live stream review – perfect escapist pop |url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/nov/27/dua-lipa-studio-2054-live-stream-review-perfect-escapist-pop |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128000332/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/nov/27/dua-lipa-studio-2054-live-stream-review-perfect-escapist-pop |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |access-date=November 28, 2020 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

==== Exhibitions and similar clubs ====
The club has been featured in several exhibitions. These include an exhibit of Studio 54 photographs, which Haden-Guest presented at the WhiteBox art gallery in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Ken |date=July 23, 2015 |title='The Last Party' Celebrates New York Club Culture |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/24/arts/design/the-last-party-celebrates-new-york-club-culture.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729134606/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/24/arts/design/the-last-party-celebrates-new-york-club-culture.html |archive-date=July 29, 2015 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> as well as a [[Brooklyn Museum]] exhibition titled ''Night Magic'', which premiered in 2020.<ref name="Martoccio Martoccio 2020">{{Cite magazine |last=Martoccio |first=Angie |date=October 21, 2020 |title='Studio 54: Night Magic': See Photos from Brooklyn Museum's Exhibit |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/studio-54-photos-brooklyn-museum-1078757/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208025302/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/studio-54-photos-brooklyn-museum-1078757/ |archive-date=February 8, 2022 |access-date=February 8, 2022 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> In addition, multiple Studio 54-themed collections from fashion and cosmetics brands, including [[Calvin Klein (company)|Calvin Klein]], [[Michael Kors]] and [[NARS Cosmetics]], were released in 2019. The collections took inspiration from the club's glamorous heyday and showcased the iconic "54" logo.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clark |first=Evan |date=October 10, 2019 |title=Still Partying With Studio 54 |url=https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/still-partying-with-studio-1203341449/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019165737/https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/still-partying-with-studio-1203341449/ |archive-date=October 19, 2019 |access-date=October 19, 2019 |work=[[Women's Wear Daily]]}}</ref>

Several venues have been likened to Studio 54. [[Fiorucci]], an Italian fashion shop formerly located on East [[59th Street (Manhattan)|59th Street]], became known in the late 1970s as the "daytime Studio 54".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chaplin |first=Julia |date=June 10, 2001 |title=Once So Hot and Now, Can It Be Again? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/10/style/once-so-hot-and-now-can-it-be-again.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105161030/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/10/style/once-so-hot-and-now-can-it-be-again.html |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> [[The Mutiny Hotel]] in Miami, Florida, was described in a ''[[PBS NewsHour]]'' interview as "kind of the closest thing to Miami's Studio 54" in the late 1970s.<ref name="pbs">{{Cite news |date=December 27, 2017 |title='Hotel Scarface' recounts glamorous, infamous epicenter of Miami's cocaine days |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/hotel-scarface-recounts-glamorous-infamous-epicenter-of-miamis-cocaine-days |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025908/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/hotel-scarface-recounts-glamorous-infamous-epicenter-of-miamis-cocaine-days |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |access-date=May 7, 2022 |work=[[PBS NewsHour]]}}</ref> The nightclub also inspired the creation of a [[Studio 54 (Las Vegas)|Studio 54-themed nightclub]] at the [[MGM Grand Las Vegas]] hotel and casino in 1997;<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 26, 1997 |title=Studio 54 to glitter again at MGM Grand |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109660217/studio-54-to-glitter-again-at-mgm-grand/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922131831/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109660217/studio-54-to-glitter-again-at-mgm-grand/ |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |pages=376 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> that club operated until 2012.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Adams |first=Mark |date=November 16, 2011 |title=54 days to go until Studio 54 Las Vegas closes |url=http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/2011/nov/16/54-days-go-until-studio-54-las-vegas-closes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322171142/http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/2011/nov/16/54-days-go-until-studio-54-las-vegas-closes/ |archive-date=March 22, 2012 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[Las Vegas Weekly]]}}</ref>

=== Memorabilia and preservation ===
Before Rubell died in 1989, he saved "every single item" that he collected from the nightclub, such as the reservation book, invitation cards, and drink tickets.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Itzkoff |first=Dave |date=January 16, 2013 |title=Selling Some Old Sparkle From Nights at Studio 54 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/17/arts/studio-54-memorabilia-to-be-sold-at-auction.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617020409/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/17/arts/studio-54-memorabilia-to-be-sold-at-auction.html |archive-date=June 17, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> More than 400 of these items were sold at an auction in [[West Palm Beach, Florida]], in January 2013,<ref name="UPI 2013">{{Cite web |date=January 20, 2013 |title=Studio 54 items auctioned off |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/01/20/Studio-54-items-auctioned-off/24251358701420/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428082613/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/01/20/Studio-54-items-auctioned-off/24251358701420/ |archive-date=April 28, 2017 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |work=United Press International}}</ref> attracting hundreds of buyers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Salisbury |first=Susan |date=January 20, 2013 |title=Studio 54 memorabilia auction in West Palm Beach attracts crowd |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/2013/01/20/studio-54-memorabilia-auction-in/7937554007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922131829/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/2013/01/20/studio-54-memorabilia-auction-in/7937554007/ |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=The Palm Beach Post}}</ref> The auction yielded $316,680;<ref name="Itzkoff 2013">{{Cite web |last=Itzkoff |first=Dave |date=January 22, 2013 |title=Disco Inferno at Fire-Sale Prices as Studio 54 Items Go On the Block |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/22/disco-inferno-at-fire-sale-prices-as-studio-54-items-go-on-the-block/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922131825/https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/22/disco-inferno-at-fire-sale-prices-as-studio-54-items-go-on-the-block/ |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=ArtsBeat}}</ref><ref name="Salisbury 2013">{{Cite web |last=Salisbury |first=Susan |date=January 23, 2013 |title=Studio 54 collection brings $316,680 at auction in West Palm Beach |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/business/2013/01/23/studio-54-collection-brings-316/7259236007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922131829/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/business/2013/01/23/studio-54-collection-brings-316/7259236007/ |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=The Palm Beach Post}}</ref> the most expensive item was a $52,800 [[Andy Warhol]] sculpture.<ref name="Itzkoff 2013" />

The [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] (LPC) had started considering protecting Studio 54 as a landmark in 1982,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |date=October 20, 1982 |title=Landmark Status Sought for Theaters |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/20/nyregion/landmark-status-sought-for-theaters.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029222429/https://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/20/nyregion/landmark-status-sought-for-theaters.html |archive-date=October 29, 2021 |access-date=October 29, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> with discussions continuing over the next several years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shepard |first=Joan |date=August 28, 1985 |title=Is the final curtain near? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85456704 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921174705/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85456704/is-the-final-curtain-near/ |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |access-date=September 16, 2021 |work=[[New York Daily News]] |pages=462, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85456671/broadway/ 464] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The LPC commenced a wide-ranging effort to grant landmark status to Broadway theaters in 1987, and the commission considered designating Studio 54's interior as a landmark.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |date=November 22, 1987 |title=The Region; The City Casts Its Theaters In Stone |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/22/weekinreview/the-region-the-city-casts-its-theaters-in-stone.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016164623/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/22/weekinreview/the-region-the-city-casts-its-theaters-in-stone.html |archive-date=October 16, 2021 |access-date=October 16, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Ultimately, although the LPC protected 28 Broadway theaters as landmarks, Studio 54 was not one of them.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Purdum |first=Todd S. |date=March 12, 1988 |title=28 Theaters Are Approved as Landmarks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/12/nyregion/28-theaters-are-approved-as-landmarks.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030050107/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/12/nyregion/28-theaters-are-approved-as-landmarks.html |archive-date=October 30, 2021 |access-date=November 20, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Broadway theaters]]

==References==

=== Notes ===
{{Notelist}}

=== Citations ===
{{Reflist|30em}}

=== Sources ===
* {{Cite report |url=https://eyesofageneration.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/The-History-of-CBS-New-York-Television-Studios-1937-1965-1.pdf |title=The History of CBS New York Television Studios: 1937–1965 |last=Ellerbee |first=Bobby |date=June 2016 |work=Eyes of a Generation}}
* {{Cite book |last=Haden-Guest |first=Anthony |url=https://archive.org/details/lastpartystudio500anth |title=The Last Party: Studio 54, Disco, and the Culture of the Night |publisher=[[William Morrow and Company]] |year=1997 |isbn=978-0688160982 |author-link=Anthony Haden-Guest |url-access=registration}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite news |last1=Colacello |first1=Bob |author1-link=Bob Colacello |title=Anything Went |url=https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/1996/3/anything-went |work=Vanity Fair |date=March 1996 |pages=182 ff |issn=1723-6673 |url-access=limited}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Gaines |first1=Steven |title=The Club, a Novel |last2=Cohen |first2=Robert Jon |publisher=William Morrow and Company |year=1979 |ref=none |author-link=Steven Gaines}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ricardo |first=Jack |title=Last Dance at Studio 54 |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-4675-1362-3 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Schrager |first1=Ian |title=Studio 54 |last2=Goldberger |first2=Paul |last3=Colacello |first3=Bob |date=2017 |publisher=Rizzoli |isbn=978-0-8478-4344-2 |oclc=954104241}}
* {{Cite book |last=Yokobosky |first=Matthew |title=Studio 54 : night magic |date=2020 |publisher=National Geographic Books |isbn=978-0-8478-6922-0 |oclc=1141144488 |ref=none}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Studio 54}}
* {{official|https://www.roundabouttheatre.org/theatres-and-venues/studio-54/|Roundabout Theatre at Studio 54}}
* {{IBDB venue|id=1165|venue=Studio 54}}

{{Broadway theatres}}
{{Midtown North, Manhattan}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Studio 54| ]]
[[Category:1927 establishments in New York City]]
[[Category:Broadway theatres]]
[[Category:1920s architecture in the United States]]
[[Category:CBS television studios]]
[[Category:Cultural history of New York City]]
[[Category:Defunct nightclubs in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Midtown Manhattan]]
[[Category:Nightclubs in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Opera houses in New York City]]
[[Category:Theatres completed in 1927]]