Just got the latest e-newsletter from the Museum of Sex, and it included a bit of history about the Harmony Theatre in New York.
The Harmony Theatre
The Harmony Theatre, (previously known as the Melody Burlesk) was considered one of the greatest and most titillating burlesque theaters of its time. Located at Broadway and 48th Street in Manhattan in the 1980s and early '90s, the Harmony Theatre paid tribute to the old traditions of striptease.
From its Times Square location, featuring a T-shaped runway, complete nudity, and well known strippers and porn stars headlining each show, the Harmony was the essence of burlesque, where exotic dancing combined golden era burlesque with more sexually explicit routines.
The Harmony Theatre entertained, enchanted, and excited patrons from all over New York City. One of the longest-running strip establishments in the area, it was closed down in the early 90s during Mayor Giuliani's raid against sex in Times Square.
The Harmony Theatre lives on in the collections of Museum of Sex, where a number of artifacts that include raunchy and provocative photographs, original signage and promotional materials, as well as costumes literally drenched with the sweat of the dancers, are included in the collection.
Please note: The Harmony Theatre Collection is not currently on view.
Photo courtesy of Harmony Theatre
One of these days, I have got to get to NY, and check out the Museum of Sex's research library and artifact collection!
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