‘‘In the Days of Porn Stores and Movie Theaters, Nobody Bothered You’’ — Paul Ford on the Changing Face of Hell’s Kitchen

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So, what’s your New York story? Born here, or just arrived?
I’m from Atlanta and moved here in 1978 at 25 years old, played the piano for Broadway shows until 2015. I’ve lived in two apartments, both on W45th Street — now I live at the famous Whitby apartment building.

What was your first job? What do you do now?
My first job in 1978 was playing the piano for the 1954 musical, The Golden Apple, at the York Theatre. I have been retired for seven years

What’s your favorite New York minute (or moment) so far?
Being offered the pianist’s job on the original Stephen Sondheim show, Sunday in the Park with George in 1984… and having Petula Clark sit on my couch!

Share with us why you love Hell’s Kitchen
It was incredibly convenient for doing 20 Broadway shows, and also many fantastic famous people came to my apartment for various show business purposes. My building went co-op in 1987, and my maintenance is really low today — yes, it can happen just one block from Times Square! I used to know everybody in the neighborhood, because at one time everybody was in show business. I love the fact that it’s now a very gay neighborhood.

What’s your superpower or hidden talent?
I had a talent for playing the piano but it certainly wasn’t hidden. I published a book about my career last March and I think I could write something else! Superpower?? I’ve been sober for 27 years.

What else should we know about you?
My parents were the greatest people ever and supported me fully in my personal life and my professional life. My mother in particular came to see everything I did — unfortunately, the rest of my Republican Trump-supporting so called family couldn’t have cared less. I consider myself a survivor through epidemics, bouts of self-destruction and show business itself. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have worked with some of the greatest people and if I owe any success to anything it’s that I always showed up two hours early for every gig, show, rehearsal or auditions — I was NEVER late! I was a great organizer and troubleshooter and that got me more jobs than my piano playing skills!

Paul’s Favorite West Side Places

Ollie’s Sichuan — 411 W42nd Street (bw 9th/10th Ave)
I have been seeing a terrific Chinese gentleman for a year and we have a great time eating.
I like having my friend explain all the details about the food, and it’s reasonably priced

It WAS Colony Records
I found all the great sheet music and cast albums here. It’s still there in my memories.

Manhattan Plaza — 400 W43rd Street (bw 9th/10th Ave)
Because of all the friends I’ve made there

Westway Diner — 614 9th Avenue (bw W43/44th St)
30 years of eating with friends there

All Season Bodywork — 594 9th Avenue (bw W42/43rd St)
Massages, massages, massages at an extremely reasonable price

Galaxy Diner — 665 9th Avenue (bw W46/47th St)
again, eating with friends there

Yum Yum Too — 662 9th Avenue (bw W46/47th St)
Delicious, and my new boyfriend approves of it

Schmackary’s Cookies — 362 W45th Street (bw 8th/9th Ave)
I’m diabetic so I can’t have them anymore but at least I get to smell them.

My building The Whitby
Easy, convenient, clean, great rooftop, and over the years, many performers lived here dating back to the 1920s

46th Street Club House — 252 W46th St fl2 (bw 8th/Broadway)
Home of 12-step meetings for decades, unfortunately hanging on by a thread thanks to the ridiculous hotel being built at 45th and 8th —what Times Square doesn’t need is another big hotel! LOL

Anything else you’d like to tell us?
Yes. I think the Times Square pedestrian mall, the bike lanes, the pedestrian lanes, the blocking off of lanes preventing traffic from flowing smoothly is idiotic, not to mention the weed stores. I preferred my neighborhood in the days of porn stores and porn movie theaters, because nobody bothered you and it was quiet! But things never revert back.

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You can follow Paul on Instagram @lord_knows_at_least_i_was_ — and his memoir, Lord Knows, At Least I Was There, is available at all good bookstores (and Amazon).

If you know someone who would make a great West Side Story (or you would like to nominate yourself) please fill in this form —w42st.info/WSSnominations (Thanks to Doug Berger for nominating Paul). You can check out more West Side Stories and reader recommendations on W42ST’s Hell’s Kitchen Local App.