Way Down, Hadestown: Step Inside Walter Kerr Theatre

The Walter Kerr Theatre has been a fixture in New York City since 1921, when it opened as part of the Shubert brothers’ development of the Theater District in the wake of World War I.

The theater’s box office is located at 219 W 48th St between Broadway and 8th Ave, and is open Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tuesday 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 Marquis Theatre, from the history of its major productions to its seating capacity, admission policies and more.

What Events Are Coming Up at Walter Kerr Theatre?

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

Walter Kerr Theatre History

The Walter Kerr Theatre opened March 21, 1921. Then known as the Ritz Theatre, the venue was built by the Shuberts as part of a planned six-theatre complex along 48th and 49th St. Ultimately only four of the theaters were completed, with three remaining operational more than a century later.

Theatrical producer William Harris Jr. operated the Ritz for the first decade of its history, before it was leased to the Works Progress Administration as part of the Federal Theatre Project from 1936 to 1939. After the Great Depression-era project was dissolved, the theater became a broadcasting studio for both CBS and NBC. Following a brief stint mounting shows again in the early ‘40s, the Ritz was then taken over by ABC, which used it as a broadcasting studio until 1965.

At the dawn of the ‘70s, the Ritz had been abandoned for half a decade. Broadway actor Eddie Bracken leased it in 1970 with the intention of returning it to a proper playhouse, but that deal was ultimately short-lived. For the rest of the decade, the venue operated as everything from a pornographic theater and vaudeville house to a children’s theater and a warehouse for storing posters.

Jujamcyn acquired the space in 1981 and renovated it for a reported $1.5 million. In May 1983, the Ritz officially reopened by hosting juggling and comedy act The Flying Karamazov Brothers. Throughout the decade, it only welcomed three other productions: Ian McKellan’s one-man show Acting Shakespeare, Penn & Teller’s eponymous magic act and the 1989 musical Chu Chem.

Another renovation took place in 1990, and the theater was renamed to honor American theater critic Walter Kerr. Since then, it has had seven Tony winners for Best Play grace its stage: Angels in America: Millennium Approaches (1993), Angels in America: Perestroika (1994), Love! Valour! Compassion! (1995), Proof (2001), Take Me Out (2003), Doubt (2005) and Clybourne Park (2012).

Other major productions at the Walter Kerr Theatre include Grey Gardens, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (which won the Tony for Best Musical in 2014), the 2009 revival of A Little Night Music, the 2016 staging of The Crucible, the 2016 revival of Falsettos and Bruce Springsteen’s 2017-2018 concert residency Springsteen on Broadway. Since 2019, the theater has been home to Hadestown, which won eight Tony Awards that year including Best Musical.

Parking and Admission at Walter Kerr Theatre

There is no designated on-site parking at the Walter Kerr 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 Walter Kerr Theatre include weapons of any kind including firearms, tasers, knives, mace and pepper spray, outside food or beverages, personal alarms, glass bottles or containers, lighters, bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters, photography, video and/or sound recording equipment, and drugs, alcohol or any illegal substances.

Walter Kerr Theatre Bag Policy

All bags are subject to inspection upon arrival at the theater. All bags should fit comfortably beneath your seat.

Walter Kerr Theatre Dress Code

There is no dress code at the Walter Kerr Theatre.

What are the rules for the Walter Kerr Theatre?

Here are some additional rules for the Walter Kerr 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 accessible seating — including wheelchair accessible seating, aisle transfer seating and vision/hearing accessible seating — in the orchestra section (pending availability). An accessible restroom is located on the orchestra level of the theater as well.

Walter Kerr Theatre Capacity and Seating Options

The Walter Kerr Theatre has a total seating capacity of 975, split between an orchestra level and an upper mezzanine. The best seats at Walter Kerr Theatre vary depending on the event and personal preferences. The Walter Kerr Theatre seating chart can be viewed on Ticketmaster.

Food and Beverage Options at Walter Kerr Theatre

Cocktails, snacks and nonalcoholic beverages are available for purchase at bars on the orchestra and mezzanine levels of the theater both 30 minutes before showtime and during intermission.

Things to Do Near Walter Kerr Theatre

There are many things to do near the Walter Kerr 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 Walter Kerr Theatre

• Hilton Garden Inn Times Square, 790 8th Ave, New York, NY 10019
• Mayfair Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection, 242 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019
• The Time New York – JDV by Hyatt, 224 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019
• The Pearl Hotel New York, 233 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019
• W New York – Times Square, 1567 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
• SpringHill Suites New York Manhattan Times Square, 223 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
• Paramount Hotel Times Square, 235 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
• New York Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, New York, NY 10036

Restaurants Near Walter Kerr Theatre

• La Masseria NY, 235 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036
• P.S. Kitchen, 246 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036
• Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery, 1515 Broadway, W 45th St, New York, NY 10036
• Ellen’s Stardust Diner, 1650 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
• Carnegie Diner & Cafe, 828 8th Ave, New York, NY 10019
• Sir Henry’s, 795 8th Ave, New York, NY 10019
• Kyuramen – Times Square, 315 W 46th St Floor 1, New York, NY 10036
• Lillie’s Victorian Establishment, 249 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019