Bootleg Betty
Playing The Palace Feature Documentary May 13
By Mister D
April 27, 2025
Playing the Palace is a feature documentary that chronicles the history and recent transformation of Broadway’s Palace Theatre, a legendary venue in New York City. Directed, produced, and written by Cody Williams, and hosted by journalist Frank DiLella, the film explores the theatre’s evolution from its vaudeville roots, starting in 1913, to its present-day status as a Broadway landmark.
The Palace Theatre, located at 1564 Broadway, was once the preeminent vaudeville house in the United States, where performing meant an artist had “made it.” Over the years, it has hosted entertainment icons such as Ethel Barrymore, Harry Houdini, Judy Garland, Bette Midler, and Diana Ross. Later, it transitioned into a legitimate theatre under James M. Nederlander in 1965, beginning with the musical Sweet Charity.
The documentary features exclusive interviews with prominent figures in the Broadway world, including Bernadette Peters, Joel Grey, Heather Headley, Ben Platt, and Ethan Slater, as well as co-owners James L. Nederlander and Stewart F. Lane. These interviews highlight the theatre’s cultural significance and its role as a stage for star-studded productions like Beauty and the Beast, Aida, La Cage aux Folles, and Woman of the Year. The film also covers the theatre’s recent renovations, showcasing its modern transformation while preserving its historical legacy.
Playing the Palace began streaming on ALL ARTS on May 13, 2025, at 6 p.m. ET, with a television broadcast on PBS at 9 p.m. ET the same day. The trailer for the documentary was released on April 23, 2025, generating buzz for its celebration of the Palace Theatre’s enduring impact on Broadway.
Note: There is no connection between this documentary and other works like the book Playing the Palace by Paul Rudnick or unrelated documentaries such as Malice at the Palace. If you meant a different work, please clarify!
