Step Inside: The Majesty of the Minskoff Theatre

Perched majestically on the third floor of One Astor Plaza at 1515 Broadway in NYC, the Minskoff Theatre is not just any ordinary den for Broadway shows. The venue has roared with the echoes of iconic performances like Sunset Boulevard and West Side Story, but it truly made a mark when it welcomed Disney’s musical masterpiece, The Lion King, into its kingdom. From the heart of the jungle to the heart of Broadway, the theater has been a roaring success, bringing the circle of life to audiences eight times a week.

The Minskoff box office is located on the corner of Broadway and 45th 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. on one-show days and 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m on two-show days.

What Events Are Coming Up at Minskoff Theatre?

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

Minskoff Theatre History

The Minskoff Theatre opened in 1973 in Manhattan’s Theater District. Located on the third floor of One Astor Plaza at 1515 Broadway, the venue is one of the few Broadway theaters built inside another building. The first production to go up at the Minskoff was a revival of the musical Irene starring Debbie Reynolds. However, within months, several dancers in the production were injured due to falling off the stage — prompting crucial improvements to be made to the structure.

Throughout the rest of the decade, the theater was home to revues headlined by Tony Bennett and Lena Horne, Bette Midler, Dame Cleo Laine, Shirley Bassey, Engelbert Humperdinck and the Merce Cunningham Dance Company as well as the first revival of Hello, Dolly! and more.

Speaking of revivals, the theater has a long history of re-staging popular musicals. In 1980, the Broadway revival of West Side Story opened at the Minskoff, directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. Other revivals of note include 1986’s Sweet Charity (helmed by Bob Fosse and starring Debbie Allen and Bebe Neuwirth), 1987’s Cabaret, 1991’s short-lived Peter Pan and 1993’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Following Joseph’s closing in the spring of 1994, Andrew Lloyd Webber brought another original musical to the Minskoff: The original Broadway production of Sunset Boulevard, which went on to win seven Tony Awards including Best Musical. The lavish story of Norma Desmond starring Glenn Close was then followed by Frank Wildhorn’s The Scarlet Pimpernel in 1997 and the 2004 revival of Fiddler on the Roof.

Since 2006, the Minskoff has been home to The Lion King, which moved into the space after nearly a decade at New Amsterdam Theatre. The live-action Disney adaptation remains the third longest-running show in Broadway history, as well as the highest-grossing Broadway production of all time with a gross of nearly $2 billion.

The Lion King has a runtime of approximately two hours and thirty minutes, including one intermission. Learn more about the show on The Lion King’s official website.

Parking & Admission at Minskoff Theatre

There is no designated on-site parking at the Minskoff Theatre. However, there are numerous parking options in the Broadway Theater District. Various parking options in the Times Square area can be viewed via SpotHero. Taxis can also stop outside the theater for dropoff and pickup.

Items prohibited inside the Minskoff Theatre include weapons of any kind (such as firearms, ammunition, knives, mace, scissors, etc.), any illegal substances, outside food and/or beverages, cameras with detachable lenses and professional audio and/or video recording equipment and more. For a complete list of prohibited items and other policies, please review the Minskoff Theatre’s Rules page ahead of your visit.

Minskoff Theatre Bag Policy

All bags are subject to inspection upon arrival at the Minskoff Theatre. Large bags and backpacks are not allowed in the venue.

Minskoff Theatre Dress Code

There is no dress code at the Minskoff Theatre.

Minskoff Theatre Capacity & Seating Options

Minskoff Theatre has a capacity of 1,710 seats divided between an Orchestra and a smaller Mezzanine.

What Are the Best Seats at Minskoff Theatre?

The best seats at Minskoff Theatre vary depending on the event and personal preferences. The Minskoff Theatre seating chart can be viewed on Ticketmaster.

Things to Do Near Minskoff Theatre

There’s nowhere that the hustle and bustle of New York City comes alive more than in the Theater District, and there’s so much to see and do before or after your show at Minskoff Theatre.

Take in the iconic views of Times Square; go shopping at Forever 21, the Disney flagship store, Old Navy, Gap, Express or H&M; walk a few blocks southeast to Bryant Park and the New York Public Library; check out popular destinations like Madame Tussauds New York wax museum or Dave & Buster’s; see a movie at the AMC Empire 25 or be entertained by the vendors, buskers and other performers in the heart of Times Square.

Hotels Near Minskoff Theatre

New York City’s Theater District has dozens of hotels for visitors to choose from. Below are a number of options within just a few blocks of the Minskoff Theatre:

• New York Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
• W New York — Times Square, 1567 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
• Paramount Hotel Times Square, 235 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
• Hotel Edison, 228 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036
• Millennium Hotel Broadway Times Square, 145 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036
• The Muse New York, 136 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
• Sanctuary Hotel New York, 132 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036
• Tempo by Hilton Times Square, 1568 Broadway, New York, NY 10036

Restaurants Near Minskoff Theatre

New York City is home to cuisine from all across the globe and options for a great meal near Minskoff Theatre are nearly endless — from a quick bite on the go to a nice, sit-down meal before or after the show.

Below are a number of dining options in the Times Square area within walking distance from Minskoff Theatre:

• Junior’s, 1515 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
• Carmine’s, 200 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036
• Hard Rock Cafe New York, 1501 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
• Cafe Un Deux Trois, 123 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036
• Dos Caminos, 1567 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
• Bond 45 NY, 221 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
• Raising Cane’s, 1501 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
• Virgil’s Real BBQ, 152 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036