Step Inside Broadway Theatre and Be Dazzled By The Great Gatsby

There are 41 professional Broadway theaters that make up New York City’s Theater District, but only one is christened with the name of Broadway itself. Located on the southwest corner of Broadway and 53rd St, the century-old Broadway Theatre is one of the few remaining theaters with an address physically on the city’s busiest thoroughfare.

The Broadway Theatre’s box office is located at 1681 Broadway, between 52nd and 53rd St, and is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Below, dive into everything you need to know about the Broadway Theatre, from its history and the major hits that have played there over the years to its seating capacity, admission policies and more.

What Events Are Coming Up at Broadway Theatre?

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Broadway Theatre History

The Broadway Theatre was built by architect Eugene de Rosa for movie mogul B.S. Ross. Then known as the Colony Theatre, the venue opened on Christmas Day and was originally operated as a movie theater leased to Universal Pictures. One of the most important films shown during the theater’s earliest days was Disney’s Steamboat Willie, the first animated film to feature Mickey Mouse.

By 1930, the theater had been renovated to also include live theater, and was purchased by the Shubert family by the end of the decade after premiering Disney’s Fantasia. Prior to the Shuberts’ acquisition, the space was known by a number of other names, including B.S. Moss’s Broadway Theatre, Earl Carroll’s Broadway Theatre and Ciné Roma, when it briefly showed Italian films starting in 1937.

For another brief period in the 1950s, the Broadway was used as a Cinerama movie theater, but has been a legitimate Broadway house ever since. Some of its major successes include well-loved Broadway classics like Oklahoma!, Kiss Me, Kate, South Pacific, West Side Story, Gypsy, The Music Man, My Fair Lady, Annie Get Your Gun, Funny Girl, Mame, Guys and Dolls, The Wiz, Evita, and The King and I.

In the mid-1980s, the Shuberts commissioned a major renovation of the theater, which was followed by the original Broadway production of Les Miserables in March 1987. A few years later, Les Mis relocated to the Imperial Theatre to make way for the premiere of Miss Saigon, which opened in the spring of 1991 and ran through January 2001 for a total of 4,095 performances.

Major hits at the Broadway throughout the 21st century include The Color Purple, Shrek The Musical, Promises, Promises, Sister Act, Cinderella, Fiddler on the Roof, Miss Saigon (2017 revival), King Kong, West Side Story and Here Lies Love. Currently, the Broadway Theatre is home to the Tony-nominated musical adaptation of The Great Gatsby starring Jeremy Jordan and Eva Noblezada.

Parking and Admission at Broadway Theatre

There is no designated on-site parking at the Broadway 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 Broadway Theatre include weapons of any kind, outside food or beverages, electric scooters, e-bikes or battery-powered transportation devices, with expectations made for those medically necessary.

Broadway Theatre Bag Policy

All bags are subject to inspection upon arrival at the Broadway 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.

Broadway Theatre Dress Code

There is no dress code at the Broadway Theatre.

What are the rules for the Broadway Theatre?

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

• Arrive on time: Late seating is at the discretion of theater management.
• No outside food or drink: The theater has multiple 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 has wheelchair-view seating in the orchestra section (pending availability) and other accessible seating with folding armrests in the mezzanine. A wheelchair accessible restroom is located on the lobby level of the theater. Shubert Audience Services can be contacted ahead of each show to help accommodate patrons with a wide range of accessibility needs.

Broadway Theatre Capacity and Seating Options

The Broadway Theatre has a total capacity of 1,763 seats split between an orchestra level, an upper mezzanine and box seats. The best seats at the Broadway vary depending on the event and personal preferences.

Food and Beverage Options at Broadway Theatre

The Broadway Theatre offers cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages and light snacks for purchase ahead of each show and during intermission at multiple concession stands and bars located throughout the theater.

Things to Do Near Broadway Theatre

There are many things to do near the Broadway Theatre, including museums, parks, and other attractions:

• 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 Broadway Theatre

• Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, 811 7th Ave, W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
• M Social Hotel New York Times Square, 226 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019
• Ameritania Hotel at Times Square, 230 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019
• Hilton Garden Inn New York/Central Park South-Midtown West, 237 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019
• Courtyard New York Manhattan/Central Park, 1717 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
• Dream Midtown by Hyatt, 210 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019
• WestHouse Hotel New York, 201 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019
• The Luxury Collection Hotel Manhattan Midtown, 151 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019

Restaurants Near Broadway Theatre

• La Grande Boucherie, 145 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
• Redeye Grill, 890 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019
• Trattoria Dell’Arte, 900 7th Ave, New York, NY 10106
• Quality Bistro, 120 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019
• Ellen’s Stardust Diner, 1650 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
• Saar Indian Cuisine & Bar, 241 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019
• Azalea, 224 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019
• Le Bernardin, 155 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019