The Neil Simon Theatre, situated at 250 West 52nd Street, debuted in November 1927 with the motion picture Funny Face, starring Fred and Adele Astaire. The theater was created by real estate tycoon Alexander Pincus and noted architect Herbert J. Krapp. The Nederlander Organization bought the Alvin Theatre in 1977 and renamed it the Neil Simon Theatre in honour of the famed American playwright Neil Simon.