New York City is a vibrant metropolitan with a bustling arts scene. The Big Apple boasts more than three dozen Broadway theaters (as well as several off-Broadway theaters) that host original and classic productions. Although recent figures are unavailable due to Broadway’s COVID-19-related shutdown, the Broadway League notes that Broadway plays and musicals grossed in excess of $1.82 billion in ticket sales during the 2018-19 season. Moreover, a record 14 million people attended Broadway productions that year.
All of the 41 Broadway theaters in New York City are impressive enough to be the best theater in most major cities worldwide, but some stand out from the others for their size, history, and architecture. Below is a look at five of the most notable Broadway theaters in New York City.
Richard Rodgers Theatre
Vulture named the Richard Rodgers Theatre as the best on Broadway in 2018, in part due to the fact it was hosting showings of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award winning Hamilton at the time. Hamilton debuted at the Richard Rodgers in 2015 and reopened at the theater on September 4, 2021, following an 18-month absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before Hamilton, the Richard Rodgers housed 10 Tony Award-winning Best Musical and Best Play productions, including In the Heights (2008 Best Musical), Lost in Yonkers (1991 Best Play), Fences (1987 Best Play), and Guys and Dolls (1951 Best Musical).
The Richard Rodgers opened in 1924 and was known as the 46th Street Theatre until 1990, when it was renamed in honor of a legendary composer who contributed to Broadway productions for more than 30 years. Dubbed a quintessential Broadway theater by Vulture, the exterior of the building incorporates Greco-Roman elements such as magnificent murals, gold patterns, and plush red velvet. Inside, the theater has a 1,319-seat auditorium and a gallery that houses historic Richard Rodgers memorabilia.
Lyric Theatre
Managed by The Shubert Organization, Lyric Theatre boasts a 1,829-seat auditorium at its 214 West 43rd Street location in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan. The theater originally opened in 1903, but was converted into a movie theater in 1934. It reopened in 1998 as the Ford Center for the Performing Arts and was later known as the Hilton Theatre and Foxwoods Theatre before once again adopting the Lyric Theatre moniker.
Since its reopening, Lyric Theatre has housed Jesus Christ Superstar, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. The latter broke the record for the highest single-week gross ($2.94 million) in Broadway history during the week ending January 1, 2012. Lyric Theatre is now hosting Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Lyric Theatre is known for its accommodating theater staff and impressive sound and lighting technology. It has a large and reasonably deep stage to allow for impressive visual effects that might not be possible at other theaters. For instance, both Spider-Man and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang utilized intensive “fly over the audience” mechanisms. The theater also features a private bar known as The Ambassador Lounge.
Music Box Theatre
The Shubert Organization also manages Music Box Theatre at 239 W 45th Street. The theater was developed by Irving Berlin in 1920 to house The Music Box Revue, a musical revue created by his producer friend Sam H. Harris. The Shuberts have been the sole owners of the venue since 2007. Designed by Charles Howard Crane and E. George Kiehler, the exterior of the Music Box Theatre resembles a country home more so than a typical Broadway playhouse. It has hosted Dear Evan Hansen since 2016, and previously housed notable productions such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Macbeth, A Few Good Men, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Gershwin Theatre
The Gershwin Theatre perhaps isn’t as notable for its elegant exterior as some of the other Broadway theaters, but is the largest theater on Broadway with more than 1,900 seats. Inside, it features a well-designed layout, rustic-looking chandeliers hanging high from the ceiling, and black heavy-suede seats. It opened in 1972 as the Uris Theatre. Its inaugural production, Via Galactica, lost nearly $1 million and closed following just seven performances. It has since hosted notable productions such as Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and My Fair Lady.
Since its name change in 1983, the Gershwin has hosted Much Ado About Nothing, Starlight Express, Peter Pan, and Oklahoma! It has hosted Wicked since 2003. In addition, the Gershwin was the host venue for the Tony Awards six times from 1983 to 1999. It is named in honor of brothers George and Ira Gershwin, who worked as a composer and lyricist, respectively, for many Broadway productions.
New Amsterdam Theatre
New Amsterdam Theatre is among the largest on Broadway with 1,801 seats and has a unique history that makes it stand out from other theaters. Originally opened in 1903, it experienced a gradual decline following the Great Depression and was even abandoned for two decades before it was restored by 42nd Street Development Corporation in the early 1990s. On the heels of the success of the musical Beauty and the Beast, The Walt Disney Company purchased the theater to establish it as its permanent home for future stage productions. It has been home to Aladdin since 2014.