The Room Where It Happens: Step Inside Richard Rodgers Theatre

History is happening in Manhattan — and more specifically at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. The venue first opened in 1925 as Chanin’s 46th Street Theatre, and was renamed in honor of legendary Broadway composer Richard Rodgers in 1990. The theater has been long-running home to Hamilton ever since the 11-time Tony-winning smash by Lin-Manuel Miranda took its first bow in 2015.

The Richard Rodgers Theatre box office is located at 226 W 46th St between 7th and 8th Ave, and is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on one-show days and from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on two-show days.

Below, dive into everything you need to know about the Richard Rodgers Theatre including the major productions throughout its history, its seating capacity, admission policies and more.

What Events Are Coming Up at Richard Rodgers Theatre?

See upcoming events and buy tickets for Richard Rodgers Theatre right here on Ticketmaster.

Richard Rodgers Theatre Theatre History

The Richard Rodgers Theatre was the first theater on Broadway built by architect and early American real estate developer Irwin S. Chanin, which is where the venue got its original name. (By 1931, the Shubert brothers had bought the building and rechristened it as simply the 46th Street Theatre.) The venue is named for American composer Richard Rodgers, who wrote 43 Broadway musicals and over 900 songs over the course of his career.

The theater is noted for being home to a record 11 Tony winners for Best Musical and Best Play — the most of any on Broadway. The musicals include the original productions of Guys and Dolls, Damn Yankees and How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, as well as Redhead, 1776, Nine and Raisin, while Fences and Lost in Yonkers round out the plays. Lin-Manuel Miranda then brought the Richard Rodgers Theatre its two most recent Tony winners with his 2008 musical In the Heights and Hamilton.

Other major productions mounted at the Richard Rodgers Theatre over the decades include The Greenwich Village Follies, Finian’s Rainbow, the original 1975 run of Chicago, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, the 1986 revival of Arsenic and Old Lace, the 1998 stage adaptation of Footloose, Seussical, Billy Joel’s Movin’ Out, Disney’s Tarzan and If/Then starring Idina Menzel.

Notably, the venue also broke the record for the highest-grossing week of any show in Broadway history when Hamilton grossed $4,041,493 in the final week of 2018.

Parking and Admission at Richard Rodgers Theatre

There is no designated on-site parking at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. However, there are numerous parking options in the Broadway Theater District. A display of the various parking options around Times Square can be viewed on Google Maps. Taxis can also stop outside the theater for dropoff and pickup.

Items prohibited inside Richard Rodgers Theatre include any and all weapons (including but not limited to firearms, ammunition, knives, swords, scissors, mace, etc.), flashlights or laser pointers, noise-making devices, fireworks, electric bikes or scooters, large professional cameras or video recording equipment and any and all illegal substances.

Richard Rodgers Theatre Bag Policy

All bags are subject to inspection upon arrival at the Neil Simon Theatre. Luggage, shopping bags and other large bags that will not fit comfortably under your seat will not be allowed inside the theater. Do not leave personal bags including purses and backpacks unattended once inside the venue.

Richard Rodgers Theatre Dress Code

There is no dress code at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.

What are the rules for the Richard Rodgers Theatre?

Here are some additional rules for the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City:

• Arrive on time: Late seating is at the discretion of theater management. Late theatergoers seated in the front orchestra will be seated in the most undisrupted place in the theater for the first fifteen minutes before being escorted to their ticketed seat by an usher.
• No outside food or drink: The theater has three concession stands. There is an exception for food and drink necessary for medical reasons.
• Theater etiquette: Keep quiet, turn off your phone, don’t take photos or record, and stay seated. Talking, even whispering, distracts the audience and those on stage.
• Accessible seating: The theater is fully accessible with stair-free designated seats and accessible restrooms on the main floor.

Richard Rodgers Theatre Capacity and Seating Options

The Richard Rodgers Theatre has a seating capacity of 1,319, split between an orchestra and a front and rear mezzanine. The best seats at Richard Rodgers Theatre vary depending on the event and personal preferences. The Richard Rodgers Theatre seating chart can be viewed on Ticketmaster.

Food and Beverage Options at Richard Rodgers Theatre

The Richard Rodgers Theatre has three on-site bars that sell concessions, drinks and alcoholic beverages 30 minutes prior to showtime and during intermission — two in the main lobby and one behind the upper mezzanine. (Must be 21+ to purchase alcohol.) No outside food or drinks are permitted inside the theater.

Things to Do Near Richard Rodgers Theatre

There are many things to do near the Richard Rodgers Theatre, including museums, parks, and other attractions around New York City:

• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): A renowned museum with a collection of modern and contemporary art
• Rockefeller Center: A complex with the Top of the Rock observation deck, ice skating rink, and Radio City Music Hall
• Central Park: A serene park with walking paths, gardens, and historical landmarks
• Columbus Circle: A major landmark and transportation hub at the southwestern corner of Central Park, complete with a giant shopping mall and restaurants.

Hotels Near Richard Rodgers Theatre

• New York Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
• SpringHill Suites New York Manhattan Times Square, 223 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
• W New York – Times Square, 1567 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
• Hotel Edison, 228 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036
• Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel, Two Times Square 714 Seventh Ave At, W 48th St, New York, NY 10036
• Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square, 1568 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
• The Times Square EDITION, 701 7th Ave, New York, NY 10036
• The Muse New York, 130 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036

Restaurants Near Richard Rodgers Theatre

• Trattoria Trecolori, 254 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036
• La Masseria NY, 235 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036
• Connolly’s, 121 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036
• Carmine’s, 200 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036
• Oceana, 120 W 49th St, New York, NY 10020
• Birdland Jazz Club, 315 W 44th St #5402, New York, NY 10036
• Ellen’s Stardust Diner, 1650 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
• Via Brasil NYC, 34 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036