Noah’s Ark on Broadway

Noah’s Ark on Broadway 1896

LISTEN NOW (8 minutes):

Listen Now as Francis Douglas tells of when Noah’s Ark was featured on New York City’s Broadway stage.

PODCAST TRANSCRIPT:

Today on Celebrate the Bible:

NOAH’S ARK on BROADWAY in 1896

You are not likely to find anything about Noah’s Ark on New York City’s famous Broadway today … but, at one time, it was the “toast of the town”.

Noah’s Ark, and the great world-wide flood as recorded in Genesis, is perhaps one of the most easily identifiable events in all of the Bible. The most interesting aspect of this episode is not the illusion itself, but the fact that it attracted so many people from New York City’s secular population: from every-day working families, to the City’s upper crust … all were thrilled with the experience.

The lights are bright on Broadway, New York City: The world-famous Hammerstein’s 2,800-seat Olympia Theater and Music Hall on Broadway at 44th Street. Hand-tinted, glass plate transparency from 1895. Collection of the author.

A few points of note:

Technical details of the illusion were featured in Scientific American magazine
The Olympia was the premiere entertainment showplace of the world
Biblical themes were very popular, with all NYC audiences at the Olympia
It was founded and built by famous Oscar Hammerstein
It was reported that audiences were left spellbound after each Noah’s Ark performance

It was so popular and well-received, that the highly respected science publication, Scientific American, devoted an entire page to this Biblically-themed entertainment attraction — complete with stunning illustrations.

Let’s take a step-by-step look at the Noah’s Ark illusion. I will inter-space the steps throughout today’s presentation.

STEP ONE

STEP ONE: The illusion began with what is meant to be interpreted as Noah’s Ark on the stage. The performers open all sides of the ark, to show that it is completely empty. Collection of the author.

Hammerstein’s Olympia Theater and Music Hall was once celebrated as the foremost entertainment venue in the entire world.

Located at 44th and Broadway in New York City, it was only two blocks from what is known today as Times Square. The main theater held 2,800-seats. And the building took up an entire city block.

STEP TWO

STEP TWO: The performers then begin to pour buckets of water into the Ark, denoting the great world-wide flood recorded in the book of Genesis. This continues until it is filled with water … or, at least giving the illusion of being filled with water. I’ll share more of that during the fifth and final step. Collection of the author.

The rooftop was just as famous as the theater and music hall. It had a 65-foot tall glass roof, and was illuminated with over 3,000 light bulbs. To provide electricity, there were four dynamos that generated 3,200 amps of power. These dynamos also powered a complete air circulation system, and pump, that brought refrigerated water from the basement to the rooftop area — providing what was a very early version of air conditioning … in 1896!

STEP THREE: After the Ark has been filled with water, the performers open square windows on the side facing the audience, and begin removing various animals, two-by-two, which have survived the theatrical flood event. Collection of the author.

Not to be outdone by any other venue, the rooftop also had trees, rocks, and even a stream that eventually led to a 40-foot lake. There were swans, ducks, and even South American monkeys.

And, while you were enjoying all of this, you could walk around the perimeter of the roof, and take in views of Central Park and neighboring New Jersey.

At the time, the cost of admission for everything, including entertainment, was only 50-cents! However, keep in mind, with the rate of inflation from 1896 to 2025, that same fifty cent admission price would be equivalent to roughly $15 to $20 today.

STEP FOUR

STEP FOUR: Once the animals have all been removed, the entire front panel of Noah’s Ark is swung down, and it reveals, as Scientific American puts it, “a beautiful, eastern woman“ … reclining within the Ark. Just moments before, at least appearing to the audience, the Ark was completely filled with water. Collection of the author.

The Scientific American publication was founded by inventor and publisher Rufus Porter in 1845. Contributors of note include Thomas Edison, Robert Goddard, Jonas Salk, Albert Einstein, and Linus Pauling — just to name a few.

STEP FIVE: The SOLUTION

STEP FIVE: The “solution to the illusion”: The animals are kept in a small compartment, located in the two, very fancy side panels of the Ark. The animals are removed through the front panel windows of the ark facing the audience. The woman is physically attached to the rear panel, which, in the very beginning, when the completely empty Ark interior is revealed, it leaves her unseen to the audience. Collection of the author.

The answer to the filling of the Ark with water is a simple one … the water funnel on the top of the Ark is attached to a hose that runs down through the support beams, then empties under the stage. The water never fills the Ark in the first place.

Other than taking creative license with a few details (for instance, the real ark was never filled with water), it was a wonderful opportunity for audience members to experience one of the great Biblical events on the grand Broadway stage.

Perhaps one day we’ll see a revival of the Noah’s Ark Illusion, or a variation on the theme. In the meantime, I’m glad to have been able to bring it to you with this Celebrate the Bible 250 podcast.

So, until we meet again, and for celebratethebible250, this is Francis Douglas.

 If you would like me to give a presentation and small exhibit to your church group, school, or organization, on the History of the Christian Holy Bible in America, I’ll place contact information below as the 2026 Semiquincentennial America 250 year approaches.

I will be available for Southern New Jersey, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Northern Delaware.