Built as a stage theatre in the 1920s, the Cadence Theatre is a monument to the Golden Age of the New York stage. Intended to rival Florenz Ziegfeld’s Follies and George White’s Scandals, the Cadence was soon established as one of the most promising new stages on the Great White Way.
Though the theater weathered difficulties during the Great Depression, including the notorious disappearance of the actress Viola Vane, the Cadence managed to thrive under new management, emerging in the 1940s and 1950s as a haven for experimental performance art and a stage to watch for up-and-coming talent. Unlike many theaters of its era, the Cadence survived the downturn of Manhattan’s Theater District, adapting to the times by diversifying its offerings. Throughout most of the 1970s and 1980s, the theater operated primarily as a cinema, before returning to its roots as a stage venue in 1995.
The Cadence Theatre has been family-owned and -operated for over 80 years. The Adler family is proud to continue its commitment to supporting innovative entertainment and advancing unsung voices in the arts.